Assessing Indoor Air Quality and Sick Building Syndrome in Public University Buildings: A Cross-Sectional Study of Office Worker Health and Well-Being
Authors:   Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative, Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Awang Mohd Fairus , Md Zaini Roslena ,   Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Abdul Nasrul Amir ,   Department of Engineering Education, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Mat Tahir Mohd Rohaizat ,   Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Baharuddin Aida ,   Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Husin Siti Nurul Hunadia ,   Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Ahmad Nooraini ,   Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Nik Ibrahim Nik Lukman ,   Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Abd Hamid Haris Hafizal ,   Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Published: January 2024

Exposure to indoor air pollution among office workers can result in various health issues and increase the incidence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exposure to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) among office workers and the relationship with the prevalence of SBS at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi. A cross-sectional comparison research involving 144 office workers from various new and old buildings was carried out at UKM, Bangi. Information was gathered and symptoms associated with SBS were determined using a series of questionnaires. During office hours, IAQ parameters were collected using air quality sensor. The old building had substantially higher levels of NO<sub>2</sub> (24.26 ppb), CO (0.62 ppb), and PM<sub>10</sub> (4.99 µg/m3) than the new building. It was found that, with a p < 0.001, the concentration of O<sub>3</sub> in the new building (11.47 ppb) was significantly higher than in the old building (4.93 ppb). The study’s findings also showed that the difference in temperature between the old buildings (26°C) and new buildings (24°C) was statistically significant (p = 0.003). Referring to relative humidity (RH), the result of the old building is lower (56%) compared to the new building (62%). Although old buildings exhibited a higher prevalence of SBS (34.7%), it was found that there was no significant difference compared to new buildings (27.5%). According to the study’s findings, found that exposure to CO (χ<sup>2</sup> = 5.242, p = 0.022), PM<sub>10</sub> (χ<sup>2</sup> = 13.449, p < 0.001), and PM<sub>2.5</sub> (χ<sup>2</sup> = 19.755, p < 0.001) among office workers with the prevalence of SBS has significant association. In conclusion, this study suggests that exposure to high levels of CO, PM<sub>10</sub> and PM<sub>2.5</sub> can increase the prevalence of SBS. Good housekeeping and regular maintenance of ventilation can keep good IAQ and reduce health effects among occupants.