HEALTH SYMPTOMS AND THE WORK-ENVIRONMENT IN 4 NONPROBLEM UNITED-STATES OFFICE BUILDINGS

Objectives The objective of this study was to quantify health symptom reports in four ''nonproblem'' buildings and to assess the relationshi p between symptoms and air quality measures, workstation characteristi cs, and psychosocial aspects of the workplace. Methods Environmental s ampling was conducted in four office buildings occupied by employees w orking for the state of Washington in March of 1992. A questionnaire w as concurrently administered to building occupants. Results While meas ured contaminant levels were low, symptoms were frequent. Fifty-five p ercent of the 646 respondents reported recent symptoms which affected the eyes, nose, or throat and improved when away from work. Symptoms w ere not associated with measured contaminant levels, but, rather, with perceptions about air movement, dryness, odors, and noise. Psychosoci al factors were less strongly associated with symptoms. Conclusions Ev en in nonproblem buildings, symptom reports can be frequent and may re present overall satisfaction with the work environment. In response to symptoms ascribed to air quality problems, it may be appropriate to a ddress employee perceptions regarding the work environment in addition to evaluating environmental characteristics relating to chemicals, bi ological contamination, air movement, temperature, and humidity. Key t erms epidemiology, general symptoms, indoor air quality, mucosal irrit ation, office work.