Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Impact of Indoor Plants on Indoor Air Quality and Occupational Health in Newly Built Public Building Offices - Focusing on Allergic Conjunctivitis and Stress-related Symptom Questionnaires -

신축건물 사무실내 식물 적용의 실내 공기질 및 재실자 건강영향 평가 - 알레르기 비결막염 및 스트레스 관련 증상설문을 중심으로 -

  • Lee, Yong Won (Division of Pulmonology-Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute for Translational & Clinical Research, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lim, Young Wook (Institute for Environmental Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Kwang-Jin (Urban Agriculture Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration) ;
  • Kim, Ho-Hyun (Department of Information, Communication and Technology Convergence, ICT Environment Convergence, Pyeongtaek University)
  • 이용원 (가톨릭관동대학교 의과대학 국제성모병원 내과(호흡기-알레르기), 임상의학연구원) ;
  • 임영욱 (연세대학교 환경공해연구소) ;
  • 김광진 (농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 도시농업과) ;
  • 김호현 (평택대학교 ICT 융합학부 ICT 환경융합전공)
  • Received : 2017.08.16
  • Accepted : 2017.08.19
  • Published : 2017.08.28
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Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the impacts of indoor plants on indoor air quality and occupational health, focusing on allergic rhinconjunctivitis and stress among employees in new office buildings. Methods: A total of 34 employees working at new public office buildings were enrolled as subjects (n=17, with indoor plants) and as a control (n=17) group. Before and after introducing indoor plants for three months, indoor air quality measurements including VOCs and aldehydes and questionnaires on sick building syndrome, AR symptoms (ARIA based), stress (DASS 42, KOSS, and SACL), and indoor characteristics were performed and statistically analysed. Results: Among the 34 enrolled subjects, 19 were included in the probable AR subject group (subjects with indoor plants, n=8, control n=11) and completed all questionnaires. Statistical analyses were done for total, AR subject groups, and controls. As a result, it was confirmed that major indoor air pollutants decreased after the introduction of indoor plants (p<0.5). Among major symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, watery rhinorrhea, nasal stuffiness, and nasal itching indexes decreased (p<0.5, respectively). A decrease was noted in some areas of work-related stress indexes (mainly KOSS) among the subject group (total and AR) and a decrease of indoor environmental attractiveness among the control group (total and AR) (p<0.5, for all). Conclusions: Indoor plants may help reduce indoor air pollutants and decrease AR symptoms and work-related stress of employees in newly built office buildings. Various further follow-up studies on the mechanism of environmental, physical, and emotional influences and utilization of indoor plants in association with allergic diseases will be needed.

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