Respiratory infections present an important financial burden to employers. It is estimated that the cost to employers of patients with respiratory infections in the United States is more than $112 billion, including costs of medical treatment and time lost from work. (www.chestjournal.org)

In 1976 thousands of American Legionnaires were celebrating the bi-centennial at a hotel in Philadelphia. Weeks later, hundreds of them came down with respiratory illnesses. More than 30 died. The outbreak was traced to the ventilation system in the hotel. The bacteria related illness dubbed ‘Legionnaires Disease’ surfaces occasionally in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes and cruise ships. (www.mayoclinic.com)

According to the International Risk Management Institute (www.irmi.com) the cost of mold remediation has grown eight times since 2000.