Q: What is IAQ?

A: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health

    and comfort of building occupants.

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Q: What will affect the indoor air quality?

A: Air Pollutants and Thermal comfort will affect the indoor air quality. 

    Air Pollutants refer to a variety of harmful substances produced by building materials, human activities,

    office equipment, outdoor environment, etc. 

    Thermal comfort means the human body's feelings and preferences for temperature, humidity, and wind speed, etc.   

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Q: What are the common indoor air pollutants?

A: There are some common indoor air pollutants : 

1. ​     Combustion Gas (Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) 

2. ​     Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC)

3.      Formaldehyde (HCHO)

4.      Radon​ (Rn)

5.      Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

6.      Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) (Second-hand Smoking)

7.      Respirable suspended particulates (RSP/ PM10) 

8.      Ozone (O3)

9.      Biological Contaminants (Bacteria, Fungi, Mould, Viruses, and Dust Mites, etc.)

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Q: What is the impact of poor indoor air quality on us?

A:  Poor indoor air quality can cause physical discomfort such as headache, eye irritation, breathing difficulties,

     skin allergic reactions, fatigue, and nausea, etc. It will also affect our efficiency at work,

     absenteeism, and decreased productivity.

     Children, the elderly, and those with existing respiratory or heart disease are more susceptible to the effects of

     indoor air pollution. 

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Q: How do air pollutants enter a home/office?

A:   There are many possible sources of air pollutants in homes. Following are some common sources/causes :

1.      Renovation work

2.      Burning of fuels in gas stoves and ovens

3.      Building and furnishing materials

4.      New pressed-wood furniture

5.      Using consumer products containing volatile organic compounds, such as cosmetics, fragrance products, cleaning agents and                 pesticides

6.      Dry-cleaned clothing

7.      Smoking

8.      Damp environment causing mould growth

9.      Poor housekeeping or inadequate cleaning

10.      Poor ventilation causing accumulation of biological contaminations and other air pollutants 

Q: How can we improve the IAQ in our home or office?

A:   To Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in our home or office :

1.      Open the windows often to increase ventilation, if air-conditioners are used, maintain good ventilation with sufficient fresh           air supply.

2.      Clean regularly the ventilation system including air filter and ducting, and maintain the system in good working condition           at all times.

3.      Quit smoking at home and establish a “non-smoking” policy.

4.      Keep your premises clean and dry, including vacuuming regularly, cleaning up mould and fixing water leakage/seepage           and flooding promptly.

5.      Dispose of perishable food products properly to avoid generating unpleasant odour.

6.      Avoid unnecessary partitioning of the premises.

7.      Select products with no or low volatile organic compounds.

8.      Move in new furniture only when it has been “aired-out” adequately.

9.      Provide local exhaust to polluting activities such as heating and cooking, redecoration activities, photocopying, and                   smoking as far as possible.