Exploring the Knowledge Level of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Students' on Indoor Air Pollutants

Abstract

This study aimed to detect the knowledge levels of the final year students, attending at the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design of various universities in Turkey, on the harmful effects of the pollutants released by the interior equipment elements on human health. A detailed questionnaire developed for this purpose was administered to 95 final year students attending at the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design of Atilim University, Hacettepe University and Selcuk University. In conclusion, the study found that the participants had insufficient knowledge on the pollutants released by the interior equipment elements and that knowledge level of the participant students differed depending on the attended university. This difference may have resulted from the difference of the share of indoor air pollutants subject in the programs of the three selected universities. These results clearly point the need to allocate more space to the subject of indoor air pollutants - which have direct effects on human health-in the compulsory lesson contents of the course programs. By this way, it will be possible to educate interior architects and environmental designers who develop more sensitive and conscious approach towards human health.