Plagued by headaches, sneezing,
eye irritation and allergies? The conditions in your office might
be the culprit, says Jeffrey May, author of My Office Is
Killing Me! (www.press.jhu.edu) and an indoor air-quality expert
and building consultant. Among his recommendations for alleviating
symptoms:
Go for leather. Dust
and moisture can build up in fabric, promoting the growth of dust
mites. Swap that fabric-covered chair for a leather one.
Change the lights.
Fluorescent light fixtures have a tendency to flicker and hum,
which can cause headaches. Try using a plug-in desk lamp with an
incandescent bulb.
Careful with carpet.
Before installing new carpet, sniff-test a sample to determine if
you are sensitive to any chemicals in the fiber.
Stay dry. Mold thrives
in high humidity. If your work space is below ground level, where
humidity levels are typically higher, be sure it is consistently
heated to 64 degrees Fahrenheit in cold months, and run a
dehumidifier in the warmer months to keep it dry.