Final published version
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Indoor Air Quality and Health Outcomes in Employees Working from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic
T2 - A Pilot Study
AU - Rho, Taehyun
AU - Moreno Rangel, Alejandro
AU - Baek, Juha
AU - Obeng, Alexander
AU - Tasnim Hasan, Nishat
AU - Carrillo, Genny
PY - 2021/12/11
Y1 - 2021/12/11
N2 - Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a significant impact on human health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more employees have worked remotely from home to reduce in-person contacts. This pilot study aims to measure the difference in workplace IAQ before and during the pandemic and its impact on employees’ health. The levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and total volatile organic chemicals (tVOC) were measured in the employees’ offices before the COVID-19 pandemic and at homes while working from home during the pandemic using Foobot air monitors. The frequencies of six Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms were evaluated at each period of monitoring. The result showed PM2.5 levels in households while working from home were significantly higher than in offices while working at the office in all participants (p<0.05). All households showed PM2.5 levels greater than the annual mean standard (12 µg/m3), while 90% of offices were in compliance. The tVOC levels were all below the guideline. We also found that more frequencies of SBS symptoms were observed while working from home as the IAQ was worse at home. This study suggested that working from home might have a detrimental health impact due to poor IAQ and providing interventions in remote employees should be considered.
AB - Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a significant impact on human health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more employees have worked remotely from home to reduce in-person contacts. This pilot study aims to measure the difference in workplace IAQ before and during the pandemic and its impact on employees’ health. The levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and total volatile organic chemicals (tVOC) were measured in the employees’ offices before the COVID-19 pandemic and at homes while working from home during the pandemic using Foobot air monitors. The frequencies of six Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms were evaluated at each period of monitoring. The result showed PM2.5 levels in households while working from home were significantly higher than in offices while working at the office in all participants (p<0.05). All households showed PM2.5 levels greater than the annual mean standard (12 µg/m3), while 90% of offices were in compliance. The tVOC levels were all below the guideline. We also found that more frequencies of SBS symptoms were observed while working from home as the IAQ was worse at home. This study suggested that working from home might have a detrimental health impact due to poor IAQ and providing interventions in remote employees should be considered.
KW - indoor air quality
KW - air monitor
KW - particulate matter 2.5
KW - COVID-19
KW - employee health
KW - remote work
U2 - 10.3390/atmos12121665
DO - 10.3390/atmos12121665
M3 - Journal article
VL - 12
JO - Atmosphere
JF - Atmosphere
SN - 2073-4433
IS - 12
M1 - 1665
ER -