Indoor Air Quality in Nonindustrial Occupational Environments

Abstract

This chapter discusses indoor air quality (IAQ) in nonindustrial buildings. Historically, the concept of IAQ has included viewpoints that the introduction of outdoor air, via passive and mechanical ventilation, is required both to prevent the buildup of contaminants and the associated adverse health effects, as well as to provide for comfort of occupants. It has been observed that airborne contagious diseases and malodor are more prominent in crowded spaces with insufficient ventilation and poor or nonexistent control of contaminant sources. The International Building Code (IBC), the International Residential Code (IRC), the International Mechanical Code (IMC), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air‐Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standards 62.1 and 62.2 recommend approaches to the control of contaminant sources and the provision of outdoor air ventilation to lower the risk of occupant dissatisfaction and diseases. The varied approaches that can be used during IAQ evaluations reflect the multitude of different problems that can occur in buildings. In developing countries, higher morbidity and mortality have multifactorial causes, with contaminated food, water, and air as major risk factors. The chapter focuses on IAQ evaluation protocols and various guidelines.