A longitudinal study of ventilation rates in California office buildings and self-reported occupant outcomes including respiratory illness absence

Within the observed range of uniformly low CO2 and high VRs (mostly 16-42 L/s per person), little variation in contaminant concentrations would be expected, which would explain lack of relationships with occupant outcomes. These high VRs resulted partly from frequently used energy-saving “economizer” cycles in moderate California climates, but VRs at other times also substantially exceeded required VRs. These findings suggest, consistent with theory, that within a higher VR range, increased VRs do not reduce respiratory illness. Further studies are needed to better characterize such relationships.