P-189 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS) IN A HOSPITAL BUILDING

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 74; no. Supplement_1
• Main Authors: Ketsakorn, Arroon, Sripaiboonkij, Penpatra, Suksawaeng, Chaninpong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 05.07.2024
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqae023.0725

Abstract Introduction Exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause adverse health effects especially if the workplace has poor ventilation. The purpose of this study was to assess associations of sick building syndrome (SBS) related to indoor air concentration and ventilation in a building in medical staff while performing task in a hospital building in Thailand. Methods The study was conducted between June and September 2022. Data collection involved using questionnaires which were developed by the researchers and used scientific instruments for the measurements of indoor air quality. The questions included population characteristics, work information, medical centre characteristics, indoor quality perception, indoor air quality parameters and SBS. The prevalence of SBS was classified into four groups: general symptoms, mucous irritation symptoms, lower respiratory symptoms, and skin problems. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze data. Results The results showed that factors e.g. gender, age, education levels, job position, duration of working indoor or outdoor, ventilation at workplace, use of office equipment with printer ink, use of volatile and smelly office equipment, use of cleaners and air fresheners in the room are significantly associated with prevalence of health effects e.g. general health symptoms (fatigue, aching at different body parts e.g. shoulder, neck, back, anxious nausea), lower respiratory symptoms, mucus irritation symptoms, and skin problems. Discussion and conclusion Therefore, efforts should be made to improve indoor air quality by applying ventilation systems in the building to reduce the prevalence of health effects that may occur in staff working in a hospital.