Indoor air quality in climatized environments – Verification of physical parameters and carbon dioxide in bank agencies

Abstract

The presence of chemical and biological pollutants in the indoor air of public buildings creates conditions that may prejudice the health and productivity of employees. Thus, these places need air conditioning well designed, to provide adequate ventilation rates to ensure the comfort of its occupants and the aseptic of environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the indoor air quality (IAQ) in a bank located in south-central region of Parana state, Brazil, by checking the physical parameters of comfort (temperature, relative humidity and average air speed) and the concentrations of carbon dioxide, following the procedure recommended by Resolution No. 09 of the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). The results showed that the IAQ in those environments was compromised, once some of the parameters showed values higher than those recommended by that resolution. High concentrations of CO2 obtained can be justified by the lack of renewal of air. It is suggested that, for improvements occurring in the IAQ, the air conditioning systems must to be substituted for those especially designed for that environment and that allowed the renewal of the air at rates acceptable to the existing legislation.