Ventilation rates and health: multidisciplinary review of the scientific literature

Sundell, Jan; Levin, Hal; Nazaroff, William W.; Cain, William S.; Fisk, William J.; Grimsrud, D.T.; Gyntelberg, Finn; Li, Yuguo; Persily, Andrew K.; Pickering, A.; Samet, Jonathan M.; Spengler, John D.; Taylor, SL; Weschler, Charles J.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2010.00703.x

Cited by 563 publications

(367 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(58 reference statements)

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“…The results indicated that low ventilation rates in classrooms significantly reduce pupils' attention and vigilance, and negatively affect memory and concentration. In another study, Sundell et al (2011) stated that higher ventilation rates in offices, up to about 25 l/s per person, are associated with reduced prevalence of SBS symptoms, whereas the state of having lower ventilation rates contributes to causing symptoms such as inflammation, respiratory infections, asthma symptoms and short-term sick leave. Additionally, sufficient use of natural ventilation (NV) systems can be also considered as a promising strategy to tackle the SBS.…”

Section: Sbs Contributors Symptoms and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sick building syndrome: are we doing enough?

AlWaer

Omrany

Ghaffarianhoseini

et al. 2018

Architectural Science Review

156

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Health and well-being are vitally important aspects of people centric building design and are the roots of productivity. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a collection of factors that can negatively affect physical health in several ways. Besides physical health is also related to psychological well-being because the human body is one interactive biological system. This paper focuses on reviewing the current state of knowledge on building sickness syndrome which has been prevalent as a building illness since the 1970s especially in offices and schools. While the concepts of intelligent, smart and sustainable buildings have gained considerable attention during recent decades, there is now increasing attention being given to designing healthy buildings. This study provides a review about SBS symptoms. Several negative effects of SBS are identified and potential solutions are advocated. Finally, the study stresses the role of built environment and concludes that ongoing research towards tackling SBS and developing healthy indoor environments should not be limited to a single formula as any health-related building design approach is dependent on several interacting factors. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Section: Sbs Contributors Symptoms and Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sick building syndrome: are we doing enough?

AlWaer

Omrany

Ghaffarianhoseini

et al. 2018

Architectural Science Review

156

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The minimum ventilation rate was 0.5 air changes per hour, as recommended in a multidisciplinary review of literature on ventilation and health by Sendell et al based on limited data [35]. Danish regulations require exhaust capacity in kitchens and bathrooms of 20 L/s and 15 L/s respectively, so simulations assumed these maximum rates.…”

Section: Ventilation Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of a rotary heat exchanger in room-based ventilation on indoor humidity in existing apartments in temperate climates

Smith

Svendsen

2016

Energy and Buildings

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Document VersionPeer reviewed version Link back to DTU Orbit Citation (APA): Smith, K. M., & Svendsen, S. (2016). The effect of a rotary heat exchanger in room-based ventilation on indoor humidity in existing apartments in temperate climates. Energy and Buildings, 116, 349-361. DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.12 AbstractThe investigation constructed and simulated moisture balance equations for single-room ventilation with a non-hygroscopic rotary heat exchanger. Based on literature, the study assumed that all condensed moisture in the exhaust subsequently evaporated into the supply. Simulations evaluated the potential for moisture issues and compared results with recuperative heat recovery and whole-dwelling ventilation systems. To assess the sensitivity of results, the simulations used three moisture production schedules to represent possible conditions based on literature. The study also analyzed the sensitivity to influential parameters, such as infiltration rate, heat recovery, and indoor temperature. With a typical moisture production schedule, the rotary heat exchanger recovered excessive moisture from kitchens and bathrooms, which provided a mold risk. The rotary heat exchanger was only suitable for single-room ventilation of dry rooms, such as living rooms and bedrooms. The sensitivity analysis concluded that varying heat recovery or indoor temperature could limit indoor relative humidity in dry rooms when a moderate risk was present. The rotary heat exchanger also elevated the minimum relative humidity in each room, which could help to avoid negative health impacts. A discussion emphasized the potential benefits of selecting heat recovery to match the individual needs of each room. KeywordsDecentralized ventilation; single-room ventilation; room-based ventilation; rotary heat exchanger; moisture issues; mold risk; renovated buildings; energy retrofit; temperate climate. 2 Highlights• The simulated rotary heat exchanger provided moisture concerns in several rooms.• The rotary heat exchanger was only suitable for ventilation of so-called dry rooms.• Varying heat recovery or temperature can limit indoor relative humidity in dry rooms.• Single-room ventilation allows selection of heat recovery to match the needs of rooms. Nomenclature

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“…It is reported that airborne infection risk in large naturally ventilated hospital wards increases when ventilation rates decrease (Gilkeson et al 2013). Sundell et al (2011) referred that multiple health endpoints show similar relationships with ventilation rate and that there is biological plausibility for an association of health outcomes with ventilation rates. Higher ventilation rates in offices, up to about 25 L/s per person, are associated with reduced prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms.…”

Section: List Of Symbolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical evaluation of ventilation performance in children day care centres

et al. 2014

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Modelling of ventilation is strongly dependent on the physical characteristics of the building of which precise evaluation is a complex and time consuming task. In the frame of a research project, two children day care centres (CDCC) have been selected in order to measure the envelope air permeability, the flow rate of mechanical ventilation systems and indoor and outdoor temperature. The data obtained was used as input to the computer code CONTAM for ventilation simulations. The results obtained were compared with direct measurements of ventilation flow from short term measurements with CO2 tracer gas and medium term measurements with perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) gas decay method. After validation, in order to analyse the main parameters that affect ventilation, the model was used to predict the ventilation rates for a wide range of conditions. The purpose of this assessment was to find the best practices to improve natural ventilation. A simple analytical method to predict the ventilation flow rate of rooms is also presented. The method is based on the estimation of wind effect on the room through the evaluation of an average factor ( ) ¥ * 2 Δ / P ρ and on the assessment of relevant cross section of gaps and openings combined in series or in parallel. It is shown that it may be applied with acceptable accuracy for this type of buildings when ventilation is due essentially to wind action. Keywordschildren day care centre, air permeability, tracer gas, PFT,

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Ventilation rates and health: multidisciplinary review of the scientific literature

Cited by 563 publications

References 45 publications

Sick building syndrome: are we doing enough?

Sick building syndrome: are we doing enough?

The effect of a rotary heat exchanger in room-based ventilation on indoor humidity in existing apartments in temperate climates

Numerical evaluation of ventilation performance in children day care centres

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