Probability of Abnormal Indoor Air Exposure Categories Compared with Occupants’ Symptoms, Health Information, and Psychosocial Work Environment

Katja Tähtinen,Sanna Lappalainen,Kirsi Karvala,Marjaana Lahtinen,Heidi Salonen

doi:10.3390/app9010099

Katja Tähtinen, Sanna Lappalainen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app9010099

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Abstract

Indoor air problems are complicated and need to be approached from many perspectives. In this research, we studied the association of four-level categorisation of the probability of abnormal indoor air (IA) exposure with the work environment-related symptoms, group-level health information and psychosocial work environment of employees. We also evaluated the multiprofessional IA group assessment of the current indoor air quality (IAQ) of the hospital premises. We found no statistical association between the four-level categorisation of the probability of abnormal IA exposure and the employees’ perceived symptoms, health information, and perceived psychosocial work environment. However, the results showed a statistical association between perceived symptoms and man-made vitreous fibre sources in ventilation. Furthermore, extensive impurity sources in the premises increased the employees’ contact with health services and their perceived symptoms. The employees perceived stress and symptoms in all categories of abnormal IA exposure, which may be related to IAQ or other factors affecting human experience. Prolonged process management may influence users’ experiences of IAQ. The results suggest that an extensive impurity source in premises does not always associate with the prevalence of perceived symptoms. We conclude that indoor air questionnaires alone cannot determine the urgency of the measures required.

Highlights

To assess the health significance, urgency, and extent of required indoor air quality (IAQ) measures, property owners and occupational health and safety professionals need reliable information on the buildings’ conditions and impurity sources
In the case of forty building floors or sections, the assessment of the probability of abnormal IA exposure and IA questionnaire could both be conducted in the same areas
The higher the assessed category of probability of abnormal IA exposure, the more insufficient the ventilation was, the more often the lifespan of the ventilation system was exceeded and the more often Man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) sources were detected in the ventilation system from the categories likely and very likely (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

To assess the health significance, urgency, and extent of required indoor air quality (IAQ) measures, property owners and occupational health and safety professionals need reliable information on the buildings’ conditions and impurity sources. Information is needed regarding the experiences and health of the users of the premises, and on the cooperation in indoor air (IA) solution processes. When all the factors affecting the IAQ problem have been properly assessed, the degree, timing, and possible prioritisation of measures can be decided on. Timed and targeted measures have important implications for the economy, health, and well-being. IAQ problems can be controlled and good IAQ achieved if (i) the factors affecting the indoor environment are under control, (ii) the indoor environment is perceived as good and healthy [1,2,3], and (iii) good practices are in place for maintaining the indoor environment and solving indoor air (IA) problems [3,4].

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