Indoor air quality assessment of RANA Cowork facilities in Valladolid
Indoor Air Quality Assessment
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “health is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Nowadays,
our lifestyle makes us spend 80% of our time indoors. Knowing that, it is not surprising
the increasing concern about the quality of the air we breathe. It is essential that work
environments keep adequate air quality to guarantee the physical and psychical welfare of
workers. Low air quality is related in some cases to the “sick building syndrome”, in which
affected individuals suffer from a variety of physical symptoms as well as a loss of productivity.
An increasing number of studies is proving the relation between worker welfare and increased
productivity.
The VOC and Odours group collaborates with the new coworking space Rana Cowork which
started working in February 2013 by studying and following the Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs, which are usually released by paints, furniture coatings and varnishes) and CO2
amounts in the indoor air. By means of Solid Phase Micro-extraction techniques to pre-
concentrate the trace concentrations of pollutants found in the air and TCD and Mass
Spectrometry chromatography we are able to identify the compounds and semi-quantitatively
follow their concentrations, apparition or depletion. This will provide interesting information
on the evolution of air quality since the beginning of the activity in the office. We also try to
identify which are the activities causing air quality deterioration and propose preventive and
remedial actions (such as ventilation strategies or indoor plants) if necessary. A new field
experience for us in which we are already obtaining interesting results.
Find more about us:
Twitter: @VOC_odours
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VocOdoursGroup
+Info in Spanish (RANA Cowork Web)
