According to a recent study by KPMG and Middlesex University, high levels of CO2 in the air could be adversely affecting conditions in offices up and down the UK.

In modern office buildings - with sealed windows, draught exclusions and insulation - natural ventilation is minimal, causing air to be used, breathed and not replaced.

This is not a problem with an efficient and well-controlled air-conditioning system - but can become a problem if a system is not well maintained or is poorly designed in the first place.

Marc Knibbs, Technical Director of Air Conditioning Solutions (UK) Ltd said: "We have been concerned for some time that designers are paying too little attention to adequate ventilation in new buildings.

"With schools, in particular we frequently come across situations where a ventilation system adding fresh air to a room will radically improve the overall climate. In addition, companies forget about the need for fresh air in their computer server and technology areas.

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"Air Conditioning Solutions service over 1300 air conditioning units at least twice each year to ensure their heating and cooling is correctly maintained keeping CO2 emissions to a minimum," he said.

In the report, it said that while scientists have long suspected a link between rising levels of CO2 in the outdoor environment and global warming, carbon dioxide could cause problems indoors resulting in headaches, eye problems, nasal symptoms, respiratory tract conditions and general feelings of fatigue.

Typical office levels are in the range of 600-800ppm (parts per million) - but research shows that higher levels of CO2 could reduce concentration levels by as much as 30 percent.

At levels above 1,500ppm, 79 percent of people reported feeling tired and above 2000ppm nearly two thirds of participants reported having low levels of concentration. In addition, 97 percent of migraine sufferers reported symptoms at levels over 1000ppm.

KPMG's health and well-being manager, Julie Bennett, who conducted the research with Middlesex University, believes that high levels of carbon dioxide in offices are widespread.

If workers are feeling lethargic, apathetic or unable to concentrate in the office it may not be because of the routines and strains of their job - it could be because the levels of CO2 in the air around them are too high.

Air Conditioning Solutions (UK) Ltd has its main headquarters in Towcester Northants. The company founded by Managing Director David Knibbs, is a major installer of air conditioning equipment on behalf of Fujitsu, Mitsubishi and Daikin, in addition they will provide quotes and surveys for any type of air management and ventilation systems anywhere in the UK. For further details telephone: 01327 810510 or visit the website: www.airconsolutions.co.uk.

(JM)