Diagnostics of unsatisfactory indoor air quality in air-conditioned workplaces

Abstract

This study examines a screening process for environmental diagnosis of indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in air-conditioned office buildings. Diagnosis of IAQ problems in relation to complaints of environmental health effects has not been identified as a precise science and this paper proposes an evaluation tool to address this need. An "IAQ index", the average fractional dose of a set of three representative indoor pollutants, has been developed for this purpose, to be used as a screening parameter for detecting the unsatisfactory factors affecting the IAQ in an air-conditioned office. The wide-ranging set of prescribed IAQ measurements for these investigations can be prohibitive due to complexity, cost and time period taken to obtain results. In this study, a 5-level screening strategy based on the IAQ index to quantify the likelihood of unsatisfactory IAQ in air-conditioned workplaces is being proposed. The proposed assessment tool would be a useful protocol for policymakers and professionals to evaluate the relative environmental performance of office spaces and to investigate any IAQ problem. A proposed set of three measurements are used to inform decision whether to take any further action (more measurements or remedial measures) to allow early diagnosis of IAQ problems in air-conditioned offices to satisfy existing Hong Kong IAQ standards.