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Indirect Economic Effects of Vertical Indoor Green in the Context of Reduced Sick Leave in Offices

Author

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  • Jutta Hollands

    (Research Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, A-1040 Vienna, Austria)

  • Azra Korjenic

    (Research Unit of Ecological Building Technologies, Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, A-1040 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Low indoor humidity has been shown to influence the transmission of respiratory diseases via air. A certain proportion of sick leave in offices is therefore attributable to dryness of air. An improvement in these conditions thus means a reduction in sick leave, which is accompanied by cost savings for companies. Vertical indoor greening has a verifiable positive effect on air humidity, especially in winter months. In this article, the correlation between improved air humidity in greened rooms and reduction of sick leave due to improved air humidity was described. The resulting indirect economic effect was determined by comparing the costs for construction, green care, and technical maintenance of indoor greenery with savings due to lower sick leave. Based on long-term measurement data on air humidity and temperature, and actual cost values for three buildings, located in Vienna, Austria, with 6 greened and 3 reference rooms without greenery, the correlation of the method was derived and finally formulated in a generalized way using dimensioning factors. Only considering the influence on air humidity, profitability of 6.6 m 2 vertical greening installed in an example office with six workplaces equipped with technical ventilation and saving of two sick days already results after about 4.5 years.

Suggested Citation

  • Jutta Hollands & Azra Korjenic, 2021. "Indirect Economic Effects of Vertical Indoor Green in the Context of Reduced Sick Leave in Offices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2256-:d:502175
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mendell, M.J. & Fisk, W.J. & Kreiss, K. & Levin, H. & Alexander, D. & Cain, W.S. & Girman, J.R. & Hines, C.J. & Jensen, P.A. & Milton, D.K. & Rexroat, L.P. & Wallingford, K.M., 2002. "Improving the health of workers in indoor environments: Priority research needs for a National Occupational Research Agenda," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(9), pages 1430-1440.
    2. Thomas Leoni, 2019. "Fehlzeitenreport 2019. Krankheits- und unfallbedingte Fehlzeiten in Österreich – Die flexible Arbeitswelt: Arbeitszeit und Gesundheit," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 62103, March.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Pichlhöfer & Eldira Sesto & Jutta Hollands & Azra Korjenic, 2021. "Health-Related Benefits of Different Indoor Plant Species in a School Setting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-28, August.
    2. Katarina Cakyova & Marian Vertal & Jan Vystrcil & Ondrej Nespesny & David Beckovsky & Ales Rubina & Jan Pencik & Zuzana Vranayova, 2021. "The Synergy of Living and Water Wall in Indoor Environment—Case Study in City of Brno, Czech Republic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Jutta Hollands & Eldira Sesto & Azra Korjenic, 2022. "Thermal Comfort in a Greened Office Building: Investigation and Evaluation through Measurement and Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-27, November.

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