Association between indoor air quality (IAQ) and sick building syndrome among workers in food outlets in Selangor, Malaysia

Isman, Nur Izzah Ismahani (2023) Association between indoor air quality (IAQ) and sick building syndrome among workers in food outlets in Selangor, Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Introduction: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is defined as the air quality inside and around buildings and structures, particularly as it relates to occupant health and comfort. The development of additional indoor air contaminants in well-sealed buildings, and the discovery of so-called Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) have all contributed to growing public concern. Food outlet workers are one of workers that spend most of their work time indoor in an air-conditioned building; hence, the indoor air pollutant could impact their well-being. Exposure to airborne particulate matters (PM) generated during cooking significantly enhanced the average number of ultrafine particles (UFPs) and it may adversely affect the health of the workers. Objectives: This cross-sectional comparative study aims to determine the association between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) among workers of food outlets in Selangor, Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 107 food outlet workers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 3 outlets represent food outlets in malls, 4 outlets represent new food outlets, and another 3 outlets represent old food outlets. Food outlets in malls use centralized air conditioning while new and old food outlets use non-centralized air conditioning (single-split type). A set of standardized and validated version questionnaire of Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality (ICOP IAQ 2010) was distributed to obtain respondents’ socio-demographic information, symptoms present at the workplace, and psychosocial information. Results: There were significant differences between the temperature, air velocity, UFP concentration, and CO2 concentration (p = 0.004, p = 0.037, p = 0.005, p = 0.006) in malls, new and old food outlets at p<0.05. Old food outlets workers (66.7%) have higher prevalence of SBS compared to new food outlets workers (60.5%) and mall food outlet workers (64.7%). After adjusting for confounders, the prevalence of SBS was found to be significantly associated with the current food outlets' environmental characteristics for the past three months which were the renovation in the workplace, repair or services process and varying temperature in the workplace with (OR= 6.17, 95% CI = 1.34-28.34), (OR= 2.43, 95% CI = 1.03-5.76) and (OR= 7.21, 95% CI = 2.52-20.66) respectively. Conclusion: Exposure of workers to the renovation process and varying temperature influenced the development of sick building syndrome. The natural ventilation should be improved to provide workers with adequate ventilation. It is important to open windows or doors to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the food outlet, thus diluting any pollutants in the air. Keyword: indoor air quality, sick building syndrome, food outlets, food outlet workers, indoor air pollutants

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	05 Apr 2024 03:29
Last Modified:	05 Apr 2024 03:29
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1683

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