Indoor Air Quality and Health in Newly Constructed Apartments in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Surabaya, Indonesia

In times of rapid urbanization, increasing usage of chemicals in buildings, and energy saving measures, the topic of indoor air quality (IAQ) demands reinforced attention. Nevertheless, especially in developing countries with urgent building construction needs, IAQ has hardly been examined. This study investigates the condition of IAQ and health of occupants in newly constructed high-rise apartments in contrast to traditional detached houses (Kampongs) in Surabaya, Indonesia. Information on building attributes, cleaning and ventilation behavior, interior sources, personal characteristics and health, especially multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), was collected through 471 questionnaires. In addition, 76 measurements of TVOCs, formaldehyde and 30 measurements of mold risk were carried out. The results showed that the share of people in apartments with a very suggestive risk of MCS was twice as high as that in Kampongs (17.6% vs. 6.7%). Correlation analysis suggested that for both residential types, health problems, negative smell or perception of IAQ, and higher levels of stress determined higher degrees of MCS. For IAQ, high concentrations of formaldehyde and TVOCs were measured in apartments and corresponded to higher MCS risk, whereas severe mold issues were predicted in Kampongs. This study suggests major shortcomings in the indoor environment in newly constructed apartments for the physical and the mental health of occupants.

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Indoor air quality in green buildings: A case-study in a residential high-rise building in the northeastern United States

Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A ◽

10.1080/10934529.2015.981101 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 225-242 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Youyou Xiong ◽

Uta Krogmann ◽

Gediminas Mainelis ◽

Lisa A. Rodenburg ◽

Clinton J. Andrews

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Green Buildings ◽

Northeastern United States ◽

High Rise ◽

High Rise Building

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84. Ergonomic Solutions for an Indoor Air Quality Investigation: A Case Study

10.3320/1.2757984 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

P. Prendergast

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air

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350. Development and Implementation of an Indoor Air Quality Operations and Maintenance Program for a High-Rise Office Building

10.3320/1.2765028 ◽

1999 ◽

Author(s):

B. Epstien

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Office Building ◽

High Rise ◽

Maintenance Program ◽

Operations And Maintenance

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Assessing ventilation strategies in a school with observed indoor air problems

Facilities ◽

10.1108/f-03-2021-0019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Ulrika Uotila ◽

Arto Saari ◽

Juha-Matti Kalevi Junnonen ◽

Lari Eskola

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Final Decision ◽

Target Number ◽

Content Type ◽

Existing Building ◽

Ventilation Strategies

Purpose Poor indoor air quality in schools is a worldwide challenge that poses health risks to pupils and teachers. A possible response to this problem is to modify ventilation. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to pilot a process of generating alternatives for ventilation redesign, in an early project phase, for a school to be refurbished. Here, severe problems in indoor air quality have been found in the school. Design/methodology/approach Ventilation redesign is investigated in a case study of a school, in which four alternative ventilation strategies are generated and evaluated. The analysis is mainly based on the data gathered from project meetings, site visits and the documents provided by ventilation and condition assessment consultants. Findings Four potential strategies to redesign ventilation in the case school are provided for decision-making in refurbishment in the early project phase. Moreover, the research presents several features to be considered when planning the ventilation strategy of an existing school, including the risk of alterations in air pressure through structures; the target number of pupils in classrooms; implementing and operating costs; and the size of the space that ventilation equipment requires. Research limitations/implications As this study focusses on the early project phase, it provides viewpoints to assist decision-making, but the final decision requires still more accurate calculations and simulations. Originality/value This study demonstrates the decision-making process of ventilation redesign of a school with indoor air problems and provides a set of features to be considered. Hence, it may be beneficial for building owners and municipal authorities who are engaged in planning a refurbishment of an existing building.

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