The present paper shows that introducing or removing the same pollution source in an office in two independent investigations, one in Denmark and one in Sweden, using similar experimental methodology, resulted in similar and repeatable effects on subjective assessments of perceived air quality, intensity of sick building syndrome symptoms and performance of office work. Removing the pollution source improved the perceived air quality, decreased the perceived dryness of air and the severity of headaches, and increased typing performance. These effects were observed separately in each experiment and were all significant (P0.05) after combining the data from both studies, indicating the advantages of pollution source strength control for health, comfort, and productivity.

Practical Implications

Present results indicate further the benefits of good indoor air quality for health, comfort, and productivity. They also demonstrate that providing good indoor air quality can be achieved effectively by avoiding or reducing indoor air pollution sources and by selecting low-polluting building materials, both being low-cost and energy-efficient solutions.

• experiment: laboratory : statistical comparitive experiment with human
• IAQ: Health

1. Ventilation and health in non-industrial indoor environments: report from a European Multidisciplinary Scientific Consensus Meeting (EUROVEN)  

1. Air turbulence and sensation of draught
2. Airflow characteristics in the occupied zone of ventilated spaces.
3. Impact of temperature and humidity on the perception of indoor air qualit
4. Indoor air quality in the 21st century: search for excellence
5. The impact of sorption on perceived indoor air quality.
6. Thermal Comfort
7. Ventilation and health in non-industrial indoor environments: report from a European Multidisciplinary Scientific Consensus Meeting (EUROVEN)