Effects of Ventilation Improvement on Measured and Perceived Indoor Air Quality in a School Building with a Hybrid Ventilation System
Camilla Vornanen-Winqvist,
Heidi Salonen,
Kati Järvi,
Maria A. Andersson,
Raimo Mikkola,
Tamás Marik,
László Kredics and
Jarek Kurnitski
Additional contact information
Camilla Vornanen-Winqvist: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Heidi Salonen: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Kati Järvi: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Maria A. Andersson: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Raimo Mikkola: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Tamás Marik: Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
László Kredics: Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
Jarek Kurnitski: Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-18
Abstract:
Ventilation system design and operation may significantly affect indoor air quality (IAQ). The aims of this case study were to investigate the functionality of a supply air fan-assisted hybrid ventilation system in a newly built school building with reported IAQ problems and to determine the effects of ventilation improvement on measured and perceived IAQ. The ventilation system function was researched simultaneously with IAQ measurements, with an analysis of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), single volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and indoor mycobiota, and with questionnaires about perceived IAQ. At the baseline, an operational error of the ventilation system was found, which prevented the air from coming into the classrooms, except for short periods of high carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations. After the ventilation operation was improved, a significant change in indoor mycobiota was found; the dominant, opportunistic human pathogenic species Trichoderma citrinoviride found in settled dust in the classroom before the improvement was no longer detected. In addition, the concentrations of CO 2 , TVOC, and some single VOCs, especially toluene and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, decreased. The analysis of the questionnaire results indicated that the perceptions of unpleasant odors and stuffy air decreased, although a statistically significant improvement in perceived IAQ was not observed. The results provided evidence that the properly controlled hybrid ventilation system operating in mechanical supply mode provided adequate ventilation and was effective in decreasing the concentrations of some indoor-generated pollutants. With simple ventilation adjustments, microbiological exposure from building structures might be prevented.
Keywords: ventilation; hybrid ventilation; indoor air quality; mycobiota; indoor air questionnaire; school building; Trichoderma citrinoviride (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:7:p:1414-:d:156324
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