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Introduction Indoor air quality (IAQ) issues in Malaysia Background to ICOP ICOP on IAQ Benefits of adopting ICOP
INTRODUCTION
Increased concern regarding indoor air quality
More time spent indoors-up to 90%? New building more insulated Levels of certain pollutants significantly higher than outdoor
VOCs, pesticides, by products of combustion
Widespread use of synthetic materials and chemicals Toxicological data on most of them are limited
Good IAQ is not solely about comfort but also about prevention of building related diseases and diseases from environmental tobacco smoke
CHRONIC DISEASES
Infections
Legionnaires disease and Pontiac fever Tuberculosis (TB), Common cold
CHRONIC DISEASES
Lung cancer
Radon* Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
Mesothelioma
Asbestos
*Radon is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas. It is considered to be a health hazard because it is radioactive. Radon is produced by radioactive decay of uranium that is present in rocks, soils, brick and concrete. It is reportedly the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking.
Inadequate ventilation
Indoor contaminant sources Outdoor contamination Microorganisms Contamination from fabrics/ building materials Unknown sources
52%
16% 10% 5% 4% 13%
Cold offices
Low temperatures
Chemical emissions
Off-gassing from building materials
Smoking indoors
Offices Restaurants Designated areas
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BACKGROUND
Concerns for exposure to secondhand smoke led to a COP on indoor air quality in 2005 Compliance with the 2005 COP on Indoor Air Quality is voluntary However, Industry code of practice (ICOP) is a legal instrument provided for under Occupational Safety & Health Act 1994 OSHA-general duty of an employer and also building owner to ensure the safety and without risk to health of employees and anyone at a place of work
Section 17:
Employer shall ensure that he and other persons, not his employees, are not exposed to risks to their safety and health
Section 18
Occupier (a person who has the management of control of the place of work) of non-domestic premises shall take such measures that are practicable to ensure premises are safe and without risk to health to persons using the premises and any plant or substance in the premises or provided for use there
BACKGROUND
The COP need to be reviewed
5 years elapsed Limitations of COP
APPLICATION OF ICOP
Any area/part of building where chemicals hazardous to health are used for analytical, research or preservation purposes Removal and disposal of asbestos containing materials Domestic buildings
Applies to all buildings or any part of building or totally enclosed areas served by MVAC including air-cooled split unit where persons work EXCEPT
Any area or any part of the building which is constructed, used or intended to be used for domestic or industrial purposes
Complaints Procedure
The Building Owner or Building Management shall
Establish a procedure to deal with complaint from employer and occupants related to signs and symptoms perceived to be due to IAQ
Ensure that an investigation is conducted to ascertain the cause, upon receipt of complaint.
Description of the process or processes for response to a complaint Regular reviews of complaints by the occupant Identification of individuals responsible for administering the complaint process Procedures for communicating any remedial action to the complainant; and Follow-up procedures to ensure that the remedial action recommended
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Receive indoor air quality complaints Communicate to building owner or building management
Notify complainant
YES
Present Assessment Report to occupier and/or building owner Follow-up to make sure the problem does not recur
Record keeping
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Walkthrough Inspection
Provides basic information on factors affecting IAQ Walkthrough activitiesCollect information about history of building and ventilation system; Collect previous record of IAQ complaints; Notify building occupants of the upcoming investigation; Identify key individuals for access to relevant information as well as relevant locations within the building; and Identify potential contaminants and their sources.
* Any activity that could pose health hazard to the occupants, e.g. painting and cleaning carpets
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IAQ assessor shall present and submit the assessment report to the building owner or building management within 1 month upon completion of the assessment.
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Parameter
(a) Air temperature (b) Relative humidity (c) Air movement
Acceptable range
23 26 oC 40-70% 0.15 0.50 m/s
Reference MS 1525 : 2001 Code of practice on energy efficiency and renewable energy for non-residential buildings
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*Limits are eight-hour time-weighted average airborne concentrations mg/m3 is milligrams per cubic meter of air at 25 Celsius and one atmosphere pressure ppm is parts of vapour or gas per million parts of contaminated air by volume cfu/m3 is colony forming units per cubic meter **C is the ceiling limit that shall not be exceeded at any time. 25
CARBON MONOXIDE
Combustion product
Automobile exhaust, smoking, unvented combustion appliances
Asphyxiant The standard is set to provide a margin of safety for people with cardiovascular disease
FORMALDEHYDE
It is a VOC,
used in bonding/laminating agents, adhesives, paper & textile products, and in foam insulation Also used in cosmetics & toiletries as preservative
New buildings, re-carpeting, ETS Levels exceeding 1-3ppm cause mucous membrane irritation Suspected carcinogen Level set for comfortable environment
OZONE
Colourless gas Produced in ambient air during photochemical oxidation of combustion products such as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon Ozone concentration set at 0.05ppm to prevent symptoms such as dryness of upper respiratory tract and throat and nose irritation
RESPIRABLE PARTICULATES
Less than 10 micron in diameter Sources are ETS, aerosols from air fresheners or cleaning material Other sources
dirt from carpets or dirt carried in from outdoor Outdoor sources such as from haze
VOCs
Human bioeffluents, personal care products, cleaning materials, paints, lacquer, varnishes, pesticides, pressed wood products, and insulation Accumulation of VOCs play a major role in SBS Some VOC such as benzene is carcinogenic Level to prevent discomfort
CARBON DIOXIDE
Product of combustion
Human respiration & ETS
It is an asphyxiant At concentrations (>30,000ppm) may cause headache, loss of judgment, dizziness, drowsiness, and rapid breathing Level set to indicate adequacy of ventilation rates or indicative of inadequate mixing.
MOULDS
Fungi that grow on dead organic matter and reproduce through tiny spores, invisible to naked eye, and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mould may begin growing indoors when mould spores land on surfaces that are wet. Mould growth can lead to a variety of health issues, such as causing allergic reactions, irritations, and in some cases, toxic actions. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Standard set for humidity and temperature is for comfort and to prevent mould growth
BACTERIA
Microscopic organisms found in indoor environments typically come from human sources (skin and respiration) or from the outdoors. Bacteria found in the air in buildings are saprobes (grow on dead organic matter) and the primary concern is about bacteria colonies that may grow in damp areas.
Legionella Pneumophila
Microbial contamination
BO/BM to regularly inspect:
ductwork, dehumidifiers, cooling coils, filters, internal building surfaces, and any other MVAC system components.
Inspect every 6 month where it is likely that standing water will unintentionally accumulate and which could reasonably cause microbial growth; and take action to
promptly remove the water; and make necessary repairs to prevent further accumulation.
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DCV
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Continue..
MVAC system to be checked and adjusted to ensure correct air flow, temperature and humidity. After1st year of operation and at least every 2 years After any renovations or changes in floor layout that might affect air distribution. Use of non-chemical water treatment for cooling towerrecommended If biocides are used, the dosing shall carried out as per manufacturer recommendation. Records shall be kept of all maintenance.
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Pest Control
Minimise use of pesticides in non-commercial buildings. Pesticide spraying shall be carried out:
by licensed pest control operator and outside normal working hours, and preferably during the weekends.
Occupants in areas to be sprayed shall be notified in advance. Pesticides applied in targeted locations, with minimum treatment of exposed surfaces. If hydrogen cyanide is used, BO/BM to comply with Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation) Act 1953 (Rev.1981). BM or other person who organises pest control activities should have info on chemicals (SDS).
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In all indoor areas which are not covered by the Tobacco Product Regulations 2004, smoking should also be prohibited as far as practicable in order to achieve good indoor air quality standard.
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Information
Instruction
Employer to give instructions but not limited toprohibition of smoking except at designated area(s); not to tamper with MVAC system; not to store material/chemical or equipment inside AHU room or ducting; ensure fresh air intake is not blocked at any time or contaminated with undesirable and hazardous elements; and to inform the employer of any discomfort related to indoor air quality.
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Training
Employees to be trained oncontents of ICOP; identification of sign and symptoms associated with the illnesses commonly associated with poor IAQ; and identification of poor ventilation conditions and signs of deterioration in the air-conditioned or mechanical ventilation system. Training programme to be reviewed and conducted at least once in two years. Training programme to be documented and kept for inspection.
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Recordkeeping
All records shall be kept for not less than 5 years. Assessment report shall be kept for not less than 30 years. Records kept to include complaint records; investigation reports; assessment reports including the results of indoor air contaminant measurement; and training records.
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APPENDICES
Appendix 1 GENERAL INFORMATION ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY Appendix 2 INDOOR AIR QUALITY COMPLAINT FORM Appendix 3 IAQ COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATION PROCESS Appendix 3-A CHECKLIST FOR WALKTHROUGH INSPECTION Appendix 3-B QUESTIONNAIRE FOR BUILDING OCCUPANTS Appendix 4 MEASUREMENT & ANALYSIS OF IAQ PARAMETERS
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