Elucidation of Theoretical Challenges of Indoor Air Quality in Green Buildings and Opportunities for Improvement

Abstract :

Green buildings, designed today with a focus on energy efficiency, emphasize energy and resource performance while often paying less attention to indoor air quality (IAQ). The lack of optimal indoor air quality in many of these buildings disrupts occupants’ health and may lead to irreversible damage. This article, with a practical aim of elucidating opportunities for improving indoor air quality, investigates the challenges associated with IAQ in green buildings. To this end, the study first reviews the definitions of green buildings and indoor air quality, examining how green buildings address IAQ through a documentary and library-based research method. Subsequently, employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the study compares the indoor air quality of green and conventional buildings, identifying so-called "green" measures that adversely affect IAQ. Through qualitative content analysis, a set of strategies for improving indoor air quality is proposed. The findings indicate that, although the perceived indoor air quality in green buildings is generally higher than in conventional buildings, being "green" does not necessarily guarantee superior IAQ. Based on a synthesis of theoretical data, in addition to ventilation, emphasis should be placed on strategies such as source control and reducing occupants’ exposure to pollutants. Proposed strategies for enhancing IAQ include mandating compliance with indoor air quality guidelines for key pollutants, awarding points in green building certifications for reducing and minimizing pollutants, developing IAQ indicators and criteria, providing incentives for testing the emission levels of building materials, conducting regular IAQ monitoring, and assessing the interactive effects of solutions on other green building production criteria in relation to IAQ.