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Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) acceptance and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) risk in Air-conditioned University Classrooms

Brief:

This study investigates the relationship between Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) acceptance and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) risk in air-conditioned university classrooms. In particular, an IEQ acceptance model was evaluated by subject assessment and objective measurement via four environment aspects including thermal comfort, indoor air quality, visual comfort and aural comfort. Strong associations were showed between the overall IEQ votes with the environmental parameters. Besides, the IEQ parameter limits which are possible to trigger SBS symptoms were reviewed in open literatures. IEQ acceptance in classroom was simulated for certain indoor environment configurations with potential SBS risk reported. Significant correlation on overall IEQ acceptance to number of SBS risk count was confirmed. Relatively high acceptance revealed in simulated risk environment suggested future classroom environment design should be more focus on minimizing potential health risk (i.e. occurrence of SBS) instead of solely satisfying occupant’s acceptance.

Further information:

Mui KW, Cheung CT, Wong LT, 2013. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) acceptance and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) risk in Air-conditioned University Classrooms. Conference of ISEE, ISES and ISIAQ, Environment and Health–Bridging South, North, East and West. 19-23 August, Basel, Switzerland.