The case for using symptom intensity feedback testing (SIFT) procedures to determine which of the available practical measures will be effective in improving the design or management of a problem building is presented. Instantaneous symptom intensity is estimated by the occupants using visual analogue scales which have been validated against objective measures of symptom intensity. Intervention experiments are carried out in all or in parts of the actual building. The use of control groups and, where possible, placebo groups, ensures that occupants' reports are unbiased by long-standing griev ances. A number of practical conclusions are then drawn from a review of the scientific literature concerning thermal conditions, artificial humidification, dust, sick building syndrome, sensations of dryness and the benefits and cur rently available means of providing individual control of the microclimate.
Preller L., Zweers T., Brunekreef B., Bolej Jsm: Sick leave due to work-related health complaints among office workers in the Netherlands. Indoor Air1990; 1:227-230.
2.
Wyon DP: Sick buildings and the experimental approach. Environ Technol1992;13:313-322.
3.
Wyon DP: Healthy buildings and their impact on productivity. Indoor Air1993;6:3-13.
4.
Raw GJ, Roys MS, Leaman A.: Further findings from the office environment survey: Productivity . Indoor Air1990;1:231-236.
5.
Gravesen S., Skov P., Valbjørn O., Løwenstein H.: The role of potential immunogenic components of dust (MOD) in the sick-building syndrome. Indoor Air1990; 1:9-13.
6.
Wyon DP, Andersson B., Söderling M.: Field Trials of Technical Measures to Reduce Sick Building Syndrome (in Swedish, with English summary). Malmö, Malmö General Hospital, 1991.
7.
Wyon DP, Kok R., Lewis MI, Meese GB: Effects of moderate cold and heat stress on the performance of factory workers in Southern Africa. 1: Introduction to a series of full-scale simulation studies. S Afr JSci1982 ;78:184-189.
8.
Meese GB, Kok R., Lewis MI, Wyon DP: Effects of moderate cold and heat stress on factory workers in Southern Africa. 2: Skill and performance in the cold. S Afr JSci1982 ;78:189-197.
9.
Wyon DP: The Effects of Moderate Heat Stress on the Mental Performance of Children . Gävle, Swedish Building Research , D8, 1969.
10.
Wyon DP, Holmberg I.: The Dependence of Performance in School on Classroom Temperature. Educational and Psychological Interactions. Malmö, School of Education, vol 31, 1969.
11.
Wyon DP: The effects of moderate heat stress on typewriting performance. Ergonomics1974; 17:309-318.
12.
Wyon DP, Andersen I., Lundqvist GR: The effects of moderate heat stress on mental performance. Scand J Work Environ Health1979; 5:352-361.
13.
Wyon DP: The effects of indoor climate on productivity and performance (in Swedish; English version from author). VVS Energi1986 ;3: 59-65.
14.
Rasmussen OB : Man's subjective perception of air humidity . 5th Int HVAC Conf, Copenhagen1971, pp 79-86.
15.
Andersen I. , Lundqvist GR, Jensen PL, Proctor DF: Human response to 78-hour exposure to dry air. Arch Environ Health1974 ;29:319-324.
16.
Andersson LO , Frisk P., Löfstedt B., Wyon DP: Human Responses to Dry, Humidified and Intermittently Humidified Air in Large Office Buildings. Gävle, Swedish Building Research, D11, 1975 .
17.
Jaakkola Jjk , Heinonen OP, Seppänen O.: Sick building syndrome, sensation of dryness and thermal comfort in relation to room temperature in an office building: Need for individual control of air temperature. Environ Int1989; 15:163-168.
18.
Krogstad AL, Swanbeck G., Barregård L., Hag-berg S., Rynell KB, Ran A., Andersson NH, Calås B., Håkansson Y., Jorulf L., Lindberg G., Persson Å., Samuelsson G.: Besvär vid kontorsarbete med olika temperaturer i arbetslokalen - en prospektiv undersökning. (A prospective study of indoor climate problems at different temperatures in offices.)Göteborg, Volvo Truck Corp, 405 08, 1991 .
19.
Wyon NM, Wyon DP: Measurement of acute response to draught in the eye. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 1987; 65:385-392.
20.
Wyon DP, Sandberg M.: Thermal manikin prediction of discomfort due to displacement ventilation (paper 3307). ASHRAE Trans1990; 96.
21.
Wyon DP: The ergonomics of healthy buildings: Overcoming barriers to productivity . Indoor Air Quality '91, Washington , 1991.
22.
Wyon DP: Ventilated floor systems with independent room air terminals as the basis of a healthy office environment. Healthy Buildings1988;3:127-136.
23.
Kroner W., Stark-Martin JA, Willemain T.: Using Advanced Office Technology to Increase Productivity: The Impact of Environmentally Responsive Work-Stations (ERWs) on Productivity and Worker Attitude. Troy, RensselaerPolytechnic Inst, 1992.
24.
Wyon DP, Thews J., Larsson S.: Individual micro-climate control for office workers: Case study. Int Benchmark Network Conf, Stockholm, 1991.
25.
Wyon DP: Use of thermal manikins in environmental ergonomics. Scand J Work Environ Health1988;15(suppl 1):84-94.
26.
Wyon DP, Tennstedt C., Lundgren I., Larsson S.: A new method for the detailed assessment of human heat balance in vehicles: Volvo's thermal manikin, VOLTMAN (paper 850042). Int Congr Soc Automotive Engineers, Detroit , 1985.
27.
Wyon DP, Larsson S., Forsgren B., Lundgren I.: Standard procedures for assessing vehicle climate with a thermal manikin . J Passenger Cars1989; 98:46-56.
28.
Thews J.: Klimatbord för kontor. (Ventilated office desk system.) Nytt från tekniska enheten, Stockholm, Byggnadsstyrelsen , 1991.
