Indoor Air Quality in Hospitality Venues

More than one-half (56 percent) of all hotels and motels and slightly less than one-half (43 percent) of all restaurants in the US were built during or after the 1970s, the decade during which energy conservation became a national concern and priority. In response to changes in building design, construction, operation and maintenance to save energy as well as the increasing use of synthetic building materials, the quality of indoor air diminished and building occupants began to report building-related symptoms (BRS), such as headache, eye irritation, nose and throat irritation, and general fatigue to name a few examples. In addition, hotels and motels, especially in hot and humid climates, experienced significant problems with indoor mold growth.

Hospitality venues comprise almost 15 percent of all buildings in the US. This category includes food sales, food services, such as restaurants and lodging (see Table 1).[1]

Designing and constructing a hotel, motel or restaurant that provides acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ), whether it is new construction or renovation of an existing structure, is a process during which each step is interdependent on those coming before and after. Failure in one step risks failure in subsequent steps and ultimately in the building itself. The lack of communication and coordination among the design professionals and construction team, and between the general contractor and subcontractors often compounds the risk of failure, especially if the project gets behind schedule. Once occupied, proper operation and maintenance of a building are also of prime importance as poorly operated and maintained buildings are prone to more IAQ problems. Another inherent risk is the lack of expertise and understanding of how the interrelationship of numerous factors can contribute to poor IAQ, both during design and construction and after occupancy.

Sustainable and green building is becoming more popular in hotels and motels in an effort to make guests who have asthma, allergies or multiple chemical sensitivities more comfortable. These buildings also are environmentally friendlier by preserving both the indoor and outdoor environments through water and energy conservation measures and careful selection of building sites; building design; recycled materials; lighting, and materials, finishes and furnishings that emit low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For example, in Philadelphia's Sheraton Rittenhouse Hotel, which calls itself the country's first "environmentally smart" hotel, 70 percent of each room's air is replaced every half-hour.[2] In addition, the hotel features nontoxic building materials, including low VOC-content paints, adhesives and furniture (with baked on finishes). The hotel also features recycled granite, nightstands made from old shipping pallets, and wallcoverings made from bamboo, one of the most sustainable products on earth as it grows 60 feet a year.[3]

Another example is the Natural Place Environmental Residence and Hotel in Florida, which was designed specifically for people who are chemically sensitive. The rooms are free of anything that may trigger reactions in people with environmental allergies, such as oil-based paints, fragrances, artificial fabrics and pesticides. Pesticides are not used on the shrubbery, and guests are asked not to wear perfume or cologne.[4]

This portion of the Aerias site takes a closer look at variables that impact IEQ in hospitality buildings, as well as what to do to solve and prevent IAQ problems, including:

• Building materials
  

• Building occupants
  

• Indications of IAQ problems
  

• Indoor pollutants
  

• Furnishings, finishes and products
  

• Assessment

• Prevention

Detailed articles addressing specific topics are accessible from each of these sections, by clicking on the topic listed in the navigation menu to the right side of this page.

References

1. 1999 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey, Energy Information Administration. Washington, DC. www.eia.doe.gov. Visited March 24, 2004.
   

2. Gould KL. Biofiltration could become an effective means of combating poor indoor air quality. Architectural Record. 1999;187(10):214.
   

3. Hotel to offer "green" amenities. Building Design and Construction. Sept.16, 1998.
   

4. American News Service. Breath of fresh air in tourism. The Times Union (Albany, NY). August 13, 2000; A16.