David Mudarri, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Penn. Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460 and Laura Kolb, MPH, Indoor Environments Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Mailcode 6609J, Washington, DC 20460, 202-343-9438, kolb.laura@epa.gov.

There is an emerging body of research that suggests a potentially strong relationship between indoor environmental conditions and absenteeism in both schools and office environments. In addition, it is becoming evident that indoor environmental conditions impact the ability of occupants to perform basic tasks while on the job. Both of these relationships have significant policy implications in that they impact worker productivity and student performance. The emerging evidence suggests two major routes of impact. The first implies that the ability to perform is itself a direct health outcome that is affected by environmental conditions, while the second suggests that other health effects (asthma, headache, lethargy) are the direct affects which in turn influence human performance and productivity.

The environmental conditions implicated in these relationships include environmental risk factors for respiratory health (e.g. moisture, water damage and microbiological pollutants; animal and other biological allergens, low ventilation rates, and certain chemical contaminants) and their associated affect on absenteeism, as well as the impact of various environmental conditions (low ventilation rates, the presence of pollution sources, elevated temperatures even within the comfort zone, respirable dust, and moisture/mold) on sick building syndrome symptoms (e.g. headache, irritation of the mucus membranes, lethargy), and their associated impact on mental functioning. Several studies also show improvements in health and/or performance resulting from mitigation measures (e.g. moisture control, improved ventilation, improved filtration, and certain housekeeping and maintenance functions).

This presentation will summarize both the direct and indirect evidence, suggest a policy framework for improving human performance and productivity based on this evidence, and identify areas of potentially fruitful research.

Learning Objectives:

• 1 - Participant will be able to summarize recent research suggesting a relationship between indoor environmental conditions and abseenteeism in schools and offices
• 2 - Learn about environmental conditions which may effect performance and be able to list at least five
• 3 - Learn about and discuss potential areas of fruitful research related to productivity and performance
• 4 - Be able to find three resources related to indoor environments and productivity/performance.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Air Quality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: will mention some resources from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency