Health Aspects of Indoor Environmental Quality

Abstract

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the environmental quality inside the building that affects the comfort and health of those who occupy it. It determines the indoor air quality in terms of thermal comfort, lighting condition, odor, noise pollution, etc. Building occupants are exposed to poor environmental quality due to different types of contaminants generated from cleaning products, building materials, paints, construction activities, cigarette smoke, and perfumes. Poor lighting, inefficient ventilation, humidity, and thermal discomfort trigger sick building syndrome which leads to poor health condition, resulting in low productivity and absenteeism in educational institutes and offices. This problem is gaining attention of scientists and engineers in both developed and developing countries. This chapter focuses on the need of IEQ inside the buildings and factors affecting it.