INDUSTRY CODE OF PRACTICE ON
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
2010
DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES, MALAYSIA
JKKP DP(S) 127/379/4-39
Jabatan Keselamatan Dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (JKKP)
a
Industry Code Of Practice On Indoor Air Quality 2010
b
Jabatan Keselamatan Dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan (JKKP)
Industry Code Of Practice On Indoor Air Quality 2010
PREFACE
This Industry Code of Practice is known as the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 approved by the Minister on 30 August 2010 and will replace the Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality launched by the Minister on July 2005.
Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is required for a healthy indoor work environment. Poor indoor air quality can cause a variety of short-term and long-term health problems. Health problems commonly associated with poor IAQ include allergic reactions, respiratory problems, eye irritation, sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
IAQ problems occur in buildings that are served by a mechanical ventilating and air conditioning (MVAC) system including air-cooled split unit. IAQ problems can be due to indoor air pollutants or to inadequate ventilation. There are many sources of indoor air pollutants and among the common ones are environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) emitted due to burning of tobacco products; various chemical substances such as formaldehyde emitted from furnishings; volatile organic compounds emitted from the use and application of solvents; and ozone emitted from photocopiers and laser printers. It should be noted here that ETS has been recognized as a human carcinogen by the International Agency from Research on cancer (IARC) in
2002 and exposure to it will increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
This Industry Code of Practice has been drawn up to ensure employees and occupants are protected from poor indoor air quality that could adversely
References: Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia (2005), Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Indoor Air Quality Management Group (2003), Guidance Notes for the Management of Indoor Air Quality in Offices and Public Work Safe British Columbia (2005), Indoor Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners, Managers and Occupants. ASHRAE (1999) Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007. Institute of Environmental Epidemiology, Ministry of the Environment Singapore (1996), Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises.