Perceived Indoor Climate And Building-Related Illnesses Among Staff At Universiti Selangor Shah Alam Campus

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 staff in Universiti Selangor (Unisel) Shah Alam City Campus consisting of 44.7% academic and 55.3% non-academic respectively. Overall, 43.1% male and 56.9% female was enrolled as a respondent. The aim of this study is to determine indoor climate factors and building-related illness or general symptoms occurrence among the Unisel staff. Environmental risk factors to consider in the study are temperature, air quality and physical factors. Result shows the ambient temperature of the workplace, varying room temperature was the highest feedback by the respondents with 51.9%, followed by too high room temperature 46.2%, too low room temperature 36.5% and the draught 34% respectively. The air quality characteristics, unpleasant smell contribute to the highest respond with 36.9% followed by stuffy bad air 35.2% and dry air 31.5% respectively. The prevalence of general symptoms, such as fatigue (50.8%), heavy headedness (42.3%), nausea/dizziness (36.2%), and difficulties concentrating on working (42.3%) were also recorded. A significant relationship was found between workplace environment and present symptoms among the Unisel staff. The result shows that non-conducive working environment contributed to general symptoms of building-related illness among the Unisel staff.