Thermal and indoor air quality effects on physiological responses, perception and performance of tropically acclimatized people

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the occupantsa?? responses to the thermal environment (air temperature) and indoor air quality (outdoor air supply rate). Results are derived from a series of independent intervention studies in real offices and two field laboratory experiments. The mechanisms for transducing the effects of indoor conditions to work performance were explored. The intervening variables are perceptual responses including the SBS symptoms and physiological measures such as cutaneous responses and salivary biomarkers. Thermal environment and indoor air quality significantly affect the work performance of tropically acclimatized office workers. These effects are associated with changes of perceptual responses, SBS symptoms and/or physiological measures. Two mechanisms via perceptual constructs and psycho-physiological measures are established as plausible pathways related to work performance. A structural model, termed: Man - Performance - Indoor Environment Structural Model (MPIESM), is developed. Increased performance of 3.0-8.2% justifies the costs of improved thermal condition or indoor air quality.