air quality

1. 3.2 Causes of poor indoor air quality.
The quality of indoor of workplaces is important for workers' comfort at work. At the same
time it also may effects their well-being. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been related to
symptoms like headaches, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and some specific air
contaminants like asthma. In addition, poor indoor air quality can be related to dirty and unsanitary
conditions that can pull down the quality of an office which lead to major issues. According the
website definition Indoor air quality is a term which refers to the air quality within and around
buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.
On the other hand, poor indoor air quality refers to condition as the quality of air within buildings
is worse than the quality of outdoor air. They are few reasons which are lead to this condition.
There are few reasons which lead to poor indoor air quality. The first is inadequate fresh air
supply which caused by poor ventilation system maintenance. Here when building ventilation is
not fair, the resulting low air-exchange rate is such that there is insufficient fresh air brought into
the building to dilute or flush out contaminants and they can become concentrated within the
building. The air filters and poor air ventilation system can be the most important reason of poor
air quality in a target area. The blockage of good air ventilation due to the repair in the air filters
can make the air quality drops down to a worrying level.
The operations, maintenance, and construction activities are performed can harm the
occupant of an office to be exposure to airborne contaminants. The usage of synthetic building
materials during the upgrading renovation work or other constructions activity nearby can be the
second reason which cause the poor air quality. The release of dust, fibreglass, asbestos, gases,
including formaldehyde from building materials can change the air quality. Furthermore, advances

2. in construction technology have caused a much greater reason of this issues. Whilst the
improvements lead to more comfortable buildings with lower running costs, they also provide
indoor environments in which contaminants are readily produced and may build up to much
higher concentrations than are found outside.
It is a true fact that, indoor air is an issue, which impacts on the health and productivity of the
majority of all working adults and the vast majority of working women. The third reason the
quality of air had been contaminated by the over usage of chemical properties during the processes
occur within the building. The usage of cleaning products, office machines products like laser
printer, photocopy machines, laminating machines and some other supporting machines that can
produce dangerous chemical leakage. For example significant emission sources, such as large copy
machines can be one of the reason that can damage the air quality. In addition the over usage of
pesticides, off gases from new materials also can lead to poor air quality in a work area. His can
increase the amount of Toxic vapours, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the working area
from workplace cleansers, solvents, pesticides, disinfectants and even glues that had been using in
the office.
Beside this, high humidity also can lead to consequences. Where too much moisture in the air
also creates an issue in indoor air quality. High humidity allows dust mites, mold, mildew,
viruses and bacteria to breed. These tiny contaminants are released into the air and then into
human lungs. High humidity can also promote household materials to release chemicals such as
formaldehyde into the air as a pungent vapor. The growth of Microbial contaminants such as fungi,
moulds, bacteria from damp areas as well as stagnant water and condensate pans can lead to poor
air quality.

3. How to improve the indoor air quality.
During the last two decades there has been increasing concern within the scientific
community over the effects of indoor air quality on health. A conducive working place means a
place that workers can be able to spend most of our time indoors with adequate fresh air that
surrounded by walls, furniture, paper, plastics, chemicals, food, dust and for sure with other people
to work the fullest. It is vital to ensure to inspect and maintain the indoor air quality. There are
three ways to improve the indoor air quality. First to inspect, prevent and control the contamination
of air quality. Secondly to maintain the quality of air quality and the third is to take steps to renew
the area that effected by the poor indoor air quality.
A large number of people are living or working in premises where ventilation is regulated and
involved air conditioning systems ( Molina et al., 1989 ) However the problem was not limited to
air conditioned buildings ( Finnegan et al., 1987 ) The surveys shows that poor indoor air quality
reduces their working efficiency. Therefore it’s needed to inspect, prevent and followed by
controlling the quality of air. A need record keeping of sanitary equipment, storage of hazard
material as well as the removal of C02 can be the first step to identify and ease the issues from the
beginning before it can cause impacts on workers. Taking accounts of complains by various parties
and then taken proper investigation and action to make sure the air quality can cut off the problem
grows rapidly. Regular reviews, follow up procedure that accompanied by remedial actions can
ensure the air quality problem suppressed. A proper walk through inspection may provide basic
inspection of the need of the workers, working environment and whatever information which may
influence the quality for the indoor air quality which can be potential contaminant source in future.
It is very obvious that initial findings will give be very helpful to keep track of the record of the
air quality of an office.

4. Expects strongly believe that a prevention is better than cure, so this first step will ensure
many from preventing unfavourable air quality which can leads to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
and Indoor Air Pollutants (IAP). Controlling and maintaining the indoor air quality is very
important to produce the workers peaceful working environment which can provide them to the
highest job satisfaction. Maintaining and improving good ventilation comes first for a stress-free
working place. A good layer of sun blockage which can cater perfect temperature is needed. A
way of removal of C02 as well as matured control of water leakage can ensure the good working
environment. The importance of eliminating the hazardous material from pesticide or chemical
liquids of the cleaning department must be counted very carefully.
It is very much important to control microbial growth in and out of the area of work to ensure
the safe working office. Microbial contamination may occur from the dehumidifiers, internal
building surfaces, cooling coils, filters or any other component will can enhance the growth of
microorganism. It is very much needed to remove the water and eliminate any accumulated waste
so that it will not produce odour or contaminates the indoor air of an office. A non-chemical water
treatment for cooling tower may be advisable to maintain the level of the air quality.
The need to use pesticide should be minimized for it also can be a reason of contaminating the
air quality. A good care of fitting, fixing and furnishing during and after a renovation must be
taken into account so that it will not affect the air quality. Good housekeeping is too important to
prevent problems that can arise from the poor air quality. Scheduled cleanings of the surface,
floors, washroom and pantry can be very helpful to reduce air contamination. It is proven that o
the working area occupants may also unknowingly bring potential contaminant sources into the
building on their clothing and their bodies along. This is including dust, consumer products such
as cleaners, air fresheners or even personal hygiene products. Therefor a good practice of

5. housekeeping practices are required to ensure the well maintenance of the fair air quality in a
working place.
One more cause that influence the quality of an office is the number of the workers in the
working area. The space of the office and the occupants in it should be balanced. This will ensure
to keep the room temperature and will make sure the workers gets enough fresh air. Another point
to take account is the managing of the usage of office tools like photocopy machines, laminators
and other supporting equipment. It is good to make sure the printer, cleansers, laminators, fragrant
sprays and even smoking bay places accordingly. The tendency to contaminate the air is not less
for it pollute the air slowly. A separated place is needed to minimize the negative impact from
those machines. There is another notable step to be taken to ensure the quality of the air in the
woking area. A restricted rules and practices of tobacco smoke as a confirmed cancer-causing
agent. With more restricted smoking regulations in public areas and workplaces, this exposure can
be decreased greatly which may contribute another sources of indoor air contaminants including
nicotine, as well as flavor and fragrance additives. Cigarette smoke contains fine particulate
property which consists of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and thousands of other chemicals.