Modern buildings are designed to be energy efficient to maintain temperature and save energy, but as a consequence of this they do not breathe. This allows air pollutants to accumulate inside a building as they cannot escape. Perfumes can contain hundreds of ingredients and are very potent additions to indoor air contamination. Recent studies have found that contaminants that were once thought only to be in outdoor air are present in indoors as well. In the case of ozone, this can be generated by office equipment.
Photocopiers are a major source of ozone contamination indoors.
All of these pollutants present together within any indoor environment area 'chemical cocktail', the result of which is called 'sick building syndrome'. Long periods of exposure to this 'chemical cocktail' can cause a large range of health problems, but there are things you can do to avoid these chemicals within your own home. When you are planning your home, ensure that the design has good cross-flow ventilation to maximise the air exchange rate. Ventilate Open your doors and windows as much as possible to allow indoor air pollutants to escape. Buildingmaterials Don't choose materials such as chipboard and insulation that will emit VOCs.