Build green for the benefit of occupants’ health and comfort says IAQ Singapore: "Dos" and "Donts"

May 14, 2009 - PRLog -- Introduction

The building industry is increasingly focused on making its buildings greener, which includes using healthier, less polluting, mold free and more resource-efficient practices. Specifying gas-free materials and furnishings and keeping your space well ventilated can help protect the occupants in your building from building health related problems.
Good Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is an essential component of any building, especially a green building. According to United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), IEQ refers to the quality of the air and environment inside buildings, based on pollutant concentrations and conditions that can affect the health, comfort and performance of occupants – including mold, temperature, relative humidity, light, sound and other factors.  Creating a better indoor environment can help building owners, managers, occupants, architects and builders to minimize or eliminate the negative health effects, liability, bad publicity, and costly renovations and repairs often associated with IEQ problems.

Indoor air quality is perhaps the most familiar aspect of IEQ. Building materials and furniture out-gassing or off-gassing for example, can last from a few weeks to many years, and exposes building occupants to dangerous chemicals that can potentially lead to chronic health conditions. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals used in paints, adhesives, carpet, furniture and other common building materials. Without proper ventilation, these gases contribute up to 60% of the air in a closed environment. Formaldehyde is an example of VOC that is commonly used as binding elements in plywood, particleboard, and medium density fibreboard. These products are used in everything from basic walls to cabinetry, bookcases, furniture, and flooring. Increase indoor humidity and temperature level has been reported to aid increase emission of formaldehyde or VOCs in general.  Health effects of formaldehyde include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. It may also cause cancer.

Factory location of building materials and furniture can influence how it supports mold growth e.g. Building materials and furniture made in jungle area have high tendency of being a very good source for mold to grow.  The health effects from mold depends on the length and level of exposure (chronic vs. acute) and on individual sensitivity. Health effects of mold exposure include: Hay fever; Nasal and sinus congestion; respiratory problems (wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing); dry, hacking cough; cold and flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, fatigue); sore throats; eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity; frequent bloody noses; central nervous system problems e.g. constant headache, memory problems, and mood changes; aches and pains; chronic fatigue.

Deliberate exposure of the public to ozone from air cleaners that intentionally generate ozone gas (ozone generators) has been strongly discouraged by EPA. Ozone is an irritant gas that can cause coughs, chest discomfort, and irritation of the nose, throat, and trachea. There are several reported complaint cases from consumers of respiratory problems when using an ozone generator. Most people now spend about 90% of their time indoors, so the condition of the interior air can have a significant effect on their health.


Task for achieving green building

IAQ Consultants, Singapore aim to achieve sustainable, safer indoor working and living environments for building occupants.  Due to the above mentioned potential effects of building materials and furniture to indoor environmental quality, IAQ Singapore recommend testing of building materials and furniture to evaluate their potential health hazard to building occupants. Building owners, facilities, property, and building managers should subject all suppliers of building materials and furniture (to their building) to IAQ check and obtain IAQ certification before installation. The IAQ check will include: Test for furniture off-gassing, comprehensive IAQ audit of indoor environment, Mold species identification and counts.

For more information on indoor air quality and our services, please visit http://www.iaqsg.com

Need Professional assistance?

Please feel free to contact Mr Charn @ Tel: 6241 9443/ Hp: 9321 9321, Mr. Moshood Hp: 9322 5506 or email mof@iaqsg.com if you are interested in having your building indoor air quality.

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IAQ provides assessment and consultancy services in the fields of science and environmental through testing, inspection, remediation and application of technology with the aim of achieving a better indoor environmental quality for your environment.