Indoor Air Pollution and Human Perception in Public Buildings in Tianjin, China

In recent years public health problems caused by indoor air pollution, such as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), have been drawing strong public concerns. This study aims at investigating the indoor environment quality (IEQ) and people's perception in public buildings in Tianjin, China. Indoor environment parameters including air temperature, relative humidity, air speed, TVOC, formaldehyde and CO2 were monitored at two office buildings and two shopping malls, which located in Tianjin region. The measurement was done during January 2014-December 2014. Occupants’ perception on indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal environment, and SBS symptoms were surveyed by questionnaire. Approximately 31.5% and 2.5% of the samples in two offices exceeded the Chinese National Indoor Air Quality Standard for formaldehyde (0.08 mg/m3), as well as 19.9% and 55.3% of samples in two shopping malls. High formaldehyde concentration, especially in the mall, should be of health effect concern. It was indicated that indoor air quality (IAQ) may lead to SBS symptoms in public building in Tianjin.