scholarly journals Assessment of Occupational Safety and Hygiene Perception among Afro-Caribbean Hair Salon Operators in Manchester, United Kingdom

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruna Musa Moda ◽  
Debrah King
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Hair Salon

Because of exposure to a number of potential health hazards within the work environment, hairstylists experience occupational diseases that include occupational asthma, skin conditions and musculoskeletal diseases. The paucity of studies assessing occupational safety and hygiene management among Afro-Caribbean hair salon operators in the UK promoted the study. QualtricsTM was used to assess the participants’ perception of exposure to hair products and their personal safety and hygiene knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and risk perceptions at work. In five salons, indoor air quality was monitored over one working week for selected environmental pollutants: temperature, humidity, CO, CO2 and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) using a GrayWolf Direct Sense Indoor Air Quality-IAQ (IQ-610). The use of unflued gas heating to raise the indoor temperature was common among the salons’ operators which explains the high carbon monoxide readings recorded. Itchy eyes and nose (44.4%) shoulder, neck and back pain (39.2%) were frequently reported. Age-stratified analysis of reported occupational ailments showed participants within an age bracket of 31–35 reported allergies (24%) and itchy eyes and nose (19.1%) as the most common of occupational ailments. Respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal symptoms ranked as major occupational ill-health experiences among the study population. The study outcome demonstrated that the type of activity and the hair products used play an important role in the level of pollutants in the working environment. The substitution of the more harmful hair products with safer alternatives is needed, as is the encouragement of health surveillance.

scholarly journals Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Accuracy of Natural Ventilation for Temperature, Air Flow Rate and Relative Humidity (RH) in School Building Classrooms

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.9) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Norsafiah Norazman ◽  
Adi Irfan Che Ani ◽  
Nor Haslina Ja’afar ◽  
Muhamad Azry Khoiry
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
The Hours ◽  
Hot Weather

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is an essential matter in achieving students’ satisfaction for the learning process. Building’s orientation is a factor that may encourage sufficient natural ventilation for the classroom occupants. Inadequate ventilation is an issue for most existing classrooms. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the accuracy of natural ventilation in classrooms. Therefore, experimental on 20 classrooms has been conducted by using Multipurpose Meter at secondary school buildings in Malaysia. The findings indicated that the accuracy of natural ventilation testing was below the permissible limits throughout the hours monitored, thus this may cause potential health hazards to the students. Temperature and air flow rates were lower than 23 °C and 0.15 m/s respectively, it fulfilled the basic requirements as a standard learning environment. However, measurements taken showed the overall relative humidity (RH) in the classrooms can be categorized as acceptable with 40% to 70% range. On the basis of these findings, it is evident that naturally ventilated classrooms are important especially due to energy efficiency, whereas mechanical ventilation should only be installed as an alternative under extremely hot weather conditions.   

scholarly journals Sewage Sludge Incorporating Into Fired Clay Brick: Indoor Air Quality Testing

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1113-1118
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Clay Soil ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Clay Brick ◽  
Huge Amount

Sewage industry have generated huge amount of sewage sludge. It is found that the amount of sewage sludge generated by Malaysia sewerage companies has reached 5.3 million m3 per year. Sewage sludge (SS) are usually disposed into a landfill or incineration but due to the huge amount of sludge produced and limited availability of lad, it has become an environmental hazard. Thus, this research was conducted to utilize sludge that resulted from the wastewater treatment plant into fired clay brick as well as contributed to other alternative disposal method for the sludge. This research focuses on the investigation of indoor air quality of fired clay brick incorporating with SS. The SS was collected from IWK located at Senggarang and Perwira whilst clay soil was collected at Yong Peng, Johor. The characteristics of SS and clay soil were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). From the results, it showed that SS was high with silicon oxide (SiO2 ) and zinc (Zn) that makes it compatible to replace clay soil as raw materials. Next, two types of sewage sludge brick (SSB) which are Senggarang brick (SB) and Perwira brick (PB) were incorporated with 0%, 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% of SS respectively. Then, the compressive strength test was conducted in accordance with the British Standard BS 3921: 1985. Based on the result, it shows that 5% of SS replacements as clay soil into fired clay brick have achieved the optimum strength. As for the indoor air quality (IAQ) test were done in walk-in stability chamber (WiSC) and the gas emission was compared with the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality (ICOP-IAQ) through Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (DOSH, 2010). From the result, IAQ brick for SB and PB showed that up to 5% in fired clay brick were complied with the standard which below the acceptable limit that has provided for wall, column and cube formed. Thus, as a conclusion this method provided an alternative disposal method for the SS whilst producing a new low-cost building material with no negative effect to human as well as benefit to the environment.

Case study of odor and indoor air quality assessment in the dewatering building at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manju Sharma ◽  
Susan O'Connell ◽  
Brett Garelli ◽  
Chakkrid Sattayatewa ◽  
Demetrios Moschandreas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Exhaust System ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Water Reclamation ◽  
Emission Rates

Indoor air quality (IAQ) and odors were determined using sampling/monitoring, measurement, and modeling methods in a large dewatering building at a very large water reclamation plant. The ultimate goal was to determine control strategies to reduce the sensory impacts on the workforce and achieve odor reduction within the building. Study approaches included: (1) investigation of air mixing by using CO2 as an indicator, (2) measurement of airflow capacity of ventilation fans, (3) measurement of odors and odorants, (4) development of statistical and IAQ models, and (5) recommendation of control strategies. The results showed that air quality in the building complies with occupational safety and health guidelines; however, nuisance odors that can increase stress and productivity loss still persist. Excess roof fan capacity induced odor dispersion to the upper levels. Lack of a local air exhaust system of sufficient capacity and optimum design was found to be the contributor to occasional less than adequate indoor air quality and odors. Overall, air ventilation rate in the building has less effect on persistence of odors in the building. Odor/odorant emission rates from centrifuge drops were approximately 100 times higher than those from the open conveyors. Based on measurements and modeling, the key control strategies recommended include increasing local air exhaust system capacity and relocation of exhaust hoods closer to the centrifuge drops.

scholarly journals The Evaluation of Indoor Microbial Air Quality in Two New Commissioning Higher Educational Buildings in Johor, Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 773-774 ◽  
pp. 1068-1072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin Ming Er ◽  
N.M. Sunar ◽  
Abdul Mutalib Leman ◽  
Norzila Othman ◽  
Q. Emparan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Affected Area ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Airborne Microorganism ◽  
Maximum Exposure

The proliferation of indoor airborne microorganism in public institutional buildings such as schools and universities is often regarded as a potential health hazards to the buildings’ users. This issue is not new in Malaysia, a country with humid climate which favours the growth of microorganism. However, there is lack of research’s data, especially in higher institutional buildings in this country. The assessment of the indoor air quality is conducted in a university’s two new commissioning buildings located at Southern Peninsular of Malaysia. Both buildings utilized centralized air conditioning system. Concentrations of airborne microorganism were determined using a single-stage impacter (biosampler) as per requirement of National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Manual Analytical Method 0800. The acquired readings were compared to the standard level determined in Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality (ICOP IAQ) 2010. Other parameters such as relative humidity, temperature, and air velocity were recorded along the assessment. The mean concentrations of the total bacteria at the affected area of the two buildings are 1102.5 CFU/m3 and 813 CFU/m3 respectively and it is significantly higher compared to the maximum exposure limit of 500 CFU/m3. While, the mean concentration of total fungi at the affected area for two buildings are 805.7 CFU/m3 and 509 CFU/m3 respectively which are both higher than the reading of outdoors and unaffected indoor area although slightly lower than the maximum exposure limit of 1000 CFU/m3. This study provides a glance of the poor indoor microbiological air quality in new higher institutional buildings in this humid region.

scholarly journals Emissions from Irish domestic fireplaces and their impact on indoor air quality when used as supplementary heating source

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-216
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Airborne Particle ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Heating Source ◽  
Open Fire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

A field study on the impact of fireplace on the indoor air quality was carried out between 2004 and 2006, where two main contaminants, CO and particulate matters, were investigated in twenty seven randomly selected Irish houses. The results show that while the physical environment has been improved by increasing the room air and radiant temperature, indoor air quality is significantly decreased when fireplace is used as additional heating source to the central heating. The operation of fireplace increased transient concentrations of CO and airborne particle to several times higher than the normal house average level. Statistical analysis showed significant difference of the average PM10 concentration between house groups with and without using fireplace. However fireplace did not demonstrate a significant influence on average CO level from our samples. When comparisons were made between houses with various emission sources, i.e. fireplace, smoking and open fire gas cooking, and houses free of the above sources, smoking and open fire gas cookers were proved to be other major sources of particles and CO. Particularly when they exist at the same time with fireplace, significant elevation of CO and airborne particle levels is observed in analysis. Cumulative probability analysis in some houses revealed high percentage of time exceeding health guidelines which indicated the potential health risk in these houses. Mass balance equation was employed to estimate particle emission rates from fireplace, namely 0.66 mg min-1 (PM10) and 0.20 mg min-1 (PM2.5) respectively in terms of mass concentration. Emission rates on particle numbers were also estimated despite the relatively smaller sample. Gas fuel fireplaces tended to emit fewer particles both in mass and in number comparing to fireplaces using solid fuels.

INDOOR MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION AND ITS RELATION TO PHYSICAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) CHARACTERISTICS AT DIFFERENT LABORATORY CONDITIONS

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazrin, A. H. ◽  
Anis Syazana, A. A. ◽  
Noor Faizul Hadry, N. ◽  
Norhidayah, A. ◽  
Mohd Shukri, M. A.
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Airborne Pollutants ◽  
Code Of Practice ◽  
Microbial Contaminants ◽  
Respirable Particulate

Laboratory usually refers to a room or building equipped with chemicals and biological agents for scientific experimentation and research. Due to its own indoor hazards and its cause of health implications, it is an urge to assess and to understand the physical indoor air quality (IAQ) characteristics in the laboratory and the variables affecting the degree of exposure to occupants. The main objectives of this study was aimed to assess and to compare the physical IAQ characteristics and airborne pollutants including particulate matters (PM) and gaseous pollutants between laboratories, to identify microbial contaminants via bacterial counts as well as scientific bacterial-kits species identification and to correlate the relationship of physical IAQ characteristics, airborne pollutants and microbial contaminants between different laboratory settings within the same building which are Natural Product (NP) laboratory, Plant Tissue Culture (PTC) laboratory, and Microbiology laboratory. The physical IAQ characteristics and airborne PM was measured using VelociCalc multi-function ventilation meter 9565 and DustMate environmental dust detector respectively. Surface Air System Indoor Air Quality (SAS IAQ) was used to capture the microbial contaminants and after that bacterial counting and identification were done. The scientific method protocol and standard reference limits were compared based on Industrial Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality (ICOP) (2010) regulated by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). The temperature of PTC laboratory, velocity of NP laboratory and Microbiology laboratory, the respirable particulate matter (PM) of all three laboratories and Colony Forming Unit (CFU) count of PTC and NP laboratory exceeded the standard limit regulated by DOSH. This study demonstrated that Gemella morbillorum is the common bacterial species available in the environment with poor IAQ and there is a significant relationship between physical characteristics, airborne pollutants and microbial contaminants between the different types of laboratory settings. In conclusion, priority should be given to NP laboratory as it is exposed to poor IAQ conditions and immediate action should be taken to eliminate the problems.

Impact of residential infiltration-reducing energy conservation measures on indoor air quality and potential health effects

1996 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thad Godish
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Conservation Measures ◽  
Energy Conservation Measures ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Reducing Energy

Theoretical and reported impacts of infiltration-reducing energy conservation measures on indoor air quality in residential buildings are reviewed. Though it is widely held that energy conservation measures either cause or contribute to indoor air pollution and possible adverse health effects, the relationship is a relatively complex one. Potential effects of energy conservation measures depend on the nature of individual contaminants, their sources, and responses to changes in infiltration and ventilation conditions. For contaminants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and radon, infiltration-reducing energy conservation measures appear to have limited effects on contaminant levels and potential health risks. Moisture is a major concern because decreased ventilation associated with energy conservation measures may result in increased indoor water vapor levels that may provide a favorable environment for allergen-producing dust mites and mold, as well as structural damage. As with other contaminants, the relationship between energy conservation measures and indoor moisture levels is relatively complex.Key words: infiltration, ventilation, indoor air quality, energy conservation, radon, formaldehyde.

scholarly journals Measurement and improvement of indoor air quality in an information technology classroom

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-924
Author(s):  
Mladen Tomic ◽  
Biljana Milutinovic ◽  
Predrag Zivkovic ◽  
Petar Djekic ◽  
Aleksandra Boricic
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Concentration ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Educational Institutions

With the rapid development of information technology equipment and its use in the teaching and learning activities, the working environment (especially indoor air quality) in which students and pupils spend a great deal of time in educational institutions has been changing. Therefore, special attention must be paid to indoor air quality and comfort. It is of great importance to maintain indoor air quality in an object, such as information technology classrooms, where a large number of students spend long periods of time. Poor indoor environment can negatively affect scholarly performances and cause discomfort and poor work performance. The problem of indoor air quality in educational institutions can be more serious than in other types of objects, because of the higher concentration of students and information technology equipment. This paper analyzes the changes in air quality in an information technology classrooms, when occupied with students, for the period from March to April. The changes of indoor air temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration are monitored in the classroom, as well as outdoor temperature and relative humidity. Several cases are studied: the classroom with closed windows and doors (closed classroom), the classroom with natural ventilation, the classroom cooled with a split system (cooled classroom). Responses of students are followed for each case. The analysis is performed based on the measurement results and numerical simulations using the computational fluid dynamics package, and measures are proposed to improve the indoor air quality in the considered classroom.

scholarly journals Indoor air quality monitoring and human perception survey on air quality in public buildings in Timisoara

2021 ◽  
Vol 343 ◽  
pp. 10021
Author(s):  
Iudit Bere Semeredi ◽  
Mihai Eugen Valceanu ◽  
Diana Mihaela Nica ◽  
Ella Anca Sipetan ◽  
Romulus Corlan
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Quality Monitoring ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Public Buildings

The paper presents a study aimed at investigating the indoor air quality (IAQ) and people’s perception regarding the indoor environment of schools and public buildings in Timisoara. The indoor air quality monitoring was performed during the cold season, in the period January 2020 – February 2021. Six public buildings – schools and administrative edifices belonging to the municipality were subject of monitoring. An Andersen microbial air sampler was used to enumerate the numbers and different kinds of respirable bacteria and fungi inside of the selected classrooms and offices. The results of the specialized laboratory analyses indicate that the microbiological contaminant counts, expressed in colonyforming unit (CFU/m3), fall within the permissible limits for all monitored rooms. No beta-hemolytic streptococci or Staphylococcus aureus were identified, conditionally pathogenic bacteria for the upper respiratory tract. Most moulds were of the genus Penicillium, without having a pathogenic significance for humans. Occupants’ perception on indoor air quality, thermal comfort, health complaints and symptoms such allergies or respiratory illnesses with possible connection to the Sick building syndrome were surveyed by questionnaire. The findings were analysed and a plan to improve IAQ in the public buildings was proposed, with specific measures to increase the comfort and health of the learning and working environment.

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