Singaporeans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, encountering a broad range of air pollutants as they travel through a variety of indoor environments in the course of their daily activities.
Indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-to-5 times higher than outside, and occasionally 100 times or higher, this exposure to High levels of pollutants may increase the risk of irritation, allergic sensitization, acute and chronic respiratory disorders, as well as other subtle neurological and behavioural effects.”
Common Singapore Indoor contaminant exposures are
• Biological contaminants:
• Chemical and particle exposures: formaldehyde, ozone, VOCs, respirable particles, carbon monoxide and cleaning chemicals. (Many times, the level of exposure to chemicals and particulate increases in enclosed air conditioned spaces as either there is insufficient (or Zero) dilution of fresh air or the level of off gassing is high.
• Dust Mites: A major source of indoor allergens responsible for IgE- respiratory illness in Singapore is dust mites, which the subject is least understood. Dust mites produce the most significant allergen in your environment.
Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like creatures that live in bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. The waste they produce causes allergic symptoms. Pillows and mattresses are a virtual paradise for dust mites because they thrive in warm, humid conditions while surviving on shed human skin cells. Since people spend 8-10 hours a day in the bedroom, it's where the greatest number of dust mites exists.
Sensitization to dust mite allergen is strongly associated with increased airway responsiveness, eczema and asthma. To learn more on how to test if you are affected by dust mites or how to or how to reduce the exposure to these pollutants, please visit
http://www.iaqsg.com/
How are these pollutants transported?
When surfaces containing biological growth are disturbed, by-products of this growth become airborne and are being dispersed into the environment through the air con systems and they subsequently settle on the indoor furnishing or inhaled by occupants. These sub-micron particles size pollutants are extremely light and can remain airborne for hours.
Managing Indoor Allergens
The first step toward managing indoor allergens is
Allergen Avoidance: Avoidance of offending triggers, whether allergens or irritants, is a critical first step in the management of many diseases.
Example: if you are easily sensitised by dust during house cleaning, use HEPA vacuum cleaners to reduce breathing in the pollutants being thrown out by the vacuum exhausts.
Wearing a face mask when doing some activity which will generate pollutants or particulate, can help go a long way to reduce the exposure to these pollutants.
If you are easily sensitised by house dust mites or its faeces, Encase your mattress, and pillows in allergy-proof covers. This will deprives dust mites of a primary food source: your dead skin cells. It also prevents dust mite residue from escaping from your bedding and exposing you to it.
Increasing fresh air: Our indoor activity may generate or harbour pollutants causing the occupant to be exposed to these spikes. Increasing the fresh air can decrease the concentration and exposure time to these environmental pollutants which can sensitise us.
Reduce Build-up: Toilets and bathrooms where many pollutants are generated or can build up due to poor or no ventilation can subsequently migrate to the adjacent room. By installing a simple exhaust fan which gets activated the minute the toilet light is switched on, can go a long way in reducing the humidity and pollutants from spreading into the environment. (Normally, the steam generated from the hot water showers which is a food source for the micro organism)
Avoid the use of harsh or toxic chemicals: Many times, the very same chemicals we used to kills the pests or control the pollutants can be very toxic for the environment and you. Many of these chemicals will leach into the environment and may not disperse/ evaporate as fast as we want them to. Long term exposure to such chemicals can trigger reactions in the human immune system subsequently leading to diseases known as MCS, “Multiple Chemicals Sensitivity”
How can I identify what is causing or triggering these problems in me?
The first step is to identify the source(s) of these contaminants. Many times, the source(s) may not be one and can be a cumulative effect or even multi factorial.
Elimination Process: The best way to identify the problem is to see if there is a trend. Once you have identified the cause, avoid the suspected cause and see if it’s resolved.
E.g. if a particular place or a location in the office or home triggers an allergy every time, avoid it. And if you have no choice but to work or live there, have the environment checked by a professional if you can’t locate the source(s). Check if it is only affecting you or the occupants in general.
Do an Indoor air quality audit?
Your office or residence can be professionally screen tested for indoor allergens. But eliminating this allergens or irritants sooner rather than later can improved the productivity of the work place and going towards a healthier and sustainable environment.
Choose the right Indoor Air Quality Professional (IAQ)
The decision you take of whom you choose will help determine the direction to your solution. Check the market out and find out what is the IAQ credential and experience. You don’t want someone to just test and give you the results, as many companies can take the data and tell you what you have. You want a professional who must be able to interpret the findings and give you a solution to your problem.
About IAQ
IAQ has a vast experience of indoor environment testing, and providing customised solutions specific for the problems encountered. This has earned us a reputation for delivering Solutions for Healthier Environments - because IAQ always attacks the root cause of a problem, not just its symptoms.
We are a multi-disciplinary, environmental testing & consultancy provider. Our experience & knowledge of environmental solutions is rigourously reinforced by the application of local & international standards.
Ride on the IAQ Advantage
Our proven multi-disciplinary approach addresses all potential environmental and social-responsibility requirements, providing our clients with:
• Proven combination of local know-how and international experience
• Effective and cost-efficient solutions, which meet regulatory and corporate requirements
• Single source responsibility
Need Professional Assistance?
Please feel free to contact us @ Tel: 62419443 or email info@iaqsg.com if you are interested in having your indoor air tested or audited to monitor the Indoor Air Quality in your environment. Please visit http://www.iaqsg.com
