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Ventilation, indoor air quality, and human health and comfort in dwellings and day-care centers

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the actual ventilation and indoor air quality in the Finnish building stock (dwellings and day-care centers) with special reference to the existing guideline values. Furthermore, the objective was to evaluate the occurrence of symptoms and perceptions among occupants (adult residents, children, workers) in relation to ventilation system, ventilation rate and dampness. The measurements of ventilation and indoor air quality in the dwellings and day-care centers included ventilation rate, CO{sub 2} concentration, and temperature and humidity. Self- and parent-administered questionnaires were distributed to the occupants inquiring their personal characteristics, occurrence of symptoms of interest, perceived indoor air quality and details of their home and work environments. Airflows and air change rates varied remarkably both in the dwellings and day-care centers. In the majority of the dwellings and day-care centers, the Finnish guideline values of ventilation rates were not achieved. No consistent associations were observed between the magnitude of mechanical ventilation rates and the occurrence of eye, respiratory, skin and general symptoms, that is, symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS) among the day-care workers. The results indicate that there is much room for improvement in the ventilation and indoor air quality of Finnish dwellings  More>>
Authors:
Publication Date:
Dec 31, 1995
Product Type:
Thesis/Dissertation
Report Number:
TKK-KO/LVI-A1
Reference Number:
SCA: 320107; PA: FI-96:003713; EDB-96:149969; NTS-97:002665; SN: 96001663829
Resource Relation:
Other Information: TH: Thesis (D. Tech.); PBD: 1995
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; INDOOR AIR POLLUTION; RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS; PUBLIC BUILDINGS; CHILDREN; FUNGI; AIR QUALITY; VENTILATION SYSTEMS; VENTILATION; AIR INFILTRATION; THERMAL COMFORT; HUMIDITY
OSTI ID:
374092
Research Organizations:
Helsinki Univ. of Technology, Otaniemi (Finland). Lab. of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; Helsinki Univ. of Technology, Otaniemi (Finland)
Country of Origin:
Finland
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE97700132; ISBN 951-22-2873-4; TRN: FI9603713
Availability:
OSTI as DE97700132
Submitting Site:
FI
Size:
150 p.
Announcement Date:
Oct 15, 1996

Citation Formats

Ruotsalainen, R. Ventilation, indoor air quality, and human health and comfort in dwellings and day-care centers. Finland: N. p., 1995. Web.
Ruotsalainen, R. Ventilation, indoor air quality, and human health and comfort in dwellings and day-care centers. Finland.
Ruotsalainen, R. 1995. "Ventilation, indoor air quality, and human health and comfort in dwellings and day-care centers." Finland.
@misc{etde_374092,
title = {Ventilation, indoor air quality, and human health and comfort in dwellings and day-care centers}
author = {Ruotsalainen, R}
abstractNote = {The objective of the study was to assess the actual ventilation and indoor air quality in the Finnish building stock (dwellings and day-care centers) with special reference to the existing guideline values. Furthermore, the objective was to evaluate the occurrence of symptoms and perceptions among occupants (adult residents, children, workers) in relation to ventilation system, ventilation rate and dampness. The measurements of ventilation and indoor air quality in the dwellings and day-care centers included ventilation rate, CO{sub 2} concentration, and temperature and humidity. Self- and parent-administered questionnaires were distributed to the occupants inquiring their personal characteristics, occurrence of symptoms of interest, perceived indoor air quality and details of their home and work environments. Airflows and air change rates varied remarkably both in the dwellings and day-care centers. In the majority of the dwellings and day-care centers, the Finnish guideline values of ventilation rates were not achieved. No consistent associations were observed between the magnitude of mechanical ventilation rates and the occurrence of eye, respiratory, skin and general symptoms, that is, symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS) among the day-care workers. The results indicate that there is much room for improvement in the ventilation and indoor air quality of Finnish dwellings and day-care centers. The control of ventilation, temperature and humidity and the prevention of water damage are important issues on which to concentrate in the future. There is need to improve the quality in all phases of construction: design, installation, adjustment, operation, and maintenance}
place = {Finland}
year = {1995}
month = {Dec}
}