IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY FOR PREVENTING TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 AT BACTIGUARD MALAYSIA SDN. BHD AND BACTIGUARD SOUTH EAST ASIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/jest.v7.154Keywords:
Covid-19; airborne; transmission; ventilation; indoor air.Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Covid-19 was regarded as pandemic in the year 2020. However, the status had eventually changed to endemic in 2022 since there are still until now, cases being reported in daily basis, but mostly those infected person will only experienced reversible health effects, with almost none resulted to death after all countries applied the vaccination and booster program including Malaysia. Covid-19 spread mostly by close contact and respiratory droplets. Covid-19 is a viral transmission via small airborne microdroplets or known as 'aerosols'. According to current information on the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, inhalation at distances greater than 1-2 m from an infected source. As a result, optimising ventilation and air quality in indoor areas is crucial to reducing this risk of airborne transmission especially in workplace. Appropriate ventilation distribution ensures that appropriate dilution is achieved. Filtration is the most effective way for HVAC systems. Small particles are removed most effectively by HEPA filters. The purpose of this research was to analyse potential transmission of Covid-19 at Bactiguard Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Bactiguard Malaysia South East Asia, to evaluate existing ventilation system is sufficient to reduce the risk of airborne transmission and propose ventilation air system through engineering control that will reduce risk of airborne transmission via droplets. The research was equipped with survey questionnaire to assess employee knowledge and awareness against transmission of Covid-19 by offering insight of indoor air properties that can be adapted at Bactiguard Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Bactiguard South-East Asia based on statistical analysis performed using SPSS statistical analysis, risk assessment and documentation for continuous monitoring of Covid-19 transmission rate.
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