Indoor climate and air quality in new offices: effects of a reduced air-exchange rate

Abstract

In response to a request from the personnel of a credit bank that had been moved into a new building, an evaluation was made of employee health complaints. The prevalence of symptoms was determined using a self-administered questionnaire. Ventilation effectiveness, contaminant concentrations (which included chemicals and bioaerosols) and microclimate were studied to establish their relationship to environmental discomfort and to the health problems mentioned by the employees. Indoor air quality--which was assessed in different seasons--revealed relatively high levels of carbon dioxide and bioaerosols in areas occupied by employees as compared with other places. Temperature and humidity were considered to be satisfactory. Although a causative agent was not isolated, the authors conclude that an ineffective rate of room air exchange, possibly in interaction with chemical contaminants, may be responsible for the discomfort and, perhaps, for the health symptoms experienced by workers in fully enclosed rooms.