THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION RATE, THE PREVALENCE OF SICK BUILDING SYNDROME, AND OCCUPANTS’ SATISFACTION IN NEW BUILDINGS

Abstract

Background The problem of air quality in new buildings is very important. People spend most of their time inside a building. Air pollution exposure through skin or breathing may occur within these structures. air quality exposure due to inadequate airflow may have an impact on sick building syndrome (SBS) incidences.

Objectives This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship among IAQ, ventilation rate, the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS), and occupants’ satisfaction in two new buildings: an office building and outpatient building. IAQ parameters, i.e., temperature, humidity, velocity, light, Carbon dioxide (CO₂), formaldehyde, Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and respirable dust concentrations, were measured. The demographic data, work experience, job information, SBS symptoms, and occupants’ satisfaction in IAQ were collected using a questionnaire. Chi-Square Test and Fisher's exact Test were used to test the relationship between the parameters mentioned above.

Results The highest prevalence rate was 47.3% for tiredness. Most of these occupants work in an area where the ventilation rates were lower than the recommended standard of ASHRAE 62.1-2019, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, standard of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Furthermore, it was found that non-complied IAQ parameters were significantly associated with symptoms (p < 0.05), e.g., temperature and CO₂ were correlated with headaches, while sickness was correlated with satisfaction of inappropriate temperature (p < 0.05).

Conclusion IAQ indicators, namely, temperature, CO2, and ventilation rate were associated with occupations’ symptoms and their IAQ satisfaction levels.