Indoor air quality: The case of the Biology Sciences Building, Faculty of Science And Technology, National University of Malaysia

Indoor air quality refers to the air quality in and around buildings and structures related to the health and comfort of those who are in the building. The objectives of this study were to determine the indoor air quality, to identify species of bacteria and fungi present in the room, and to investigate the consumer views on indoor air quality in Biology Sciences Building, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, National University of Malaysia. This study measures the concentration of carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity in the laboratory in the afternoon and at night. The number of bacteria and fungi in the air was determined by exposing a petri dish in a laboratory setting and by biochemical tests. A questionnaire designed to study the Biology Sciences Building was administered to the building users to gauge their views on indoor air quality. The results revealed that carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and relative humidity for most of the sampling stations were in accordance with the standards set by the DOSH. Only average temperatures and relative humidity at the Learning Lab Biochemistry, Environmental Science Laboratory, the Laboratory Psychology and Aquatic Biology, and the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory showed slightly higher readings compared to those by DOSH. Bacteria and fungi identification procedures carried out at all sampling stations showed the presence of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus laterosporus, Bacillus sphaericus, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas fluarescens, Pseudomonas stuzeri and Aeromonas hydrophila , Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium digitatum and Fusarium dimerum. Furthermore, the survey showed that almost all respondents indicated respectively a good and a satisfactory level of comfort and health while in the building and with regard to the building ventilating system. Users’ awareness of the importance of indoor air quality was found to be moderate. In conclusion, to improve indoor air quality the air conditioning system must be operated properly, and workers and students using the Biological Sciences Building must increase their awareness of the importance of indoor air quality.