Exposure to Indoor PM2.5 and Perception of Air Quality and Productivity in an Office Building: An Intervention Study

Abstract

Health impacts of exposure to particulate matter can be wide-ranging, with some evidence suggesting potential impacts on cognition and productivity. This study was conducted in an urban mixed-mode ventilated office in China. Sixty eligible employees agreed to participate in the study and fifty-five valid responses were obtained. The perception of air quality, productivity and wellbeing were assessed via questionnaires during three conditions: intervention, control, and baseline (a week prior to the intervention). Portable air purifiers on the subjects’ workstations were used as the intervention to control the PM2.5 level at subjects’ breathing zone. The air purifiers during the off and on status were considered as control and intervention conditions respectively. The same cohort was divided into four groups separately participating in each of three conditions on different workdays via a crossover design. The following PM2.5 levels [Average (SD)] during the three conditions (Baseline/Control/Intervention) were:[26.7 (2.1)/18.0 (1.8)/3.7 (0.9)] µg/m³.These levels correspond to interim targets of WHO guidelines for PM2.5. Analysis indicates significant differences between control and intervention regarding perception and satisfaction of air quality, thermal satisfaction and productivity