| Abstrakt: |
During the last two decades there was increasing concern over the effects of indoor air quality on health. Changes in building design set up to improve energy efficiency are frequently more airtight and concentrations of air pollutants higher indoors than outdoors.The aim of the study was to assess indoor air quality in University laboratories and related health symptoms among the occupants. Methodology Fifteen different laboratories/office (chemistry, food, environmental, geology) within Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, were monitored for indoor air pollutants. Exposure levels to volatile organic compunds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and ultrafine particles were measured during a semester, when the laboratories were occupied and during a semester break, when there were no sessions in the laboratories. Indoor temperature and relative humidity were also measured. The participants of the study were technicians and tutors working in the laboratories. They were asked to complete a questionnaire which gathered details of the laboratory and also the occupant's health history and current health symptoms.During the semester the occupants of the laboratories were exposed to significantly higher levels of particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM10), ultrafine particles and TVOCs compared with the levels during the semester break. From the study results it appears that presence of air conditioning in a building reduces the indoor temperature and concentrations of VOCs. Participants who reported asthma and allergy were exposed to higher levels of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and VOCs compared to those who didn't report such symptoms, although the differences were not significant. Furthermore, study subjects with respiratory symptoms including wheeze, cough, and trouble breathing had significantly longer time of employment in this laboratory compared to those who did not have such symptoms.Indoor air quality in workplace may be related to adverse health effects among occupants and more detailed investigations are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
