Sick building syndrome, sensation of dryness and thermal comfort in relation to room temperature in an office building: Need for individual control of temperature

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Environment International; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(89)90022-6· OSTI ID:6943066

Jaakkola, J J.K.; Seppaenen, O ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Technology, Helsinki (Finland)

Association of symptoms and complaints with mechanical ventilation and other indoor air factors was studied in a modern eight floor office building with 2150 workers. The variation of the room temperature (range 21 to 26{degree}C) was large, the average temperature was high (23.3{degree}C), and the workers were unable to control the temperature. In the cross-sectional analysis of the data the room temperature was the most important indoor air parameter determining sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and sensation of dryness. There was a linear correlation between the amount of SBS symptoms, sensation of dryness, and a rise in room temperature above 22{degree}C. However, there was an excess of SBS symptoms, both when the temperature was considered to be too cold and too warm. This indicates that these symptoms can also be seen as an expression of general dissatisfaction with the temperature. It is concluded that individual control of room temperature will improve the thermal comfort and decrease the SBS symptoms of office workers.

• OSTI ID: 6943066
• Journal Information: Environment International; (USA), Vol. 15:1-6; ISSN 0160-4120
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
OFFICE BUILDINGS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
CORRELATIONS
HUMIDITY
PERSONNEL
SYMPTOMS
VENTILATION
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
POLLUTION
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology