Occupant Perceptions and a Health Outcome in Retail Stores
Journal Article
·
· Building and Environment
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in commercial buildings, such as retail stores, can affect employee satisfaction, productivity, and health. This study administered an IEQ survey to retail employees and found correlations between measured IEQ parameters and the survey responses. The survey included 611 employees in 14 retail stores located in Pennsylvania (climate zone 5A) and Texas (climate zone 2A). The survey questionnaire featured ratings of different aspects of IEQ, including thermal comfort, lighting and noise level, indoor smells, overall cleanness, and environmental quality. Simultaneously with the survey, on-site physical measurements were taken to collect data of relative humidity levels, air exchange rates, dry bulb temperatures, and contaminant concentrations. This data was analyzed using multinomial logit regression with independent variables being the measured IEQ parameters, employees’ gender, and age. This study found that employee perception of stuffy smells is related to formaldehyde and PM10 concentrations. Furthermore, the survey also asked the employees to report an annual frequency of common colds as a health indicator. The regression analysis showed that the cold frequency statistically correlates with the measured air exchange rates, outdoor temperatures, and indoor PM concentrations. Overall, the air exchange rate is the most influential parameter on the employee perception of the overall environmental quality and self-reported health outcome.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1242347
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-110617
- Journal Information:
- Building and Environment, Journal Name: Building and Environment Vol. 93; ISSN 0360-1323
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Indoor Environmental Quality Benefits of Apartment Energy Retrofits
Healthy Zero Energy Buildings (HZEB) Program - Cross-Sectional Study of Contaminant Levels, Source, Strengths, and Ventilation Rates in Retail Stores
Workplace characteristics associated with health and comfort concerns in three office buildings in Washington, DC
Technical Report
·
Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013
·
OSTI ID:1220277
Healthy Zero Energy Buildings (HZEB) Program - Cross-Sectional Study of Contaminant Levels, Source, Strengths, and Ventilation Rates in Retail Stores
Technical Report
·
Fri Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 2014
·
OSTI ID:1163269
Workplace characteristics associated with health and comfort concerns in three office buildings in Washington, DC
Technical Report
·
Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1990
·
OSTI ID:5194168