EFFECTS OF HUMIDITY AND INDOOR AIR CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS ON SUBJECTIVE THERMAL COMFORT AND PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract

Subjective experiments were conducted both in summer and winter in order to clarify the effects of humidity environment and indoor chemical pollutants on subjective comfort and productivity, and evaluate the seasonal difference of their reactions. Subjects were exposed to the three levels of humidity conditions and two indoor air quality levels performing the simulated office works. Concentration of formaldehyde was lower in low humidity environment. The effects of environmental humidity and indoor air quality on subjective thermal comfort were moderate under thermally neutral conditions in both seasons. Perceived air quality was affected by indoor air quality under the polluted condition and by humidity environment under the clean condition. Irritations of mucous were found under polluted conditions in winter though they were not found in summer. Environmental humidity had larger effects on skin moisture than indoor air quality. Subjective performance was higher under clean condition than polluted condition with same humidity. Subjective performance was higher and their dificulty of concentration was lower under high humidity than that under low humidity in winter. The seasonal differences of eye dryness, BUT and skin moisture were found.