Four in five people suffer from illnesses linked to indoor air pollution, a survey has found.
The poll of 1,010 people was carried out in February by research firm Ipsos Hong Kong.
It found that 27 percent of respondents rated the indoor air quality in Hong Kong as ``bad'' and ``very poor;'' 60 percent thought it ``average.''
One-third thought that this poor air quality adversely affected their health.
It also found that 78 percent have suffered at least two symptoms, which may have been caused by indoor air pollution in the past six months.
The top three symptoms cited were tiredness, nasal congestion and headaches. Women are more likely to suffer from the symptoms.
Because of illness, 46 percent of those surveyed said they lost concentration at work. About 21 percent had to take sick leave in the past six months.
Ear, nose and throat specialist George Chow said poor ventilation could lead to sick building syndrome. Chow was not involved in the study.
A second survey, by air quality consultants Air Tek, found that of 14 commercial buildings and five shopping malls in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island it inspected in the past two months, 13 had poor air quality. Both survey findings were announced yesterday.
Thirteen of the inspected office buildings and all shopping malls were found to have high levels of respirable suspended particulates .
The maximum RSP level was 314.67 microgram/m3 at an office on Granville Road and 283.33 microgram/m3 for a Nathan Road shopping mall.
Ten office buildings exceeded the standard for total volatile organic compounds.
An office in Wong Chuk Hang Road recorded 18 times the standard at 1,640 ppb. Four shopping malls exceeded the standard.
For carbon dioxide, 13 office buildings had exceeded the standard.
High levels of carbon dioxide can harm lung and respiratory functions, while RSP and volatile particles may cause cancer, Chow said.
The general manager of Air Tek, Wong King-chung, said many shopping malls and offices do not install sufficient air ventilation systems, or even switch them off to save on their electric bills. |