Associations of Indoor Environmental Quality Parameters with Students’ Perceptions in Undergraduate Dormitories: A Field Study in Beijing during a Transition Season
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Measurement of IEQ Parameters
2.2. Subjective Survey
3. Results
3.1. Measured IEQ Parameters
3.1.1. Thermal Environmental Parameters
3.1.2. IAQ Parameters
3.1.3. Noise Sound Pressure Level
3.2. Environmental Perceptions and Satisfaction
3.2.1. Thermal Environmental Parameters
3.2.2. IAQ
3.2.3. Acoustic Environment
3.2.4. Overall Satisfaction
3.3. Perceived Health and Well-Being
3.3.1. Health Symptoms
3.3.2. Well-Being
4. Discussion
4.1. Associations of IEQ Parameters with Students’ Perceptions
4.2. Measures for Improving IEQ
5. Conclusions
- (1)
- The thermal environment was relatively warm during the heating period, and temperatures dropped after the central heating stopped. The RH was generally moderate after the heating stopped, but there was some dryness during the heating period. The CO2 concentrations seriously exceeded the limit value, indicating insufficient natural ventilation. The indoor PM concentrations were basically below the limit values. The variations in the indoor PM concentrations had a relatively strong correlation with the corresponding outdoor concentrations. The noise sound pressure level sometimes exceeded 45 dB(A), which may seriously affect students’ rest and sleep.
- (2)
- The perceived thermal environment tended to be warm and dry during the heating period. The students thought that the thermal environment had become more comfortable after the central heating stopped, and their satisfaction with the temperature and the RH also increased. The overall satisfaction with the dormitory environment was quite low, especially for the air quality and acoustic conditions. The IEQ problems probably had a negative impact on students’ health and well-being. The students reported that many experienced acute health symptoms, as well as slightly low well-being. Sleep quality could also be partially affected by poor IEQ conditions.
- (3)
- Subjective perceptions and satisfaction were found to be well associated with the corresponding IEQ parameters. It could be speculated that students’ satisfaction and well-being could be effectively improved by reasonably adjusting the corresponding environmental parameters. Hence, feasible measures such as properly opening windows for ventilation, using heaters and humidifiers, and wearing earphones for personal entertainment are necessary to improve the IEQ of dormitories.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Category | Range | Resolution | Accuracy |
---|---|---|---|
Temperature | −40~80 °C | 0.1 °C | ±0.5 °C |
RH | 0~100% RH | 0.1% RH | ±5% RH |
CO2 | 0~5000 ppm | 1 ppm | ±40 ppm ± 3% reading |
PM2.5 | 0~1000 µg/m3 | 1 µg/m3 | ±10% F. S. 1 |
PM10 | 0~2000 µg/m3 | 1 µg/m3 | ±10% F. S. |
TVOC | 0~5.00 mg/m3 | 0.01 mg/m3 | <±20% |
Formaldehyde | 0~200 ppm | 0.01 ppm | <±0.05 ppm |
Sound pressure level | 35~120 dB(A) | 0.1 dB(A) | 1.5 dB(A) |
IEQ Parameters | Permissible Values | Notes |
---|---|---|
Temperature | 16~24 °C | Winter |
RH | 30~60% | Winter |
CO2 | 1000 ppm | 24 h average |
PM2.5 | 0.075 mg/m3 | 24 h average |
PM10 | 0.15 mg/m3 | 24 h average |
Formaldehyde | 0.1 mg/m3 | 1 h average |
TVOC | 0.6 mg/m3 | 8 h average |
Scale Score | Thermal Environment | Humidity Environment | Acoustic Environment | IAQ | Satisfaction Level |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
−3 | cold | very dry | very noisy | very poor | very dissatisfied |
−2 | cool | dry | noisy | poor | dissatisfied |
−1 | slightly cool | slightly dry | slightly noisy | slightly poor | slightly dissatisfied |
0 | neutral | neutral | neutral | neutral | neutral |
1 | slightly warm | slightly humid | slightly quiet | slightly good | slightly satisfied |
2 | warm | humid | quiet | good | satisfied |
3 | hot | very humid | very quiet | very good | very satisfied |
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Miao, D.; Cao, X.; Zuo, W. Associations of Indoor Environmental Quality Parameters with Students’ Perceptions in Undergraduate Dormitories: A Field Study in Beijing during a Transition Season. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 16997. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416997
Miao D, Cao X, Zuo W. Associations of Indoor Environmental Quality Parameters with Students’ Perceptions in Undergraduate Dormitories: A Field Study in Beijing during a Transition Season. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(24):16997. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416997
Chicago/Turabian StyleMiao, Dan, Xiaodong Cao, and Wenxin Zuo. 2022. "Associations of Indoor Environmental Quality Parameters with Students’ Perceptions in Undergraduate Dormitories: A Field Study in Beijing during a Transition Season" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 24: 16997. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416997