Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality Screening Strategies: A Step-Wise Approach for IAQ Screening

Ling-tim Wong, Kwok-wai Mui and Tsz-wun Tsang
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Ling-tim Wong: Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
Kwok-wai Mui: Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
Tsz-wun Tsang: Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-9

Abstract: Conducting a full indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment in air-conditioned offices requires large-scale material and manpower resources. However, an IAQ index can be adopted as a handy screening tool to identify any premises (with poor IAQ) that need more comprehensive IAQ assessments to prioritize IAQ improvements. This study proposes a step-wise IAQ screening protocol to facilitate its cost-effective management among building owners and managers. The effectiveness of three IAQ indices, namely ? 1 (with one parameter: CO 2 ), ? 2 (with two parameters: CO 2 and respirable suspended particulates, RSP) and ? 3 (with three parameters: CO 2 , RSP, and total volatile organic compounds, TVOC) are evaluated. Compared in a pairwise manner with respect to the minimum satisfaction levels as stated in the IAQ Certification Scheme by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department, the results show that a screening test with more surrogate IAQ parameters is good at identifying both lower and higher risk groups for unsatisfactory IAQ, and thus offers higher resolution. Through the sensitivity and specificity for identifying IAQ problems, the effectiveness of alternative IAQ screening methods with different monitoring parameters is also reported.

Keywords: indoor air quality; assessment; screening; air-conditioned office (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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