Occupant symptoms are the primary means by which a building operator usually becomes aware of IAQ problems in the building. These often begin as innocent complaints and can escalate to the point where extremely damaging publicity, occupant lawsuits, and even evacuation of buildings can occur. The primary focus of this article will explore symptoms commonly associated with IAQ problems in buildings, as well as their likely sources of contamination. Additionally, the role of biological contaminants has been of growing concern as compared to the traditional nonbiological contaminants, such as organic chemicals, particulate matter, and toxic gases, which have been previously recognized as primary concerns.
Typically, nuisance odors have minimal health impact when compared to other occupant complaints, although they may serve as important warning signals of an imminent IAQ problem.