Economic Consequences

Indoor air quality (IAQ) affects the quality of life by increasing the risks for health problems and reduced work performance. Consequently, different societal costs are incurred. By reducing pollutants elevating exposures indoors, and improving IAQ, these costs can be reduced or avoided. This chapter attempts to summarize the evidence and the methods for estimating the costs and economic consequences of poor IAQ affecting work performance. The value of lost work is discussed considering discomfort and health, absence from work (absenteeism), or working with limitations due to illness (presenteeism). The impact of air quality and other environmental factors on work performed at home is also presented as a hypothesis, but this evidence is limited.