B064 Office IAQ policy

Indoor air quality of air-conditioned offices of Hong Kong: An IAQ policy influence

Brief:

In Hong Kong, the existing indoor air quality (IAQ) policy was in the form of guidance which audited 3 thermal comfort and 9 IAQ parameters. However, the influence of such policy on fungi exposure in offices was not extensively evaluated. This study aims to investigate the probable influences of existing IAQ policy and unsatisfactory rate with respect to some target exposure levels of airborne fungi count (AFC) in an air-conditioned office of Hong Kong. It was found that the dilution strategy was adopted in many offices and probably some outdoor air pollutants would be introduced to indoor environment for improperly designed systems. Enhancement of ventilation was observed by the decrease in unsatisfactory rate of CO₂. Moreover, enhancement of mean AFC in offices was reported. This study concludes the positive influence of the IAQ policy in promoting healthy workplace with IAQ improved in the past decade in Hong Kong.

Further Information:

Wong LT, Mui KW, Hui PS, Chan WY, 2008. Indoor air quality of air-conditioned offices of Hong Kong: An IAQ policy influence, The 11^th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, 17-22 August, Copenhagen, Denmark, Paper ID 5.