ASHRAE has recognized that polluted urban air, designated within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s air quality ratings as unacceptable, requires the installation of treatment such as filtration for which the HVAC practitioners generally apply carbon-impregnated filters and their likes. Different toxins will aggravate the human body in different ways. Some people are more allergic to mold, while others are highly sensitive to dust. Inadequate ventilation will exaggerate small problems (such as deteriorating fiberglass insulation or cooking fumes) into a much more serious indoor air quality problem. Common products such as paint, insulation, rigid foam, Particle Board, plywood, duct liners, exhaust fumes and other chemical contaminants from indoor or outdoor sources, and biological contaminants can be trapped inside by the HVAC AC system. As this air is recycled using fan coils the overall oxygenation ratio drops and becomes harmful. When combined with other stress factors such as traffic noise, poor lighting, inhabitants of<unk> s located in a polluted urban area can quickly become ill as their immune system is overwhelmed. Certain VOCs, considered toxic chemical contaminants to humans, are used as adhesives in all common<unk>  construction products. These aromatic carbon rings / VOCs can cause acute and chronic health effects on the occupants of a<unk> , including cancer, paralysis, lung failure, and others. Bacterial spores, fungal spores, mold spores, pollen, and viruses are types of biological contaminants and can all cause allergic reactions or illness described as<unk> . In addition, pollution from outdoors, such as motor vehicle exhaust, can infiltrate into poorly designed<unk> s and contribute to poor indoor air quality, high ppm of CO and CO2. Adult<unk>  symptoms were associated with a history of allergic rhinitis, eczema and asthma. A 2015 study concerning the association of<unk>  and indoor air pollutants in office<unk> s in Iran found that, as carbon dioxide levels increase in a<unk> , symptoms like nausea, headaches, nasal irritation, dyspnea, and throat dryness have also been shown to increase. Certain work conditions have been found to be correlated with specific symptoms. For example, higher light intensity was significantly related to skin dryness, eye pain, and malaise. Higher temperature has also been found to correlate with symptoms such as sneezing, skin redness, itchy eyes and headache, while lower relative humidity has been associated with sneezing, skin redness, and pain of the eyes. In 1973, in response to the oil crisis and conservation concerns, ASHRAE Standards 62-73 and 62-81 reduced required ventilation from per person to per person, but this was found to be a contributing factor to<unk> . As of the 2016 revision, ASHRAE ventilation standards call for 5 to 10 cubic feet per minute of ventilation per occupant (depending on the occupancy type) in addition to ventilation based on the zone floor area delivered to the breathing zone. Psychological factors One study looked at commercial<unk> s and their employees, comparing some environmental factors suspected of inducing<unk>  to a self-reported survey of the occupants, finding that the measured psycho-social circumstances appeared more influential than the tested environmental factors. The authors of that study pointed to the self-reported nature of the observations as a limitation of the research. Research has shown that<unk>  shares several symptoms common in other conditions thought to be at least partially caused by psychosomatic tendencies. The umbrella term "autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants" has been suggested. Other members of the suggested group include silicosis, macrophagic myofascitis, Gulf War syndrome, and post-vaccination phenomena. Workplace Greater effects were found with features of the psycho-social work environment including high job demands and low support. The report concluded that the physical environment of office<unk> s appears to be less important than features of the psycho-social work environment in explaining differences in the prevalence of symptoms. However, there is still a relationship between<unk>  and symptoms of workers regardless of workplace stress. Excessive work stress or dissatisfaction, poor interpersonal relationships and poor communication are often seen to be associated with<unk> , recent studies show that a combination of environmental sensitivity and stress can greatly contribute to<unk> . Specific work-related stressors are related with specific<unk>  symptoms. Workload and work conflict are significantly associated with general symptoms (headache, abnormal tiredness, sensation of cold or nausea). While crowded workspaces and low work satisfaction are associated with upper respiratory symptoms. Work productivity has been associated with ventilation rates, a contributing factor to<unk> , and there's a significant increase in production as ventilation rates increase, by 1.7% for every two-fold increase of ventilation rate. Printer effluent, released into the office air as ultra-fine particles (UFPs) as toner is burned during the printing process, may lead to certain<unk>  symptoms. Printer effluent may contain a variety of toxins to which a subset of office workers are sensitive, triggering<unk>  symptoms. Specific careers are also associated with specific<unk>  symptoms. Transport, communication, healthcare, and social workers have highest prevalence of general symptoms. Skin symptoms such as eczema, itching, and rashes on hands and face are associated with technical work. Forestry, agriculture, and sales workers have the lowest rates of<unk>  symptoms. From the assessment done by Fisk and Mudarri, 21% of asthma cases in the United States were caused by wet environments with mold that exist in all indoor environments, such as schools, office<unk> s, houses and apartments. Also found the exposure to the mold increases the chances of respiratory issues by 30 to 50 percent. Additionally, studies showing that health effects with dampness and mold in indoor environments found that increased risk of adverse health effects occurs with dampness or visible mold environments. Milton et al. determined the cost of<unk>  leave specific for one business was an estimated $480 per employee, and about five days of<unk>  leave per year could be attributed to low ventilation rates. When comparing low ventilation rate areas of the<unk>  to higher ventilation rate areas, the relative risk of short-term<unk>  leave was 1.53 times greater in the low ventilation areas. Home<unk>  can also occur due to factors of the home. Laminate flooring can cause more exposure to chemicals and more resulting<unk>  symptoms compared to stone, tile, and cement flooring. Recent redecorating and new furnishings within the last year were also found to be associated with increased symptoms, along with dampness and related factors, having pets, and the presence of cockroaches. The presence of mosquitoes was also a factor related to more symptoms, though it is unclear whether it was due to the presence of mosquitoes or the use of repellents. Mold Some studies have found that<unk>  may be associated with indoor mould or mycotoxin contamination. However, the attribution of<unk>  to mould is controversial and supported by little evidence. Reducing the dampness in all indoor environment will prevent all the respiratory issues caused by dampness and mold in indoor environment. Indoor temperature Indoor temperature under 18 °C (64 °F) has been shown to be associated with increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, increased blood levels, and increased hospitalization.
Sick building syndrome
FACES syndrome
Roemheld syndrome
Death-grip syndrome
Pfeiffer syndrome
MASA syndrome
Tension myositis syndrome
Raine syndrome