When we think about green buildings, we are often interested in aspects like energy consumption and efficient energy usage to minimize the environmental impact.
While these are critical elements, we often overlook how green buildings also impact the health, wellbeing and productivity of their occupants.
If your workplace is in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, you will probably notice very poor management of air conditioned facilities with employees wearing a sweater of being sick.
Studies have linked air conditioning use to increased sickness in office workers and more frequent visits to ear, nose and throat specialists.
While air conditioners cannot account for the lower humidity aspect of the cold-causing viruses, as the New York Times reports, air conditioners can dehydrate the mucous membranes of the nostrils, which could make the nose a more attractive environment for viral reproduction. So perhaps blasting your air conditioner can make your body somewhat more susceptible to infection.
Employees spend a majority of their workday indoors, and providing a healthy work…
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