Evaluation of indoor air quality in selected daycare centre in Klang Valley, Malaysia using subjective and objective measurement

In Malaysia nowadays both parents are normally working without family support and reliable helpers. This situation has forced the parents to send their children to day care centre (DCC). The first objective was to conduct a survey based on pilot study which involved getting information from 300 parents and the second objective was involved with measurement of IAQ parameters of temperature, relative humidity,velocity, particulate matter (PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO)levelsin DCC. From the measurement and survey, result showed that location is the first priority of preference (40%), building and facilities (30%) and service (30%) and the main objective of this work is to develop a comprehensive ranking system for daycare centre (DCC).From the questionnaire and measurement the ranking of a good DCC was developed. 45 DCC in Klang Valley was selected because Klang Valley has the industrial, main road and residential areas and majority of the population are working. The data collection was conducted during the operating hours of DCC (8am-5pm) using IAQ meter model TSI 8762, VeloCalc TSI and TSI DustTrak which were placed within the children’s breathing zone (0.5-0.7mfrom the floor). Average inside temperature was 26-27ºC with KL as the highest (27.23ºC). Indoor relative humidity (RH) in all DCC was ranged between 47% and 76.7% and the average air velocity was ranged between 0.12m/s and 0.13m/s. DCC in industrial area in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Hulu Langat has the highest level of PM10(63-68μg/m3), CO (2.9-3.7ppm) and CO2(802-805ppm) and the DCC in the residential area has the lowestlevel of PM10(64-65μg/m3), CO (2.3-2.9ppm) and CO2 (725-733ppm). In Comparison of DCC location which was industrial, main road and residential areas, DCC near industrial area has the highest value of PM10, CO and CO2 compare to DCC near main road area and DCC in residential area. The average concentrations of PM10, CO and CO2 near industrial area were 69.8 μg/m3, 2.93 ppm and 804.16 ppm. Meanwhile, PM10, CO and CO2 DCC near the main road area and DCC in residential area were 68.88 μg/m3, 2.79 ppm and 725.56 ppm respectively. DCC with natural ventilation had lower concentration level of CO and CO2 compared to DCC with air conditioning system andgenerally each room is fitted with 4-8 windows and 2 doors, provided with ceiling fan or air conditioning unit. All values fall within TWA (time weighted average) of 8 hours recommended by DOSH guidelines 2010. It can be drawn from the results that the factor and its weightage of preferred DCC was as location (40%), building (30%) and service (30%) respectively and the selection of DCC can be based on DCC grades which was grade 1 (13-15 points), grade 2 (10-12), grade 3 (7-9) and grade 4 (3-6).From the study it can be concluded that DCC with integrated system of good service, location and premise has the highest accumulated point which determine a good practice of DCC.

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