Influence of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) on the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) at two selected hospitals

Attention on buildings’ Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) tend to show an increased due to time spending indoors is relatively higher than workers being outdoors. One major problem often associated with IAQ is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). This study has its objectives of identifying current status of IAQ and investigating its relationship with SBS inside of the building served by the mechanical ventilation and air- conditioning (MVAC) system in two selected hospitals in Selangor and Pahang. The findings of study are useful as they provide data to ensure that the health, comfort and well-being of workers are not to be affected or continuously affected by problems associated to IAQ. Self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain current SBS symptoms experienced by workers. Then, technical assessments comprised of walkthrough survey and measurements of IAQ parameters were carried out to understand the current status of IAQ in building. The important IAQ parameters considered in this study were air temperature, relative humidity, air changes per hour (ACH), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), formaldehyde (HCHO) and respirable particulate (RP). Measurements were performed using calibrated IAQ equipment. A questionnaire was distributed to workers in selected departments and a 76% response rate was achieved, giving a sample of 76 workers. The prevalence of SBS was significantly higher at hospital in Selangor (38.9%) compared to Pahang (7.5%) and of all the reported symptoms, irritated, stuffy or runny nose was the most reported symptoms in this study (11.1%). The average results for IAQ parameters at both hospitals were well below the acceptable limits or within recommended acceptable range of Malaysian Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 (MICOP IAQ 2010). Meanwhile, the average results for ACH have failed to achieve the minimum limit of 10 as stated in the Factories and Machineries (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations 1970 (FMA(SHW) 1970). Nevertheless, there were no direct causal link and no significant association between IAQ parameters and SBS symptoms. Further study with wider scope including personal and psychosocial factors should be conducted especially within healthcare facilities in order to obtain more accurate results.