Grantee Research Project Results

Longitudinal Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings

EPA Grant Number: R825272
Title: Longitudinal Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings
Investigators: Batterman, Stuart A.
Current Investigators: Batterman, Stuart A. , Franzblau, Alfred , Baker, Wayne
Institution: University of Michigan
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: July 1, 1997 through June 30, 2000 (Extended to June 30, 2002)
Project Amount: $430,000
RFA: Air Quality (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air

Description:

This study addresses relationships between indoor air quality (IAQ), occupant health and comfort, and mitigation strategies. The major objectives are to relate direct measurements of IAQ to building related illness and sick building syndrome and to increase the understanding of the relationships between occupant health, building system operation, and air quality. The study uses a series of controlled interventions in large, mechanically ventilated office buildings with simultaneous measurements of IAQ parameters and surveys of occupant health and perception. The experimental interventions may include variations in fresh air exchange, ventilation rates, HVAC scheduling/operation, humidity, night-time purge, filtration, and cleaning. A psychosocial survey will account for job-related and personal cofactors which may affect reporting results of the IAQ and symptom survey. The blind, controlled and repeated measures design of the study is designed to provide high discriminatory power; experimental controls and carefully controlled interventions will minimize effects of confounding factors. Statistical analyses of survey results in conjunction with various indoor air quality indicators will adjust for confounding and will indicate controlling factors. The study should help to identify and quantify effects of various indoor pollutants and potential mitigation strategies, and should help to improve protocols for building investigations.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 10 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Health, Air, Scientific Discipline, Risk Assessments, Epidemiology, indoor air, Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Engineering, air quality, occupant health, indoor air quality, workplace, fresh air exchange, hvac, filtration, building related illness, human exposure, ventilation rates, furnaces, office buildings, surveys, ambient air, mitigation strategies, sick building syndrome

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.