Energy efficient buildings : comparison of the indoor environment in office buildings perceived healthy and building perceived unhealthy

As part of the European research project HOPE (Health Optimisation Protocol of Energy efficient buildings), a comparison is made of the indoor environment in office buildings perceived as either healthy or less healthy. The aim is to characterise the differences between energy efficient buildings perceived healthy and energy efficient buildings perceived unhealthy. In 5 European countries, a pair-wise comparison of a healthy building and an unhealthy office has been made. The selection of the buildings was based on the results of an occupant questionnaire survey. A building-specific approach was followed, focussing on health hazards that are, or may be, present, based on a qualitative evaluation and questionnaire results. Common features in the investigations were measurements of ventilation rates, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Short-term measurements (active sampling) as well as long term measurement (passive sampling) were undertaken over one to two week periods.
The target values of the hazards/parameters are more often exceeded in less healthy office
buildings, compared to the healthy ones. Poor ventilation and too high temperatures seem to
be responsible for the lower perception of the indoor environment in the former group.
From the analysis of the results, recommendations for creating healthy and energy-efficient
buildings are derived.