Assessing the effect of indoor environmental quality on productivity at office work

In a real environment makes it very difficult to evaluate the effect of a single parameter on human productivity, mostly because many of them are present at the same time and act together on each occupant. This study is aimed at investigation of selected office building to determine the presence of polluting agents such as volatile organic compounds, particulate matters and carbon dioxide and to assess the perceived productivity by office occupants. Occupants performed simulated office work consisting of three tasks in three office spaces. The mean values of total volatile organic compounds were in line with those found in other studies; taking into account the guideline value suggested by Molhave (200 μg.m^-3). Mean values of PM₁₀ mass concentrations exceeded the indoor limit value (50 μg.m^-3) by 62.7% in office 1 and by 46.49% in reception. Concentrations of carbon dioxide in monitored office spaces were under the recommended concentration according to Pettenkofer (1800 mg.m^-3).