Indoor Air Quality and Prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome Among Office Workers in Two Different Offices in Selangor

Abstract

This study was done to investigate the relationship between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in two different offices (old and new) in Selangor. Hundred and seventy workers were selected consist of 85 office workers for each building. Questionnaire based on Indoor Air Quality and Work Symptoms Survey, NIOSH, Indoor Environmental Quality Survey, 1991 was used to record prevalence of SBS. Measurement of indoor air quality was performed using instruments recommended by IAQ Code of Practice, Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Malaysia. IAQ supplied air was significantly higher in new building with the median 22.49 cfm/person while 15.79 cfm/person in old building (z = -6.23, p<0.001). The prevalence of SBS in old building was significantly higher compared to the new building (χ 2 = 30.6, p<0.001). Levels of indoor air pollutants in old building were significantly higher compared to new building for: CO 2 (z = -4.62, p<0.001); TVOC (z = -2.71, p<0.05); PM 10 (z = -2.11, p<0.05); PM 2.5 (z = -2.35, p<0.05), meanwhile for UFP (z = 4.72, p<0.001) and THI value (z = -4.57, p<0.001), new building was significantly higher compared to old building. There was significant association between the prevalence of SBS and the indoor air pollutants in the old building namely CO 2 (OR = 3.56, 95% CI = 1.327-9.548); CO (OR = 4.95, 95% CI = 1.740-14.127); TVOC (OR = 4.71, 95% CI = 1.571-14.151); PM 10 (OR = 6.23, 95% CI = 2.278-17.065) and PM 2.5 (OR = 4.18, 95% CI = 1.564-11.199), while in the new building, the prevalence of SBS showed significant association with an indoor air pollutant namely UFP (OR = 6.53, 95% CI = 1.757-24.327). After controlling the cofounders; age, medical condition, smoking and having pet at home, the results showed that CO 2 , CO, TVOC, PM 10 , PM 2.5 influenced SBS in old building while UFP influenced SBS in the new building. This study suggested that when there was an increase in the ventilation rates per person in office building, it would significantly reduced prevalence of SBS, even though both buildings meet the existing ASHRAE ventilation standards for office building. Reduction in prevalence of SBS would depend on the increase in ventilation rates, ventilation effectiveness and reduction in indoor air pollutants that can cause SBS.

Sick building syndrome (SBS) among office workers in a Malaysian university — Associations with atopy, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and the office environment

“…However, only a few office studies on SBS among office workers have been published from Malaysia. Zamani et al (2013) reported that one old office building had higher prevalence of SBS than a new office building. Prevalence of SBS was associated with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), total VOC (TVOC), particulate matter 10 (PM10), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles (UFP) levels in the offices (Zamani et al, 2013).…”

“…Zamani et al (2013) reported that one old office building had higher prevalence of SBS than a new office building. Prevalence of SBS was associated with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), total VOC (TVOC), particulate matter 10 (PM10), particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles (UFP) levels in the offices (Zamani et al, 2013). Fadilah and Juliana (2012) found a higher prevalence of nasal symptoms in workers from new office buildings (Fadilah and Juliana, 2012).…”

Indoor Environmental Comfort in Malaysian Urban Housing

“…However, studies have shown that indoor environmental performances, including thermal and visual, have major impact on occupants' well-being (Salnikov and Karatayev, 2011;Bluyssen, 2010;Choi et al, 2012;Todorovic and Kim, 2012;Zamani et al, 2013). According to the Rio Declaration, the Principle 1 stated, "Human beings are at the center of concerns for sustainable development.…”

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha as Biomarkers of Exposure to Indoor Pollutants Among Primary School Children in Klang Valley

“…Due to this concern, Klang Valley is continuously exposed to air pollution, which is approaching critical levels in a number of urban areas including Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya (Musa et al, 2013). Thus, indoor environment in Malaysia is one of the particular interests to study where building-related illnesses still have not gained the same importance as those related to outdoor air quality (Shaharom, 2013). Furthermore, Malaysia is a tropical country, which has a lower ventilation rates, therefore enhancing the usage of open ventilation system in such buildings.…”