BACKGROUND
Sleep is an integral part of human life, the deprivation of which can have adverse impact on our normal activities and health. Adequate, consistent and quality sleep can improve longevity and lead to an increase in global life expectancy. The ongoing global pandemic, in which our homes have become our predominant indoor environment, has indeed given a new perspective to adequate and quality sleep. In a highly digitalised world where the line between work, family and social life is getting increasingly blurred, it has become rather challenging to find the few hours of quality sleep, especially in a conducive sleeping environment. It is important to acknowledge that sleep quality can be significantly affected by the thermal comfort, ventilation and IAQ in the bedroom. There is very little information in the scientific literature concerning these aspects. Are our bedrooms adequately ventilated at all times to maintain good IAQ? Is the thermal comfort of our bedroom acceptable across all seasons? Is our bedroom IAQ affecting our sleep quality? Are we even aware of these associations? What do international standards say about bedroom ventilation and IAQ?
AIMS AND SCOPE
This workshop will provide a framework to address the above questions and encourage an open discussion on the need and call to action towards enhancing the IAQ in sleeping environments across different climates. Short presentations will be made by domain experts to introduce some of the specific aspects of this workshop and provide an appropriate context and framework for a wider discussion by all the participants.
PRESENTATIONS
What is this Workshop about?
Chandra Sekhar, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
An overview of ventilation and IAQ Standards for bedrooms
Chandra Sekhar, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
Combined effects of thermal environment and ventilation on sleep quality
Li Lan, Shanghai Jiatong University (SJTU), Shanghai, China
Sleep research with portable polysomnography in the bedroom
Mizuho Akimoto, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Effect of aromatic environment on human sleep quality
Zhiwei Lian, Shanghai Jiatong University (SJTU), Shanghai, China
ASHRAE Research Project - 1837-TRP “The Effects of Ventilation in Sleeping Environments”
Pawel Wargocki, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark, Chairs
Discussion
All Participants
Workshop Summary
Pawel Wargocki, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby, Denmark, Chairs