Just what is "good" indoor air quality?

At the core of the issue is the effect of indoor air components - microbiological, chemical or particulate - on the well-being and productivity of the occupants.  It is well documented that poor indoor air quality may adversely affect both health and productivity.  In this context, allergic reactions, exacerbation of asthmatic responses, and fatigue are clearly negative impacts.  To achieve  good  indoor air quality, we must eliminate those elements from the indoor environment that contribute to making the occupants ill or unproductive.

I have been working in what has been described as a sick building.  Have I been permanently harmed?

Repeated exposure to the same substance can cause hypersensitivity or allergies.

Yes, you have been permanently affected.  Every one is different, the way people react to different environmental elements is different for everyone.  The fact that it doesn't affect us all is used as a good reason not to initiate a resolution to the buildings issues.  Harder still, to prove the cause when testing and statistics are collected.  They are grouped into categories such as pneumonia that includes legionnaires and humidifier fever.  It is unfortunate that asking a simple question provides no "real" answer when you wish to be informed of a potential risk.

Many people would like to know if they were moving into a job, community or area that had many causes of death or health related issues.  They do not want to move themselves or their families to a community that can affect their health in a negative way.  It is easy to profile a community to see if you really want to live there?  No.  It takes much time and research that you would need to compile on your own.  You can hire someone to do that work for you and you will still not gain access to all of the information but you will gain a clearer picture to base a decision on.

What chemicals should I be alerted to?

Some of the "usual suspects" are formaldehyde, ozone, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and other combustion products.  The mix of numerous chemical constituents can make identification difficult.  Typical concentration of chemicals in non-industrial environments are usually well below individual chemical standards developed for industrial workers.

Usually, the there is an issue with chemicals in photo copiers that are being used continuously and have not been exhausted to the out-doors.  Besides that, the only time when chemicals cause problems are during the cleaning operation or renovations of parts of the building where proper precautions have not been taken.  Sometimes the operations in the facilities change without proper engineering designs, the plans are then not followed.