Abstract
The relationship between chemical concentrations in indoor air and the human sense of comfort and relaxation have been reported. We investigated the effect of the sum of volatile organic compounds (ΣVOCs; sum of 79 VOCs) on the level of relaxation in two laboratory houses with almost identical interior and exterior appearances. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was monitored to evaluate the degree of personal relaxation objectively. The experiments were conducted in laboratory houses (LH) A and B with lower and higher levels of ΣVOCs, respectively. A total of 168 healthy volunteers participated, who each performed the task for 20 min, followed by a 10-min break, and EEG was measured during the break. Simultaneously as subjective evaluations, the participants were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding the intensity of odor and preference for the air quality in each LH. The subjective evaluation showed a significant association between ΣVOCs and participants’ relaxation (OR: 2.86, 95%CI: 1.24–6.61), and the objective evaluation indicated that the participants were more relaxed in the LH with lower levels of ΣVOCs than that with higher levels (OR: 3.03, 95%CI: 1.23–7.50). Therefore, the reduction of ΣVOCs and odors in indoor air would have an effect, which is the promotion of relaxation.
Highlights
Improving the air quality of indoor spaces can prevent diseases and symptoms [1,2].For example, reducing the concentration of sum of volatile organic compounds (ΣVOCs) in living environments and the odor of specific chemicals can reduce the occurrence of building related symptoms (BRSs) [3,4]
Reducing the concentration of sum of volatile organic compounds (ΣVOCs) in living environments and the odor of specific chemicals can reduce the occurrence of building related symptoms (BRSs) [3,4]
The results are stratified into laboratory houses (LH)-A and LH-B
Summary
Improving the air quality of indoor spaces can prevent diseases and symptoms [1,2]. Reducing the concentration of sum of volatile organic compounds (ΣVOCs) in living environments and the odor of specific chemicals can reduce the occurrence of building related symptoms (BRSs) [3,4]. Lifestyle changes such as frequent ventilation and cleaning were shown to reduce the occurrence of BRSs, asthma, and other allergic symptoms [5,6,7,8,9]. Very recently, improving the indoor-air environment through ventilation has proven effective against COVID19 infection [10,11]. The indoor environment is known to affect daily life and production efficiency.
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