Science behind maintaining internal temperature and relative humidity

I am guessing that some member of the LEED EQ TAG suggested those temperature and humidity parameters many years ago because they are nice round numbers and somewhat comply with ASHRAE 62.1. Since the flush out is relatively useless as a whole, those parameters are somewhat meaningless. Flush out (and "bake out") has been known in the IAQ professional community as being of little value for decades. In an article studying the issue titled "Effects of Ventilation Flushout on Indoor Air Quality in a Newly Constructed Office Building" dated June 1996 it was stated that "Based on the results of the study, it is concluded that this flushout procedure offers only minimal potential as a means to reduce airborne contaminants, particularly VOCs, that off-gas from construction materials and furnishings." The International Green Construction Code did not include flush out as an option when it was created because the cost and waste of energy and resources to accomplish it were deemed not worth the limited value of the process. Those professionals who are assisting building owners in accomplishing LEED certification should be letting their clients know that the indoor air quality portion of LEED, especially the flush out and air testing portion, have many flaws and accomplish little in assuring good IAQ for the building after occupancy. A White Paper by the American Industrial Hygiene Association titled “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Criteria for New Construction” dated March 2017 discusses an important aspect of the LEED IAQ testing. It concludes that “5.2 VOC sampling is not an effective screening tool for materials emissions” and that “5.3 VOC sampling is not predictive of occupant health effects”. It pointed out many other problems with this testing. Basic issues such as not placing building pollutant sources (i.e., sewer vents) near outdoor air intakes and not using mold food (cellulose) containing wallboard (paper covered drywall) in janitor’s closets, behind shower tiles, or under sinks are not addressed by LEED though they are much more important to IAQ than flush out and air testing. If you do a web search on “Twenty Reasons Your Green Building May Not Have Green Indoor Air Dale Walsh” you’ll find my article on this matter.