Health and safety in the office: 2 Available to Purchase

There is growing concern in the more affluent, developed countries about the possible relationship between the environment created in energy‐efficient, high‐tech, air‐conditioned buildings, and the health problems of occupants. Over the past decade there has been a considerable increase in interest shown in the indoor air quality of offices, due in the main to improvements in measuring indoor air contaminants, a greater understanding of the health effects and the fact that 80 to 90 per cent of people now spend their time indoors. There is also a greater public awareness of the need for an adequate working environment. It is significant that the increased involvement of unions in white collar areas of work has generated considerable debate on the subject of hazards in the office environment which coincides with the national and international concern now materialising.