ISO 16000-44:2023

Overview

ISO 16000-44:2023 - "Indoor air - Part 44" defines a laboratory test method to measure perceived indoor air quality (PAQ) using human subjects for assessing the performance of gas phase air cleaners (air purifiers that remove gaseous pollutants). The standard uses sensory evaluations (odour intensity and acceptability) to quantify how well an air cleaner reduces pollutants that are detectable by people. It complements chemical measurements and links sensory-based assessment with practical removal performance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & principle
  • Sensory-based test method for air cleaners that primarily remove gas-phase pollutants. Not intended for particle-only filters.
  • Two-step approach: assess PAQ in a test chamber without the air cleaner, then with the air cleaner in operation.
  • PAQ determined by human panels using either odour intensity or acceptability ratings.
• Test environment
  • Use a controlled test chamber with general room volume, environmental control for temperature/humidity, and known ventilation (supply air quality, background concentrations).
  • Chamber must be low-polluting and have minimal adsorption that would compete with the air cleaner.
• Sensory panel & methods
  • Panels can be trained or untrained; panel size and selection criteria are specified.
  • Air sampling to the panel is normally via a sniffing device (funnel); Annex C provides conditions for whole-body exposure.
  • Ethical requirement: confirm no toxic/carcinogenic exposures for panel members at test doses.
• Performance metrics
  • Perceived air quality is used to derive removal efficiency and can be related to Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) where applicable.
  • Test report requirements, QA/QC procedures (Annex A), and example test conditions (Annex B) are provided.

Applications and who uses it

• Product manufacturers: validate and optimize gas-phase air cleaner performance for market claims.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies: run standardized sensory tests for comparative performance and compliance.
• Indoor air quality researchers: study human perception of pollutant removal and compare sensory and chemical metrics.
• Building engineers & facility managers: inform procurement and selection of air purifiers based on human-perceived improvements.
• Regulators & standards committees: incorporate PAQ-based performance into guidance and regulations.

Related standards

• ISO 16000-28 - Determination of odour emissions (sensory tests)
• ISO 16000-9, -11, -3, -6 and ISO 16017-1 - Associated VOC and chamber test methods and sampling/analysis procedures

Keywords: ISO 16000-44, indoor air, perceived air quality, PAQ, gas phase air cleaners, air purifiers, sensory panel, test chamber, odour intensity, air cleaner performance.