Discusses sick building syndrome in office buildings. Poor ventilation is frequently blamed, although in 60% of cases, no specific cause can be identified, because of symptoms which are non-specific, and the vast variety of substances present in the air. Similarly, factors contributing to disease are not restricted to pollutant levels only. Procedure for examining causes of sick building syndrome are suggested. Describes checking of different kinds of ventilation system, and the importance of outside air intake. Describes problems of both local and central ventilation systems.
Discusses the physical, chemical and biological effects that moisture can have on indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, radon, aerosol particles, minerals from concrete, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, polyurethane, microbes and organic vapours.
One of the most important reasons for ventilation of dwellings is moisture control. Ventilation strategies differ. The article deals with 1) Ventilation as a measure for moisture control in dwellings: comfort aspects, durability aspects, air humidity and ventilation: 2) Principles for risk analyses; surface phenomena, moisture conditions within buildings components; 3) Ventilation requirements in different climates; climatic data for different climatic zones, principles for moisture- ventilation analysis, and analyses of the examples.
Within the framework of the national research project "Ventilationin Housing Construction", studies on occupants ' ventilation behaviour were conducted in a demonstration building in Duisburg- Neumuhl (Federal Rep. of Germany) which also formed part of the project . Analyses were based on values measured from Jan, 1 - Dec. 31, 1984 in 24 flats with identical ground plans, all of which were equipped with mechanical ventilation systems.
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