When the Alberta Court of Appeal reopened after a renovation in 2001 to make the building more energy-efficient, it didn't take 
long before occupants started noticing problems. Judges, lawyers, and others complained of fatigue, irritated lungs, and watery eyes. A professor of architecture asked to investigate the problem said that 'within a couple of weeks, we shut down the whole courthouse,' says reporter Umair Irfan. The retrofitting that had so thoroughly sealed the building 'helped cut energy costs but also trapped humidity inside that would otherwise have dried out in drafty air. Without adequate vapor barriers and ventilation, a toxic blend of mold grew in the walls,' Irfan explains. More education is needed in the building industry and among home owners on how to retrofit homes for greater energy savings. read more.
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