TY - JOUR
T1 - Indoor air quality and health in two office buildings with different ventilation systems
AU - Hedge, A.
AU - Sterling, T. D.
AU - Sterling, E. M.
AU - Collett, C. W.
AU - Sterling, D. A.
AU - Nie, V.
PY - 1989
Y1 - 1989
N2 - Measurements of indoor air pollutants were taken in (1) an air conditioned and (2) an adjacent, naturally ventilated office of a public sector organization. Self-administered questionnaires on the work environment and health were distributed to all workers. No differences in concentrations of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, and total oxidants were found between buildings. Concentrations of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and respirable particulates were higher in the air conditioned offices. Symptoms of sleepiness, nasal irritation, concentration difficulties, cold/flu-like symptoms, and eye focusing problems were significantly more prevalent in the air conditioned offices. Symptoms of sleepiness, nasal irritation, concentration more prevalent among women than men. Passive smoking was associated with symptom prevalence, but alcohol, tea, and coffee consumption was unrelated. No significant correlations between pollutant concentrations and symptom prevalence were found, however, recalled reports of leaving work early because of feeling ill were significantly correlated with formaldehyde levels in the air conditioned building.
AB - Measurements of indoor air pollutants were taken in (1) an air conditioned and (2) an adjacent, naturally ventilated office of a public sector organization. Self-administered questionnaires on the work environment and health were distributed to all workers. No differences in concentrations of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, and total oxidants were found between buildings. Concentrations of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and respirable particulates were higher in the air conditioned offices. Symptoms of sleepiness, nasal irritation, concentration difficulties, cold/flu-like symptoms, and eye focusing problems were significantly more prevalent in the air conditioned offices. Symptoms of sleepiness, nasal irritation, concentration more prevalent among women than men. Passive smoking was associated with symptom prevalence, but alcohol, tea, and coffee consumption was unrelated. No significant correlations between pollutant concentrations and symptom prevalence were found, however, recalled reports of leaving work early because of feeling ill were significantly correlated with formaldehyde levels in the air conditioned building.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0024419583&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/0160-4120(89)90017-2
DO - 10.1016/0160-4120(89)90017-2
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0024419583
VL - 15
SP - 115
EP - 128
JO - Environment International
JF - Environment International
SN - 0160-4120
IS - 1-6
ER -