Frequently, it is difficult to firmly establish the relationship between the symptoms and the work environment. This is not the whole story. Germ-caused illnesses, such as Legionnaire's Disease, which can lead to serious infection or even death, are often the result of indoor air pollution. Frequently, no single pollutant is present in unhealthy amounts, yet because there are so many pollutants present, the total effect may be unhealthy. Biological Agents Biological agents are present in the air almost everywhere, and are a common factor in office air pollution.
Biological agents can travel through the air and are often invisible.
They are usually inhaled, either alone or by attaching themselves to particles of dust and then entering the respiratory system. Infectious and noninfectious diseases can be caused by various biological agents. They can make you sneeze, trigger allergic reactions, cause rashes, watery eyes, hoarseness, coughing, dizziness, lethargy, breathing problems, and digestive problems. People with asthma are especially susceptible to allergic problems caused by biological agents. Their very sensitive airways can react to various allergens and irritants, making breathing difficult.