The most egregious example may be the design of office cubicles, which from an indoor environmental health standpoint are considered by some to be the scourge of contemporary commercial practice. From a clinical health viewpoint, clustering workers in adjoining cubicles is like clustering children in grade-school classrooms, a ripe environment for the communication of various illnesses. The more difficult an area is to clean, the less likely it is to be cleaned. Vertical piles of papers and books have the potential to accumulate substantial quantities of dust. When they are moved, particles are discharged into the air, and short-term exposures can be high.
Walkoff mats are important at entrances.
These should be of sufficient size to assure at least four footfalls before stepping onto interior flooring. Walkoff mats also require frequent vacuuming and regular deep cleaning. Routine maintenance and cleaning of the ventilation system also is important, and it is critical that HVAC systems are designed and installed with long-term maintenance considerations in mind. Filters must be replaced regularly, and systems need to be inspected for standing water. Leaks or plugged drains can lead to fungal and bacterial growth, creating the potential for microbiological debris to be periodically aerosolized and dispersed into the building.