Abstract
Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is detrimental to human health. As part of a larger research study, aimed to increase understanding and accountability regarding chemical off-gassing of building products and their impact on IAQ and human health, interior design students were exposed to a variety of common building products in a Fall 2023 college course. Twenty-three students painted, sanded and applied 16 building products while an IAQ monitor measured the associated VOC (volatile organic compound) levels in a university laboratory. IAQ measurements varied and notably, spray paint produced a very high VOC value of 38,820ppb. In an IRB-approved post-test survey, students reported that this exercise helped them gain an understanding of the importance of considering VOCs and IAQ in future building projects. There are IAQ implications for building or renovating healthcare facilities. Construction workers and future end-users, including healthcare and human services workers, as well as patients, may be exposed to health risks in healthcare settings. Via the hands-on education of building industry students, in activities such as the current exercise, building product specifiers and decision-makers may be made aware of IAQ consequences of building products before they are allowed to be installed in healthcare facilities and potentially cause harm.