a non-toxic workplace

Most work environments present chemical challenges to health, the majority of which are unacknowledged.

People at particular risk are workers in heavy industry, occupants of "sick" buildings, agricultural workers, and veterans.

There are many anecdoctal stories of people becoming gravely ill and permanently disabled in sick buildings. In 1987, in the EPA's own building over 1000 employees became ill and some permanently disabled with chemical sensitivity after a new carpet was installed.

But because of inaction built into the system, there has been very little data on what a well building will accomplish for the health of employees. That has recently changed as data has begun to be tracked for LEED-rated buildings, a rating system designed by the US Green Building Council.

For example, an Australian law firm tracked before and after sick days after a move to a 5 green star rated building---a high rating in Australia---and found sick days reduced by 39% overall to .28 days per month.

Other benefits shown for highly-rated buildings are increased productivity, higher retention rates of employees, greater ease of recruitment. and higher employee morale.

There is a definite economic pay-off to employers who provide high quality work environments.

Frangrance in the workplace is the new second-hand smoke.