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http://dx.doi.org/10.14479/jkoos.2016.21.3.265

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality and the Eye Symptom of Occupants in Newly-built Office Building after Planting Indoor Plants  

Kim, Hyojin (Division of Health Science, Department of Visual Optics, Baekseok University)
Kim, Ho-Hyun (Dept. of Integrated Environmental Systems, Pyeongtaek University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society / v.21, no.3, 2016 , pp. 265-274 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between worker's ophthalmoxerosis symptom and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) variation after planting indoor plants at newly-built office building. Methods: We selected a new office building located in Sejong-si and occupants who work in the Office for study. The indoor air pollutant was investigated according to applying indoor plants. The indoor air quality of the new building was evaluated by measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, temperature and humidity. The level of dry eye symptoms was classified into normal, mild, moderate and severe by using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: There was VOCs' reduction effect according to placing indoor plants because the concentration of VOCs in newly-built government office (Sejong-si) was highly decreased when the indoor plants was placed at the office. The occupants' SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score was gradually decreased in accordance with applying indoor plants. However, SBS symptoms score was increased when the office was not applied indoor plants. There was not statistical significance in workers' dry eye questionnaire results. Conclusions: There was reduction effect of indoor air pollutant in applied indoor plants office. Also, in case of questionnaire results of ophthalmoxerosis and SBS (Sick Building Syndrome) symptoms score were showed positive effect. This study is needed longer-term study because of complements of difference of individual sensitivity and there are some limitations due to field survey research.
Keywords
Office building; Eye symptom; Indoor plants; IAQ;
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