Characteristics of Indoor Environmental Quality

Abstract

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in an office/non-residential building is determined by environmental aspects, covering the physical (lighting, acoustics, and thermal conditions), chemical (indoor air quality), and biological (microorganisms) origins. This chapter focuses on the assessment of chemical and physical parameters, particulates including PM10, PM2.5, and aerosols, CO2, CO, NOx, VOCs, black carbon, radon concentration, climatic factors, acoustic and lighting, and also the characterization of fungal and other microbial contaminants. Hundreds of VOCs have been identified in indoor air. Different range of concentrations of the VOC classes indicates source apportionment of indoor VOCs. The VOCs provoke symptoms typical of SBS, including mucous membrane annoyance, skin irritation, exacerbation of asthma, fatigue, liver, and kidney damage and increased cancer risks. A section is dedicated to lAQ management, concerning guidelines of exposure included in green building rating schemes. In managing IAQ, the preferred pathways are (i) emission source control, aiming at choosing low-emission indoor materials, building construction and renovation practices, (ii) ventilation to provide for appropriate indoor/outdoor air exchange, and (iii) periodic indoor air monitoring to comply with the given threshold.