Impact of indoor air quality on health effects

Abstract

In modern industrial society man spends the greater part of his life indoors. A large proportion of the population, over 90%, spends more than 20 hours a day in an artificial environment: at home, at the workplace, at shops, at variety of recreation places, cafes, theaters, cinemas, galleries, etc), during transportation etc. Since we spend most of our time indoors the character of the Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) is of great significance for how we feel, for our health, wellbeing and productivity. Indoor environment quality has a special role as health determinant, and management of indoor air requires different approaches than outdoor air. To achieve indoor environment quality is determined by many factors, but the designers are focused on four different perspectives such as: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Thermal Comfort (TC), Visual Comfort (VC) and Acoustical Comfort (AC). The concept of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is used as a general denomination for the cleanliness of indoor air. The requirements of the occupants for the indoor air quality in a space are first that the health risk of breathing the air should be negligible and second that the air should be perceived to be fresh and pleasant rather than stale, stuffy and irritating. Indoor air quality may be controlled by a combination of pollutant source control and ventilation. Indoor air quality is vital to human health because most human activities take place in the indoor environment. Therefore the indoor air quality have become priority a for federal, provincial and regional health authorities.