The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Ventilation and IAQ Evaluation: 40 years of AIVC

The purpose of this summary is to review Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre activities, as reflected in its publications, related to indoor carbon dioxide over the 40 years that have transpired since its creation. These activities, like most applications of indoor CO2 to the fields of ventilation and indoor air quality, have focused on the following: control of outdoor ventilation rates, i.e., demand control ventilation; use as a tracer gas to measure outdoor air change rates; providing an indicator or metric of IAQ; and, directly impacting human health, comfort and performance. More recent work on CO2 generation rates from building occupants and CO2 concentrations in standards and building regulations is also covered. This summary was generated by searching on Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre publications, though the findings also reflect the evolving application and understanding of indoor CO2 in the broader literature.