Ahmad, Nurul Hafizah (2018) Development of porous ceramics with humidity controlling and antimicrobial characteristics from modified diatomaceous earth (DE): potential to improve indoor air quality. [Project Paper] (Submitted)
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Abstract
Background: Indoor humidity is one of the indoor comfort issues in indoor environment. Imbalance of indoor humidity would arise when there is an inefficient use of air conditioning system. Most of the buildings in Malaysia would be facing the similarities problem because air-conditioning ,viii not run for 24hours, instead it is usually switch on during working hours only. However, the use of MVAC are energy saving and costly. Overgrowth of fungus and bacteria is related with high relative indoor humidity. Such porous ceramic if able to be developed is hypothesize to help regulate humidity in indoor environment, in which it has an ability to balance indoor humidity. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the extent sick building syndrome (SBS) problems among office Workers in a public university and to identify the problems related to humidity and perception on the use of humidity control materials in offices. Additionally, this study further aims to develop porous ceramics with humidity controlling and antimicrobial characteristics from modified Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Method: The first part of this study was designed as a cross-sectional study among office workers to selected offices in Malaysia. The experimental part of this study consists of the development of porous ceramics from DE, waste glass and oyster shell in several formula (80%, 70%, 60% and 50% DE). The mixture were prepared in powder form and were then compressed in the form of 15cm x 15cm x 5mm of green molds, then were sintered at 1100° C for 20 minutes. The resultant porous ceramics were subjected to humidity adsorption-desorption analysis, anti-bacterial assay and impact strength test using loads. The best formula ratio for the porous ceramics was then identified from these tests. Result: The prevalence of SBS is 73.4%. The humidity adsorption desorption ability of porous ceramics ,vas increased as the DE content increased. The humidity adsorption desorption performance for modified DE within a range of 3-5%. The inhibition zones against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa depends on the percentage of DE and it increases as the content increases. On the other hand, the inhibition zones for S. aureus depends on the percentage of oyster shell and it increases as the content increases. The average of clear zone against bacterial was 15mm. The impact test found that the formula of 50%DE has the greatest impact test compared with three other ceramics. Conclusion: This study revealed that there is a need for the development of porous ceramics to help reduce humidity problems and the corresponding sick building syndrome in building offices. This study found that a suitable ratio for porous ceramics with humidity controlling and anti-bacteria characteristics could be developed by using 50% modified DE. The modified DE added with local and low-cost materials have the potential to solve the problem of humidity imbalance and microbial growth in office settings can be solved in order to reduce sick building syndrome and ensure productivity of workers is maintained. Keywords: anti-bacteria, oyster shells, calcium oxide, respiratory health symptoms, indoor air quality
| Item Type: | Project Paper |
|---|---|
| Faculty: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Science |
| Depositing User: | Ms Norafizah Radzuan |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Jul 2024 07:55 |
| Last Modified: | 24 Jul 2024 07:55 |
| URI: | http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1955 |
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