INTRODUCTION
In the last 25 years, it has been observed that the development of technology and the changes in the social environment have changed the structure and design of buildings. In this changing world, technology has introduced a considerable space for enjoying the lifestyle; however, it has also introduced contaminants that can potentially introduce pollution in the indoor space. The technology has provided contaminants that contain microbes, poisonous gases, tobacco smoke, allergens, and many other particulates. To reduce such contamination in the indoor space, this research concentrates on adapting techniques that can help reduce and control air pollution in the indoor area of the buildings. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is related to contaminants that can be both biological and chemical. Indoor air quality is a group of indoor environmental quality (IEQ), including various pollutants, such as temperature, microbes, and particulates. The indoor air quality is defined as the quality of air present between the indoor space of the building and the building’s outer environment. It is related to a healthy area and provides a healthy environment to the people living in large buildings. However, this research proposal focuses on providing ideas and methods through which air quality can be controlled in the indoor space.
BACKGROUND
It is challenging to measure the quality of indoor air because a lack of compatible types of equipment andliving in polluted cities and towns.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
In this research proposal the objectives of the researcher are:
- To identify the impact of pollutants in indoor space.
- To analyse the quality of indoor air in office buildings.
- To determine the health problems related to pollutants in indoor buildings.
- To identify the importance of air controllers.
- To provide recommendation on controlling air pollution in indoors.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In this research proposal the research questions are:
- What are the external factors that influence the increase in air pollution?
- What are the health issues that occur due to pollutants?
- How can such issues can be reduced?
LITERATURE REVIEW
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN OFFICE AND BUILDINGS
The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has a huge impact on the health of residents as well as on the employees working in the congested office. This has created a huge challenge in the workplace and buildings as most of the residents have breathing issues due to the presence of air pollutants in the indoor space. However, constructors and architectures are looking forward to designing the building with various strategies that can help in designing buildings in such a way that the quality of air in the building can be controlled and improved. The quality of the air can be controlled by increasing the rate of ventilation as it can help in reducing the pollutants present in the indoor space. Another strategy can be implemented by detecting the source of pollution and reducing the source as it can help in the reduction of pollutants in the indoor space. The builders and architectures should focus on the rate of ventilation and it should be directly linked to the reduction of air pollutants from the outer environment. Most of the crowded cities and towns have high pollution rates and do not have ventilators. This creates a passage for the air pollutants to enter the space and can cause serious health issues in many residents and one of the major sources of air pollution is the materials used in developing buildings and offices, the materials from paints and fax machines, the pollutants from the outside environment and many more. However, the principles of green buildings have provided various methods through which the percentage of pollutants in the indoor space can be reduced and the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can be improved through the objectives of green buildings.
However, it is very important to focus on the chemical and biological factors that are linked to indoor air quality. Such factors are controlled by biomarkers that help in monitoring the biological and chemical factors of indoor air quality. Another factor that can help in reducing air pollution in office and building is the implementation of natural ventilation which not only provides better quality of air but also provides cooling effects to the residents. In many journal articles, it has been observed that those offices and buildings who have installed the natural ventilations do not suffer from any kind of lung disease and the people can work efficiently with the cooling effect provided by the natural ventilators. This natural ventilation also reduces the concentration of ozone in the indoor space and helps in providing clean and fresh air in the indoor space of the buildings and offices. Moreover, natural ventilation helps in increasing the ventilation rates and enhances the rate of exchange of air by reducing the indoor emissions and enhances the rate of surface removal of pollutants present in the indoor environment of buildings and offices.
EFFECT OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH
While developing designs of building and during the collection of data from various journal papers it has been observed that many occupants have health disease due to the presence of air pollutants in the indoor space of buildings and offices and such health problems are grouped under Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Sick building syndrome occurs due to the presence of air particles or chemical particles in the indoor environment of offices, buildings, and buildings near the construction area. Many factors can give rise to health problems related to indoor air particles and that includes chemical particles from construction sites, from personal types of equipment, and many other particles that arise from the outer polluted environment. Even the change in temperature, climate, humidity, and biological pollutants can contribute to the development of sick building syndrome. Some of the common symptoms that arise due to the presence of indoor pollutants are irritation in the throat, nose, eyes which eventually leads to headache, cough, depression, and sensitivity to light. To reduce such health issues researchers are developing in making innovations that can help the occupants to inhale fresh air. In most journal papers, it has been observed that around 70% to 80% of occupants suffer from sick building syndrome in mechanically ventilated buildings. This has created issues and challenges in many employees and because of such issues, they have become less productive at the workplace. To reduce such health issues it is very important to install natural ventilation as it helps in the exchange of air and provides fresh and refreshing air to occupants.
However, by the implementation of ventilation, several other factors can develop health issues which include dust, molds, allergens, mites, volatile organic compounds, tobacco smoke, lighting, carbon monoxide, and pesticides. Such pollutants are required to be diminished through the implementation of air purifiers that helps in controlling and reducing the pollutants that are present in the environment. Moreover, it is the responsibility of researchers and builders to develop and design buildings in such a way that can help the resident to stay with fresh air and with less pollutant. According to the research on indoor air quality and health diseases, it is very important to develop and design buildings that have a lower level of exposure to the chemicals, and the indoor air should be monitored regularly so that any changes or contamination in the indoor space can be detected. While engineering the design of buildings, the engineer should focus on pipelines and water leakage as most of the microbes enter through the moist area and their presence can cause contamination in the air. Moist pipelines and dampness also change the humidity inside the buildings that can allow the entry of mites and molds which can cause diseases related to lungs and eyes. Therefore, it is very important to develop equipment and other techniques as well as natural instruments that can help in monitoring the indoor air quality and can provide a good environment to the occupants who stay in the congested building and works at congested offices.