Sick building syndrome in air-conditioned museum
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2024
Abstract
Exposure to indoor contaminants in air-conditioned buildings can cause serious health effects to their occupants. The failure to control indoor air contaminants is one of the factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and is a major contributor to sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the maintenance of mechanical ventilation and air conditioning (MVAC) that is installed in museums towards IAQ and SBS. Data were collected through site visits and observations with a combination of field measurements and a questionnaire survey. The field measurements results show that several locations in the museums were in a state of heat discomfort. The recorded measurement of air velocity was very low and the average level of HCHO concentrations are above the permissible level. The correlation test between the satisfaction level of MVAC maintenance on IAQ and SBS also shows significant relationships, indicating that MVAC maintenance in the museum affects the comfort and health of the occupants.
Keywords
Indoor air quality, sick building syndrome, MVAC, museum, health
Divisions
BuildingSurveying
Publication Title
Museum Management and Curatorship
Volume
39
Issue
5
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Publisher Location
2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OX14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND