Dichotomy of predictor variables of indoor air quality and prevailing public perception of green living space – A preliminary assessment

Abstract

Indoor environmental quality has a profound effect on human health and productivity. In this respect, this study evaluates indoor air quality in terms of its various parameters in sustainably built homes in three different locations. A supplementary study to examine the formaldehyde emission levels from furniture with three different finishes was also undertaken. A questionnaire-based survey was then conducted to evaluate the general public perception of the prevailing indoor air quality in the three locations. The results revealed that temperature, relative humidity, indoor air speed, particulate matter (PM10), CO2, NO2, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and formaldehyde (HCHO) readings were not significantly different between the three locations and were below the existing limit allowed for indoor environmental quality. However, the HCHO emission was the highest from furniture with the two-layer coatings, followed by single layer coating, and finally the furniture with the veneer overlay. It was noteworthy that the general public’s awareness and knowledge of indoor air quality was relatively poor, except for the tertiary level educated respondents. In this regard, policymakers need to increase the awareness and knowledge of indoor environmental quality among the general public, if non-compliance is to be detected and promptly addressed.