Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-1989
Degree Name
Master of Science in Management Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
First Advisor
Howard Gage
Abstract
An examination of the effects of poor indoor air quality on workers in high rise office buildings was conducted. These effects are manifested physiologically, psychologically and economically and originate from sources inside and outside the building, as well as from the building's ventilation system. These sources include combustion products, microorganisms, volatile organic chemicals, cigarette smoke and miscellaneous chemicals. Lower productivity and higher absenteeism are the initial results of these effects. If the situation becomes chronic, an erosion of trust between employer and employee can occur which may eventually serve as the basis for litigation, such as worker's compensation claims and suits filed against the building's owner.
Investigations were conducted following a step by step approach which included a background assessment of the problem, personnel interviews, a walk-through evaluation, environmental monitoring and an examination of the building's ventilation system. With regard to environmental monitoring, carbon dioxide levels were used as an indication of how well the ventilation system was diluting the concentration of other potential contaminants, such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Temperature and humidity were also measured.
Epidemiological studies were conducted in two high-rise office buildings in New York City. Both studies were characterized by symptoms similar to those associated with poor indoor air quality; eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, skin rashes, nausea and difficulty in breathing. Air monitoring failed to implicate any point source contaminants (carbon monoxide or formaldehyde). In both studies the ventilation system was identified as the chief source of the problem. Improper mixing and distribution of air, inadequate intake volumes of fresh outdoor air and lack of maintenance were the major contributing factors. These conclusions were corroborated by the air monitoring results which found wide variations in temperature and humidity, and elevated indoor carbon dioxide levels. Also, air flow measurements did not meet original design requirements.
Primary mitigating procedures were recommended, including proper balancing of the ventilation system, introduction of adequate volumes of fresh air into the office space, and instituting a program of preventive maintenance for the ventilation system.
Recommended Citation
Luongo, Richard Patrick, "The effects of degraded indoor air quality on employees working in high rise office buildings" (1989). Theses. 2839.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/2839
Included in
Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons
