Indoor air quality study in four Malaysian hospitals for centralized and non-centralized ACMV systems

This study aimed to investigate indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort in the four Malaysian hospitals with the aid of subjective assessment and objective measurements. The hospitals were selected randomly from the pool of government registry by considering the type of air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) systems installed in them. Thermal comfort parameters such as indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity, as well as IAQ indicators, for example, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde (HCHO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), were measured in the present study. Furthermore, the questionnaire survey was conducted by engaging 87 staff members from the investigated hospitals to determine the occupant ’s thermal sensation and health issues when exposed to particular hospital environments. The results reveal that the indoor air conditions in most of the areas in the selected hospitals have exceeded the recommended threshold limits. However, most of the occupants in each selected hospital feel co mfortable with their localized thermal settings. The data obtained demonstrate that the selected hospitals’ internal environmental conditions and indoor air quality (IAQ) are appalling, resulting in sick building syndrome (SBS). The IAQ audits in hospitals reveal that more occupants under the cen tralized ACMV systems feel uncomfortable than in non-centralized ACMV systems. This indicates that occupants prefer higher ...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research