IAQ in modern office buildings in Europe: the OFFICAIR Project

Background. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in modern office buildings is poorly described whereas specific sources emit respiratory tract and eye irritants. Relationships between indoor environment, health and wellbeing of occupants are complex, including a psychosocial component. Aims. The OFFICAIR project aims at improving knowledge on indoor environment in modern office buildings in Europe and its impacts on health and comfort. 167 buildings in 8 countries have been studied via a questionnaire to the occupants on environmental, physiological, psychological and social aspects and a descriptive checklist. A subsample of 36 buildings was selected for an extensive monitoring survey. Methods. The IAQ of the 36 buildings was investigated twice in summer 2012 and winter 2012-2013. Four rooms and one outdoor location were monitored from Monday to Friday. Temperature and relative humidity were measured continuously. Volatile organic compound, aldehyde, nitrogen dioxide and ozone concentrations were measured through p...