Relative humidity and temperature effect on biological contaminant at public access building in Seberang Perai Selatan, Pulau Pinang
Loading...
Date
2017-06
Authors
Amni Umirah Binti Mohamad Nazir
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Generally, 90% of people spends their time indoor. In ICOP (2010) also stated that
healthy indoor will produce better work environment. Furthermore, recent findings had
shown that high biological contaminated could lead to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
This study aims to determine the level of temperature, relative humidity and its
relationship with biological contaminants in mosques as stipulated in Industry Code of
Practice (ICOP), 2010. Biological contaminants relationship between provenances
temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) were identified. An investigation of six
public access building regarding T, RH and biological contaminants were done at Masjid
Bukit Panchor, Masjid Nibong Tebal, Masjid Baru Sungai Bakap, Masjid Sungai Setar
Besar, Masjid Kampung Besar and Masjid Telok Ipil. Result of the study shown that
level of T and RH in the public access building were influenced by the number of jemaah
and mechanical ventilation. Masjid Nibong Tebal was one of the high temperature (32°C)
mosque with a high number of jemaah, meanwhile Masjid Kampung Besar also had the
highest temperature (33°C) because of the passive ventilation. Besides that, Masjid Baru
Sungai Bakap had the highest average RH (74%) which exceed the ICOP limit. Further,
the average concentrations of mold contaminants for all monitored mosques did not
exceed the acceptable guideline limit. Meanwhile, Masjid Telok Ipil was the only
mosque that had the highest bacterial count which exceed the acceptable limit with 620
cfu/m³ after vacuuming the carpets. Temperature and relative humidity were not only
sources for microbial growth but human activities and carpeting are also one of the main
contributors.