Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Received 30 November 2010, Accepted 28 December 2010
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the association between sick building syndrome (SBS) and indoor air pollutants in two libraries. 101 workers in both libraries responded to the questionnaire, which was based on Malaysian Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 (MCPIAQ) for the measurement of SBS occurrences. Measurements of indoor air quality were also performed according to the MCPIAQ methods. Higher prevalence of SBS recorded in Perpustakaan Sultanah Zanariah (PSZ), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, compared to Perpustakaan Sultan Ismail (PSI) (X2 = 38.81, p = 0.000), Johor Bahru City. Significantly higher levels of indoor air pollutants were detected in PSZ compare to PSI for CO, CO2, temperature, bacteria, fungi and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), while PSI indicated higher level of relative humidity (RH). The levels of CO2, temperature, humidity, TVOC and bacteria counts were the possible major factors contributing to SBS complaints among the workers of both libraries.
Keywords: Indoor air quality (IAQ); Sick Building Syndrome (SBS); Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
* corresponding author : Zulkifly Sulaiman