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Cited by 740Indoor Air Quality and Microbial ExposureInfection Control and VentilationBuilding Energy and Comfort Optimization

Ventilation rates and health: Multidisciplinary review of the scientific literature

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Sundell, J., Levin, H., Nazaroff, W. W., Cain, W. S., Fisk, W. J., Grimsrud, D. T., Gyntelberg, F., Li, Y. +6 more·2011·Indoor Air
DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2010.00703.x
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Abstract

UNLABELLED: The scientific literature through 2005 on the effects of ventilation rates on health in indoor environments has been reviewed by a multidisciplinary group. The group judged 27 papers published in peer-reviewed scientific journals as providing sufficient information on both ventilation rates and health effects to inform the relationship. Consistency was found across multiple investigations and different epidemiologic designs for different populations. Multiple health endpoints show similar relationships with ventilation rate. There is biological plausibility for an association of health outcomes with ventilation rates, although the literature does not provide clear evidence on particular agent(s) for the effects. Higher ventilation rates in offices, up to about 25 l/s per person, are associated with reduced prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. The limited available data suggest that inflammation, respiratory infections, asthma symptoms and short-term sick leave increase with lower ventilation rates. Home ventilation rates above 0.5 air changes per hour (h(-1)) have been associated with a reduced risk of allergic manifestations among children in a Nordic climate. The need remains for more studies of the relationship between ventilation rates and health, especially in diverse climates, in locations with polluted outdoor air and in buildings other than offices. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Ventilation with outdoor air plays an important role influencing human exposures to indoor pollutants. This review and assessment indicates that increasing ventilation rates above currently adopted standards and guidelines should result in reduced prevalence of negative health outcomes. Building operators and designers should avoid low ventilation rates unless alternative effective measures, such as source control or air cleaning, are employed to limit indoor pollutant levels.

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  1. [26]26. Janssen, J.E. (1999) The history of ventila- tion and temperature control, ASHRAE Journal, 41, 48-70.
  2. [27]27. Jennings, B.H. and Armstrong, J.A. (1971) Ventilation theory and practice, ASHRAE Transactions, 77, 50-60.
  3. [28]28. Klauss, A.K., Tull, R.H., Roots, L.M. and Pfafflin, J.R. (1970) History of changing concepts in ventilation requirements, ASHRAE Journal, 12, 51-55.
  4. [47]47. Stanke, D. (1999) Ventilation through the years: a perspective, ASHRAE Journal, 41, 40-43.
  5. [52]52. Tredgold, T. (1836) Principles of Warming and Ventilation -Ventilating Public Buildings, 3rd edition, London, M.
  6. [62]62. Yaglou, C.P., Riley, E.C. and Coggins, D.I. (1936) Ventilation requirements, ASHVE Transactions, 42, 133-162.

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Authors
Sundell, J., Levin, H., Nazaroff, W. W., Cain, W. S., Fisk, W. J., Grimsrud, D. T., Gyntelberg, F., Li, Y., Persily, A. K., Pickering, A. C., Samet, J. M., Spengler, J. D., Taylor, S. T., & Weschler, C. J.
Affiliations
  • Technical University of Denmark (DK)
  • University of California, Berkeley (US)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
  • Bispebjerg Hospital (DK)
  • University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (US)
  • Wythenshawe Hospital (GB)
  • University of Southern California (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
Corresponding author
Levin, H.
ORCID
Venue
Indoor Air
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-02-01
Volume
21
Issue
3
Pages
191-204
ISSN
0905-6947 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1111/j.1600-0668.2010.00703.x
OpenAlex
W2157363636
Cited by
740
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 49 · 2025: 53 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 76 · 2020: 71 · 2019: 53 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 45 · 2016: 44 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 36 · 2012: 26
FWCI
2.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 1673 d)
Locations
  • Indoor Air (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Infection Control and Ventilation
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Building Energy and Comfort Optimization
Keywords
ventilation rate, indoor air quality, sick building syndrome, respiratory infections, asthma symptoms, sick leave, indoor pollutants, office buildings, residential ventilation, air changes per hour, building design standards
MeSH terms
Asthma, Communicable Diseases, Housing, Humans, Respiratory Tract Infections, Schools, Ventilation, Air Pollution, Indoor, Workplace, Sick Leave, Sick Building Syndrome, Interdisciplinary Communication

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