Call-centre occupant response to new and used filters at two outdoor air supply rates

A 2x2 replicated field intervention experiment was conducted in a call-centre providing a public telephone directory service: Outdoor air supply rate was 8% or 80% of the total airflow of 430 L/s providing 3.5 h-1; and the supply air filters were either new or used (i.e., used in place for 6 months). Each of these 4 conditions was maintained for a full working week at a time. Room temperature and humidity averaged 24 C and 27% RH. The 26 operators were blind to conditions and assessed perceived air quality (PAQ), the intensity of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms and self-estimated performance. Increasing the outdoor air supply rate with a new filter in place significantly alleviated many symptoms, as did changing from used to new supply air filters at the low outdoor air supply rate, but filter condition made little difference at the high outdoor air supply rate.