Environment group focuses on IAQ
01 July 2004
The UAE-based Emirates Environmental Group’s (EEG) highlighted the dangers of the sick building syndrome (SBS) caused by poor indoor air quality (IAQ) at its annual general meeting last month.
The meeting pointed out that occupants of buildings with bad indoor air quality are under threat from a wide range of ailments including chronic sinus and respiratory infections, flu-like symptoms, irritability, chronic fatigue, recurring headaches, dizziness, difficulty speaking, bleeding in the lungs, as well as memory and hearing loss..
“Indoor air pollution is one environmental factor that you can do something about,” Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson, EEG said.
IAQ refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of air in the indoor environment within a building or an institution or commercial facility.
Factors that influence IAQ include inadequate supply of outside air; contamination arising from sources within the building (such as combustion products including carbon monoxide and environmental tobacco smoke; volatile organic compounds from building materials, fabric furnishings, carpet, adhesives, fresh paint, new panelling, and cleaning products; ozone from office equipment); contamination from outside the building (for example, ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter) through air intakes, infiltration, open doors, and windows; and microbial contamination of ventilation systems or building interiors.
“IAQ is the aspect by which we define a good environment; that is why associations have come up with standards to define and regulate the quality of air inside a building or a home,” said Bassam Elassaad, director, marketing, Trane Middle East, Africa and India an active EEG corporate member. “Dubai Municipality has recognised that in its building code and specifications. Ashrae has also dedicated a complete standard to IAQ. The standard is being periodically revised to ensure compatibility to developments and new findings.”
“Today’s buildings are not just a piece of real estate; they are like complex machines including mechanical equipment and sophisticated controls. When we talk about IAQ, we are talking about building efficiency; we are talking about buildings that make good business because nobody would want to stay in a building that is sick,” concluded Elassaad.
