A Study of Indoor Air Quality Issues for Non-Industrial Work Place

A Study of Indoor Air Quality Issues for Non-Industrial Work Place

Baba Md Deros, Siti Hamimah Ismail, Nor Kamaliana Khamis, Mohd Yusri Yusof and
Ahmad Rasdan Ismail

Abstract: In non-industrial sector, two major issues that led to fungal growth, outbreak of disease like SARS and H1N1 are lack of research and health regulations. This study has three main objectives: to identify major complaints; to verify these complaints; and to determine their effects towards employees’ productivity. It focused on related legal requirement, identify source of problem, occupational exposure and control measures required to mitigate Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues. Quantitative and qualitative IAQ studies were performed in Company A and Company B office areas equipped with centralized air conditioning system. The purpose is to investigate whether they complied with Malaysian Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) IAQ Code of Practice. A total of 125 subjects performing specific activities within the building took part in the study against a 5000m² of floor area. It was found that 77% of IAQ issues are due to inadequate ventilation supply in the building, high level of carbon dioxide, microorganism, Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) and humidity that exceeded ceiling limit set by DOSH and World Health Organization. In conclusion, major factors that contribute towards IAQ problems are uncontrolled renovation, lack of awareness among occupants, micro organism, ventilation rate, temperature and humidity.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide, Humidity, Indoor air quality, Micro organism, Total volatile organic compound.

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