Impact of Indoor Temperature and Humidity in IAQ of Health Care Buildings

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is important, especially in settings with a high number of users, such as healthcare facilities, where the vulnerable patients count is more. Both developed and developing nations are currently paying attention to the issue of indoor air quality (IAQ). IAQ values are influenced by several parameters, with temperature and humidity being the most significant contributors. Very few studies have examined the impact of hospital temperature and humidity on indoor air quality, because they are directly related to thermal comfort. As defined by indoor environmental quality (IEQ), these parameters were selected. This article provides an overview of the significance of temperature and humidity in hospital environments, the criteria provided by the authors based on guidelines and standards, and the relationship between the two along with a few other parameters. In addition, the article attempted to determine the nosocomial infections caused by indoor air temperature and humidity. The study assumes that even though the parameters have been specified in various standards, they can vary according to space usage, occupancy, HVAC design, climate zones, etc. This research may result in a paradigm shift regarding the significance of temperature and humidity in hospitals.