Effect Of Indoor Environmental Quality Research Articles

Indoor Environmental Quality, Pupils’ Health, and Academic Performance—A Literature Review

Classrooms have more students per square meter than other buildings such as offices, making them more crowded. In addition, children respire more than adults and are in contact with one another more often. For appropriate student comfort, wellbeing, and health, including reducing the risk of transferring communicable diseases (for example, COVID-19) in the school setting, adequate ventilation and thermal comfort is recommended, along with regular cleaning, especially of high-contact surfaces. However, this may lead to increased energy usage, especially in mechanically ventilated schools. While natural ventilation conserves energy, its usage may be limited in temperate regions, especially during the cold seasons, as more energy will be required for heating in order to achieve thermal comfort. In the tropics, natural ventilation alone may be insufficient for students’ thermal comfort due to the possibility of unconditioned warm or cold outdoor air entering the classroom environment. Additionally, natural ventilation is difficult to control, as there may be overventilation or underventilation due to the ventilation rate being dependent on the outdoor environmental condition such as windspeed. This current traditional literature review appraises previous indoor environmental quality (IEQ) literature on ventilation, thermal comfort, moisture and mold, and cleanliness in schools. Furthermore, a further review was performed on the effect of IEQ (indoor air quality and thermal comfort) on student health and academic outcomes in order to summarize existing knowledge that can help other researchers avoid research duplication and identify research gaps for future school IEQ studies.

Effect of Indoor Environment on Occupant Air Comfort and Productivity in Office Buildings: A Response Surface Analysis Approach

Indoor air quality is a significant factor influencing occupant comfort, health and productivity. Indoor air comfort and its relationship to occupant comfort and productivity are widely documented. Statistical correlation between the two has been highlighted in scientific literature. This paper investigates any unique correlations between non-air quality parameters (such as lux level, temperature, and noise level) and indoor air comfort and presents a study investigating the effect of indoor environmental quality on occupant air comfort and productivity. This study was conducted by collecting data on indoor environmental parameters using remote sensors and an online survey for occupant responses for twelve months. Data analysis was performed using Response Surface Analysis to present mathematical relationships between indoor environmental quality parameters and occupant air comfort. Results show that carbon dioxide up to 600 ppm, VOC up to 25% (by volume) and humidity up to 60% have a positive impact on occupant air comfort and productivity. Our research highlighted that some non-air quality parameters, such as outdoor temperature and lux levels, affect occupant air comfort. These results would enable built environment professionals to design and operate offices (subtropical desert climate) conducive to occupant comfort and productivity.

Effect of Indoor Environmental Quality on Work Productivity in Educational Buildings: A Review.

Sustainable building provides an option of using resources efficiently and creating healthier environments for occupiers to live and work. Establishing a sustainable workplace has become a worldwide trend for minimizing adverse effects on the occupants and environment. A sustainable workplace is environmentally conscious, socially responsible, and resource-efficient. It necessitates an integrated, comprehensive strategy to develop work culture, decrease environmental consequences, and improve the workplace. As a result, certain educational facilities throughout the globe have adopted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation as a global standard for high-performing sustainable buildings. The literature assessment found that there is currently little research on environmental sustainability and how to improve the workplace successfully. It also shows that this notion is new to Saudi Arabia’s educational buildings, and the influence of LEED on staff performance and satisfaction has yet to be researched. Thus, this research paper investigates the main indoor environmental quality parameters adopted in studying occupants’ satisfaction in LEED-certified buildings. Such parameters are office layout, office furnishings, lighting, and acoustic quality. The study also investigates the effectiveness of workplace indoor environmental parameters on occupants’ performance. The research could help as a first step to certifying the building as LEED O+M (Operations and Maintenance for existing buildings). This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes enhancing living quality and safety, as reflected by employee performance and satisfaction.

The effect of indoor environmental quality on the productivity of factory workers: A case of pharmaceutical factories in Southwest Nigeria

The indoor environment of pharmaceutical factory building is known to be a very active place with industrial equipment, machineries, full of light, noise, particulate matter, and other gaseous elements. Having this all-in-one place can be a challenge to the wellbeing and possibly the productivity of the workers of the factory. As a result, the study investigated the effect of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on the productivity of the pharmaceutical factory workers. This review of relevant literature from e-books, articles, conference proceedings, technical reports, textbooks, thesis and periodicals was conducted between 2010-2022. 14 pharmaceutical factories were investigated within 13 months (October 2020-November 2021). The factors of indoor environmental quality influencing workers’ wellbeing as well as their productivity, were thoroughly investigated using a strategic procedure. It was discovered that the factors involved in a pharmaceutical factory building's IEQ and the productivity factors of the workers were complex and diverse. This paper concludes that the previous studies reviewed do not show that indoor environmental quality of PFB have any significant impact on the productivity of the pharmaceutical factory workers.

Effect of indoor environmental quality on visual comfort and productivity in office buildings

PurposeThe Purpose of this paper is to identify statistical relationships between visual environment and occupant productivity. Visual environment is one of the most important indoor environmental quality (IEQ) parameters, and it directly impacts occupant productivity in offices. The literature outlines the significance of the impact. Still, there is a lack of investigation, statistical analysis and inter-relationships between the independent variables (IEQ factors), especially in the hot and arid climate.Design/methodology/approachThis study presents a research study investigating the effects and shows statistical relationships between IEQ on occupant comfort and productivity. The study was conducted in the Middle East, and data was collected for 12 months. It used the response surface analysis to perform analysis.FindingsThis study outlined seven unique relationships highlighting the recommended range, inter-dependencies. Results include that illumination has maximum effect on visual comfort and temperature, daylight having direct influence and relative humidity, wall type next to the seat and kind of workspace also impact visual comfort and productivity. These findings would help to improve occupant comfort and productivity in office buildings. It is recommended to include results and recommendations on design guidelines for office buildings.Originality/valueThis study presents the unique effects of non-visual IEQ parameters on visual comfort and productivity. This investigation also provides a unique method to develop the statistical relationship between various indoor environmental factors and productivity in different contexts and buildings.

Sociodemographic variations in the association between indoor environmental quality in school buildings and student performance

Environmental and building characteristics of educational facilities are associated with student learning and achievement. We examined the effect of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in schools on standardized test scores, accounting for individual and community-level sociodemographic factors.We explored data from a Colorado school district which included individual student achievement metrics (reading and math test scores), and IEQ characteristics of school buildings measured by Operation Report Card scores (ORC). We estimated associations between ORC increase and changes in test scores using mean-based and quantile regression (QR) models, and examined heterogeneity of associations within sex and racial/ethnic subgroups.Confounder-adjusted QR models revealed differences across test distributions suggesting overall that improved IEQ may mitigate negative effects on academic achievement among students who experience social and economic risks. For example, a one unit increase in ORC for Latinx students was associated with up to a 2.7% (95%CI: 0.4%, 5.1%) increase in math score at the 90th percentile of the score distribution but a 0.4% (95%CI: 3.1%, 2.2%) decrease at the same percentile for White students.Our observations provide evidence not only on the overall importance of school IEQ on academic achievement, but also suggests a greater vulnerability or response to improved IEQ among socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: The Effect on Performance of Building Technology Lecturers

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the Effect of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) on the Performance of Building Technology Lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Methodology: Three research questions guided the study in which survey research design was used. The entire population of the study was 216, comprising 84 building technology lecturers and 132 higher technical officers from six tertiary institutions in Nigeria. A 38-item questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts. Cronbach’s Alpha reliability method was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument at a coefficient of 0.89. A total of 216 copies of the questionnaire were administered and 210 copies were retrieved, representing a 92% return rate. The data collected was analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. Results: The study found out that there exist 5 items on how the indoor air quality (IAQ) affect building technology lecturers’ performance in Nigerian tertiary institutions, 5 items on how thermal comfort affect building technology lecturers’ performance in Nigerian tertiary institutions, 7 items on how building acoustics affect building technology lecturers’ performance in Nigerian tertiary institutions and 6 items on how ergonomics affects building technology lecturers’ performance in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The study also found 6 items on challenges of installing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), facilities and 10 items on the ways of providing and improving Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Practical Implications: Lecturers’ role on monitoring and maintenance of IEQ in offices could be enhanced through appointment of Desk officer in each faculty of the tertiary institutions. The Desk officer will liaise between the lecturers and maintenance unit of the institutions on IEQ issues. Originality/Value: The study concluded that improved indoor environmental quality has a tremendous impact on lecturer’s performance, comfort, workspace utilization and overall productivity.

The effect of indoor environmental quality on occupants’ perception in a laboratory environment

Indoor environment conditions of a building are one of the concerned issues as most people usually spend their time inside the buildings. Poor indoor environmental conditions can influence human health in terms of physiological, perceptual and emotional as well. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) towards occupants’ perception in engineering laboratories/workshops at Mechanical Engineering Laboratories Complex. Thermal comfort and indoor air quality analysis were conducted to evaluate the indoor environment quality of the laboratory/workshop. The analysis consists of physical measurement and subjective measurement. Physical measurements were conducted with occupancy and no occupancy condition while subjective measurement was carried out through the questionnaire. Results show that air-conditioned machine workshop has temperature of 20.8°C which is not within the ASHRAE Standard-55 but still acceptable for occupants. Meanwhile, the thermal condition of non-air-conditioned welding workshop has not complied with the standard in terms of air temperature. In addition, result from occupant’s air odour perception indicates that air odour problem occurred in both case study areas. Based on the findings, indoor environment quality improvement measures are proposed to enhance the indoor environment quality (IEQ) level of the laboratory.

Effect of indoor environmental quality on building-related symptoms among the residents of apartment-type buildings in Bangkok area

This study investigated the associations between residential characteristics and building-related symptoms (BRSs). Individuals who resided in an apartment-type building in the Bangkok area were recruited. Residential characteristics, activities, and BRSs were assessed using questionnaires. Airborne fungi were collected using an electrostatic dust collector. In total, 93 questionnaires and dust samples were returned to the laboratory. The most prevalent BRSs that the participants reported were sneezing, followed by fatigue and headache. The results of multiple logistic regression analyses showed the participants who seldom used hairstyling products had more general symptoms than those who never used them (OR = 4.35; 95% CI = 1.00, 18.96). Moreover, the operating hours of an air conditioner or a fan was negatively associated with mucosal (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.79, 0.99) and dermal (OR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.76, 1.00) symptoms. Airborne fungi (i.e., nonsporulating fungi, Cladosporium spp., and Curvularia spp.) were also significantly associated with general (OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.00, 2.02), mucosal (OR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.00, 2.18), and dermal (OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.03, 4.83) symptoms. Proper indoor environmental management can reduce indoor air pollution and consequently promote the health of occupants.

A method to conduct longitudinal studies on indoor environmental quality and perceived occupant comfort

Buildings with transient occupancy such as malls and sport facilities pose a particular challenge for evaluating the effect of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on occupant comfort due to 1) the difficulties in communicating with their occupants and 2) significant daily variations in their occupancy profiles. To this end, this research presents a method to conduct longitudinal studies in which IEQ and occupant comfort are continuously and simultaneously evaluated. The proposed method relies on using electronic occupant survey devices to enable data collection on a large scale and over longer durations. To validate the proposed method, it was implemented in a gymnastics center in eastern Ontario, Canada between September 2017 and February 2018. Over 1000 survey responses were collected and analyzed relative to prevailing IEQ conditions in the hour preceding each survey response. Analyses showed a stronger correlation between measured temperature and occupants' thermal comfort in comparison to the relationship between carbon dioxide concentrations and occupants’ perception of the indoor air quality. The case study demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed research method which can be replicated on a wider scale in different building types, especially those with transient occupancy, to further investigate the effect of IEQ on occupant comfort.

The Effect of Indoor Environmental Quality on the Respiratory Health of Informal Workers

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The impact of IEQ on occupants’ satisfaction in Malaysian buildings

This paper focuses on the importance of occupant satisfaction with indoor environmental quality in buildings as well as the effect of indoor environmental quality towards occupants’ satisfaction. This research applied post-occupancy evaluation as a method to indicate the building occupants’ needs, their satisfaction and comfort level. The research is based on a case study approach whereby a questionnaire survey was conducted among 25 organizations involved in managing office buildings. A total of 115 questionnaires were returned for evaluation of occupants’ overall satisfaction from aspects of indoor environmental quality in these buildings and to determine the occupants’ satisfaction level within these buildings. The findings revealed that indoor environment factors that could contribute to occupants’ satisfaction consists of lighting, air quality and aesthetic perception. These classifications were made based on the factor analysis done with 22 attributes of the indoor environment. The majority of occupants are satisfied with their health conditions and do not face any serious health problems. However, occupants highlighted that some environmental conditions, health effects, air movement, ventilation and air freshness are important criteria for their satisfaction and comfort. This study provides insights into how occupants perceive their indoor environment and comfort, and identify problems that could arise in buildings.

Occupant Expectations on the Main IEQ Factors at Workspace: The Studies of Private Preschool Buildings

This study explores the relationship between the perceived performance of specific IEQ factors and occupants’ overall satisfaction with their workspace. The Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in buildings is one of the most important factors affecting the physical development of children. The early education is compulsory and escalated numbers of 4-6 years children has boosted the numbers of private preschool. Frequently its operate in premises that have been fully refurbished, either in housing schemes, commercial buildings or institutional buildings. This has invited the questions on the building capability to provide a good environment to the children during the learning activities. Malaysia still lacks studies on the modification of the quality of the internal environment for private kindergartens. Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is one method that has been used satisfactorily in the study and effect of IEQ in kindergartens. This research focuses on identifying occupant satisfaction towards IEQ in selected refurbished pre-school or kindergarten buildings. The objectives of the study are to iden-tify and determine the IEQ through feedback from building users. The study collected data on overall satisfaction and overall design importance through building inspection and questionnaires, the data obtained was analyzed to become a benchmark for the studies. 240 kindergartens in the whole country were selected for the study of IEQ.

Assessing the effect of indoor environmental quality on productivity at office work

Abstract In a real environment makes it very difficult to evaluate the effect of a single parameter on human productivity, mostly because many of them are present at the same time and act together on each occupant. This study is aimed at investigation of selected office building to determine the presence of polluting agents such as volatile organic compounds, particulate matters and carbon dioxide and to assess the perceived productivity by office occupants. Occupants performed simulated office work consisting of three tasks in three office spaces. The mean values of total volatile organic compounds were in line with those found in other studies; taking into account the guideline value suggested by Molhave (200 μg.m-3). Mean values of PM10 mass concentrations exceeded the indoor limit value (50 μg.m-3) by 62.7% in office 1 and by 46.49% in reception. Concentrations of carbon dioxide in monitored office spaces were under the recommended concentration according to Pettenkofer (1800 mg.m-3).

The effect of indoor environmental quality on occupants’ perception of performance: A case study of refurbished historic buildings in Malaysia

This paper presents an assessment of occupants’ opinion of the internal environment of buildings, based upon their responses to questions relating to a range of discrete factors. The survey considers many aspects of the internal environment and seeks to gain occupants responses to each of these in terms of “User Satisfaction” and “Degree of Importance”. The questionnaire utilised a seven-point bi-polar scale to score these responses against each of the factors. In addition, the questionnaire elicits a ‘fingerprint’ that combines up to 22 factors relating to satisfaction with the building. The study documents and considers aspects of the building environment for which the users noted that they were least satisfied as well as those that are considered by the occupants as being of most importance. It is critical that sustainable development results not just in resource conservation, but also in increasing productivity and occupant well-being within buildings. This study hopes to provide insight for the design community on the perceptions of occupants in relation to building performance based on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) criteria. It also seeks to add to the growing body of research on sustainable design and occupants’ perception of IEQ.

Evaluation method of effect of indoor environmental quality on productivity

Evaluation method of effect of indoor environmental quality on productivity