A friend of mine works in an open-plan office in a 1960s building that has windows which do not open.
My friend and a lot of the other people in the office have significant eye problems due to the dryness of the air. Ventilation in the office is provided by vents which are beneath the windows, hot or cold air comes out of these vents, depending on the weather etc.
My friend has tried to increase the humidity of the air by buying a humidifier, plants, and even by spreading out wet cloths - it is like trying to light the Albert Hall using a candle. The humidity level on a humidity meter usually reads about 30% and I understand that an acceptable level is more like 50% to 70%.
I don't know whether the ventilation system could be described as air conditioning, but I wonder whether, when it was originally installed, it was designed to provide some level of humidification for the building. If it was, then I wonder whether that humidification facility could be reinstated?
It seems to me that the only way to deal with this problem is to increase the humidity as I have described above, or by "simply" fitting windows that open. The current windows go from thigh-height to the ceiling.
I'd be interested in any comments anyone who has experience of dealing with excessively dry office environments may have. Also, has anyone any knowledge of how the ventilation system in a building like this would work or any thoughts on how to approach this problem from a legal/health and safety point of view as the building's owners seem reluctant to do anything.
Thanks