Abstract
It is widely recognized that the well-being, health, and productivity of office workers can be influenced by indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions in the workplace. This study aimed to investigate associations between multi-domain IEQ in offices and workers' well-being, health, productivity, and perceived IEQ in 30 open office spaces (6 buildings) located in the urban area of Porto, Portugal. This cross-sectional study included 277 office workers and used a combination of methods to assess their perceptions and physiological responses. Data were collected through questionnaires (covering self-reported well-being, health, productivity, and IEQ satisfaction), pupillometry (autonomic nervous system activity), and concurrent monitoring of IEQ. Correlation, comparative, and regression methods were used to explore associations and differences between IEQ indicators and participants' outcomes. The findings showed that offices typically met acceptable IEQ standards. However, a higher prevalence of health problems and symptoms was observed in offices with higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM10), and ultrafine particles (UFP). Interestingly, offices with higher CO2, PM2.5, and volatile organic compounds concentrations were linked to a reduced likelihood of participants reporting asthma, dry cough, and allergies. Additionally, thermal discomfort due to high temperatures, increased PM2.5, UFP, CO2, and O3, and low illuminance appear to reduce eye response in office workers. Higher CO2 and noise levels, and temperatures outside the comfortable range, were linked to lower productivity. The multi-domain analysis showed that perception of multiple IEQ factors significantly explained both self-reported productivity and overall satisfaction with work environment. Overall, ensuring proper IEQ and enhancing workers' satisfaction are essential for creating healthy and productive workplaces. © 2025