Poor air means poorly staff

Poor air quality is costing Australian businesses up to $2 billion a year in lost productivity, according to a CSIRO expert.

Dr Philip Paevere, of the CSIRO's Urban Systems program, says heating and cooling fresh air rather than recycled air can have a direct effect on staff well being.

Recent studies suggest workplaces with higher ventilation levels experience a reduction of 35 per cent in short-term absenteeism, The Age reports.

Researchers argue the extra energy costs required to heat and cool fresh air could easily be recouped by a reduction in sick days and lost productivity.