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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Erschienen in:

01.10.2008 | Original Article

Sick building syndrome in relation to air exchange rate, CO₂, room temperature and relative air humidity in university computer classrooms: an experimental study

verfasst von: Dan Norbäck, Klas Nordström

Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Ausgabe 1/2008

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Abstract

Objective

To study the effects of ventilation and temperature changes in computer classrooms on symptoms in students.

Methods

Technical university students participated in a blinded study. Two classrooms had higher air exchange (4.1–5.2 ac/h); two others had lower (2.3–2.6 ac/h) air exchange. After 1 week, ventilation conditions were interchanged between the rooms. The students reported symptoms during the last hour, on a seven-step rating scale. Room temperature, relative air humidity (RH) carbon dioxide (CO₂₎, PM10 and ultra-fine particles (UFP) were measured simultaneously (1 h). Illumination, air velocity, operative temperature, supply air temperature, formaldehyde, NO₂ and O₃ were measured. Multiple logistic regression was applied in cross-sectional analysis of the first answer (N = 355). Those participating twice (N = 121) were analysed longitudinally.

Results

Totally 31% were females, 2.9% smokers and 3.8% had asthma. Mean CO₂ was 993 ppm (674–1,450 ppm), temperature 22.7°C (20–25°C) and RH 24% (19–35%). Lower and higher air exchange rates corresponded to a personal outdoor airflow of 7 l/s*p and 10–13 L/s*P, respectively. Mean PM10 was 20 μg/m³ at lower and 15 μg/m³ at higher ventilation flow. Ocular, nasal and throat symptoms, breathlessness, headache and tiredness were significantly more common at higher CO₂ and temperature. After mutual adjustment, ocular (OR = 1.52 per 1°C), nasal (OR = 1.62 per 1°C) and throat symptoms (OR = 1.53 per 1°C), headache (OR = 1.51 per 1°C) and tiredness (OR = 1.54 per 1°C) were significantly associated with temperature; headache was associated only with CO₂ (OR = 1.19 per 100 ppm CO₂). Longitudinal analysis demonstrated that increased room temperature was related to tiredness (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Computer classrooms may have CO₂ above 1,000 ppm and temperatures above 22°C. Increased temperature and CO₂ may affect mucosal membrane symptoms, headaches and tiredness. Room temperature was most important. CO₂ associations may partly be temperature effects.

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Titel: Sick building syndrome in relation to air exchange rate, CO2, room temperature and relative air humidity in university computer classrooms: an experimental study
verfasst von: Dan Norbäck
Klas Nordström
Publikationsdatum: 01.10.2008
Verlag: Springer-Verlag
Erschienen in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Ausgabe 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0301-9

Springer Medizin

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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