식물이 실내공기질과 재실자 작업능률에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study is intended to provide the basic data needed for identifying the indoor air quality which will help improve the work performance of the office workers as well as working out the improvement measure, and it’s also aimed at developing the effect of the indoor plant on indoor air quality incorporating the actual circumstance so as to present the effect on work performance. The results of such researches as the evaluation of previous researches on air pollutant attenuation mechanism and indoor air quality attenuation effect, the effect of the plant on improving indoor air quality under the simulated circumstance similar with the reality, the psychological and physiological effect of the indoor plant on occupants which influence on work performance, and the investigation and verification of air quality in small office are outlined as follows.

1. The need to improve of analysis method for analysis of the effect of the plant on indoor air quality based on actual circumstance of the office The setting condition of lighting and CO2 concentration for analysis method of previous researches on indoor air quality attenuation effect of the plants is different from circumstance similar with the reality office through the results of such researches as the standards of indoor environment quality, reviews research relevant the actual circumstance, and field study in office. In terms of light compensation and CO2 compensation of plants, it is overrated. The analysis method for the effect of the plant on indoor air quality was improved with 1000lx (Daylight and fluorescent lamp 300lx) and CO2 density condition which is steadily increased by experimental animal(Hamsters), by incorporating the light and CO2 condition focusing on optimum growth of plant from the stand point of existing researches.

2. The effect of the plant on indoor air quality based on actual circumstance of the office Even though preferences in light intensity and wavelength of each experiment indoor plants are all very different and varied, but they has similar effect of the indoor air quality such based on actual light environment condition of the office and previous researches which has set higher than actual space. In the wake of comparing with existing method, CO2 reduction appeared to be lower with Case 1(CO2 density was set higher than actual space at the initial than Case 2(density was increased gradually) and the effect was increased as time passed. Inflection point appeared when a leaf area was 9000㎠ in case of peace lily and areca palm and 6000㎠ in case of weeping fig, which indicated the maximum input density with regard to photosynthesis in such a chamber volume(0.5㎥). Converting into the value per 1㎥ leaf for easily application to actual space, peace lily and areca palm was 18000㎠/㎥ and weeping fig was 12000㎠/㎥. If more studies of this method it will be ready for public use to estimate the maximum input density in office. When incorporating the light condition of actual office space, areca palm, Weeping fig and Peace lily appeared to have had higher adaptability, and when incorporating light condition and CO2 condition together, Areca palm was found to have had highest adaptability. Thus the priority could be given to Areca palm when reducing CO2 using indoor plant in temperate regions including Korea.

3. The effect of Plant’s CO2 reduction effect on work performance Irrespective of gender and availability of plant, the subject felt worsening indoor air quality (I.V) as CO2 density increased(linear slope:0.44) which caused to increase the psychological stress(S.V)(linearslope:-0.42) and had effect on body temperature regulation system so that the subject feels less thermal comfort(T.V) though it’s in significant(linearslope:-0.33) (R2=0.9:I.V, S.V, T.V). Mean skin temperature (MST) of the subject and local temperature (Local) (linear slope: -0.34) were influenced by CO2 density and particularly, local skin temperature fell about 1℃ when CO2 density increased 1000ppm. The state of equilibrium on the autonomic nerves was broken and capacity to deal with the air quality stress were influenced by CO2 density. Viewing the accuracy and correction rate of typing, increase in CO2 had negative effect on productivity. The stress by indoor air quality appeared to have had more effect on productivity in quantity (speed) than quality (accuracy, correction rate). Overall workload, psychological need, physical need and time need showed a slight increasing slope(+) Complaining of SBS symptoms and perceived symptoms of fatigue were increased by CO2 density. Occupants appeared to have been more sensitive to indoor air quality had significant effect on neurotic fatigue. Influences on physiological and psychological effect of on human body and work performance by the air quality stress were less when the plant was placed compared to the case of no plant. And women were more sensitive to indoor air quality than men. 4. Verification of room air quality improvement effect by the plant in the office 4 offices with similar architectural pattern were selected for the test and as a result of measuring during working hours in summer (July~September) with and without the plant (20 pots of Areca palm and Benjamin, respectively) all offices with the plants, except Office C, showed generally lower density. Particularly, CO2 density was significantly increased during 9∼12, 13∼16 hours since the plants we replaced, the slope became slow about 23%, 45%, which was the similar density variation pattern from the chamber test result, indicating the indoor air quality improving effect by the plant was higher under the CO2 density pattern in actual office space. Viewing the difference between the maximum and minimum CO2 density of each office(△CO2), in case of the office with the plant appeared to be lower in maximum value and slightly higher in minimum value. It was showed that plant was more effected to be lower in maximum value.

The outcome obtained from the study is expected to be used as the basic data in evaluating the effect and determining the optimal input quantity as part of the way to enhance the indoor air quality, as well as to make commitment to understanding the effect of room air quality on work performance.

Given this study had the limit with kind of plant for indoor and the test frequency, more diverse test and adaptability test considering the actual space environment are needed in a bid to promote the introduction of more diverse plants and to quantify the effect of air environment by the plant.