19-10-2012, 05:52 PM
Human Rights and Indoor Air Quality
Human Rights and Indoor Air Quality.docx (Size: 20.38 KB / Downloads: 24)
On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Within this declaration, Article 25 states that "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."
I am looking to give an idea of the problems associated with poor indoor air quality and ask why companies are still doing nothing to resolve these issues.
In 1984, a World Health Organization Committee report suggested that up to 30 percent of new and renovated buildings worldwide might be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality (IAQ). Often this condition is temporary, but some buildings have long-term problems. Commonly, problems result when a building is operated or maintained in a manner that is conflicting with its original design or approved operating procedures. Sometimes indoor air problems are a result of poor building design or occupant activities.
Modern offices are in the main considered safe and healthy working environments. However, during the 1970s the instigation of energy conservation minimized the penetration of outside air, which then contributed to the buildup of air contaminants from inside sources. Investigations often fail to identify harmful levels of toxic substances, and more often than not employee complaints are the result of poor air circulation, odours, and cigarette smoke, most of which has in fact been abolished from the workplace due to recent health and safety legislation. Other factors include humidity, lighting, noise, and even work area design. Some complaints are often subjective and may only affect one person and then only on a particular day.