A multidisciplinary panel of experts in the EUROVEN collaboration evaluated scientific literature on the effects of ventilation on health, comfort and productivity in non-industrial indoor environments. Fourteen papers of the 105 reviewed were judged to provide background information relevant to the objective, and thirty papers were judged conclusive. The group drew their conclusions based on these thirty papers. They agreed that ventilation is strongly associated with comfort and health, and that an association between ventilation and productivity is possible. The group also decided that there is evidence that increasing outdoor air supply rates in nonindustrial environments improves perceived air quality; that outdoor air supply rates below 25 L/s per person increase the risk of sick building syndrome symptoms, and lead to an increase in short-term sick leave and a decrease in productivity among occupants of office buildings; and that ventilation rates above 0.5 per hour in homes reduce infestation of house dust mites in Nordic countries. Also concluded that the indications from the literature are that buildings with air conditioning systems may have an increased risk of SBS symptoms compared with naturally or mechanically ventilated buildings, and implies that improper maintenance, design and functioning of air conditioning systems contributes to an increased prevalence of SBS symptoms.
Ventilation and health in nonindustrial indoor environments. Report from a European multidisciplinary scientific consensus meeting.
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Year:
2001
Bibliographic info:
Italy, Milan, AICARR, 2001, proceedings of the 7th REHVA World Congress and Clima 2000 Naples 2001 Conference, held Naples, Italy, 15-18 September 2001, paper on CD.