The impact of different ventilation levels and fluorescent lighting types on building illness: an experimental study.

A two-part experimental study was conducted to identify antecedents of complaints from office workers in a sealed, air conditioned building. Building illness was documented as increased incidence of absenteeism and complaints among office workers in the study group compared to control subjects in a non-sealed building of a similar age. The second part monitored complaints and symptoms from subgroups when lighting was changed and when fresh air was introduced. Complaints and symptoms decreased with changes in air and lighting and increased again when previous conditions were established. This demonstrates that building illness is dependent on building design and operation.