In recent years, indoor air quality has emerged as a global health concern due to the rising infiltration of outdoor air emissions into buildings. It is crucial for building owners or managers to comprehend how even slight declines in indoor air quality can affect the daily lives of occupants. Exposure to contaminants in the air, whether occasional or continuous, may lead to severe health issues and the potential spread of infectious diseases. Detecting pollutants is possible only through indoor air quality assessments.
Why Indoor Air Quality is so Important?
As per the Department of Occupational Safety and Health’s (DOSH) Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010, the building owner or management shall maintain the working environment conforming to the acceptable range as provided. Building or facility managers must comply with the laws and regulations, and therefore be responsible for ensuring the building environment is safe for its occupants.
Exposure to Poor Indoor Air Quality Causes:
Chronic Headaches
Fatigue
Flu Symptoms
Respiratory Symptoms
Worsening Allergies
Red Eyes
It is better to prevent these by maintaining the facilities’ indoor air quality rather than receiving health complaints from the occupants.
Common side effects of indoor air pollution, such as unpleasant odors, may be noticeable, but many harmful effects go undetected as germs and pathogens often don't show immediate symptoms. Our Indoor Air Quality Testing and Analysis aim to assess and interpret the condition of indoor air quality, identifying potential health risks. Recommendations for the next course of action are based on the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
Air Quality Analysis
| IAQ Parameters | Range |
|---|---|
| Carbon Monoxide | 10ppm |
| Carbon Dioxide | 1000ppm |
| Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) | 3ppm |
| Particulate Matters (PM-10) | 0.150g/m3 |
| Formaldehyde | 0.1ppm |
| Ozone | 0.05ppm |
| Relative Humidity | 40-70% |
| Air Temperature | 23-260 C |
| Ventilation Rate (VR)/Air Movement | 0.15-0.50m/s |
| Total Bacterial Count | 500cfu/m3 |
| Total Fungal Count | 1000cfu/m3 |
You may notice some of the more common side effects of indoor air pollution, like an unpleasant odor, but many others go undetected because germs and pathogens do not show symptoms immediately which later causes greater harms to health. This is when our Indoor Air Quality Testing and Analysis will evaluate and interpret the condition of your Indoor Air Quality and finally recommend the next course of action. Our analysis/assessment and our recommendations of the indoor air and next course of action is based on Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is indoor air quality important?
Research conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals that indoor pollutant levels may be 2-5 times, and at times over 100 times higher than outdoor levels. This heightened concern is particularly significant given that individuals spend almost 80% of their time indoors. The findings underscore the importance of addressing and mitigating indoor air quality issues to ensure a healthier living and working environment.
Who is responsible for indoor air quality?
Responsibility for indoor air quality varies. Facility managers recognize their role, but occupants may not. We believe everyone shares responsibility for a building's air quality.
Does mold really pose a health risk?
Mold is omnipresent in the air and on indoor surfaces, making complete avoidance impractical and possibly undesirable. However, buildings with visual dampness history or significant visible mold or mold odor are consistently linked to elevated symptoms of asthma and other respiratory issues. Substantial evidence also indicates that dampness and visible mold correlate with increased cases of acute bronchitis and respiratory infections.
