Indoor Environmental Quality, Occupants’ Perception, Prevalence of SBS Symptoms and Sick Leave in a Green Mark Platinum versus a Non-Green Mark Rated Building PDF

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Scheme (GMS) in Singapore encourages better Indoor EnvironmentalQuality (IEQ) for healthier workplace for occupants. However, studies have shown that green buildings do not necessary ensure better IEQ. Thisstudy aimed to compare prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms and sick leave in a Green Mark Platinum and a Non-GreenMark certified building. 32 employees from the Green Mark Platinum building and 33 employees from the Non-Green Mark rated buildingwere surveyed to investigate their perceptions of the IEQ and prevalence of SBS experienced. Information concerning the offices and absenteeism ofstaff were collected as well. Compared to the Green Mark Platinum certified building, the non Green Mark certified building was more leaky andhad a higher air change rate (between 2.5 to 3 times higher), about 1oC cooler and a lower illuminance level. The statistical analysis of the datashowed that there are significant differences in occupants' perception: the Green Mark Platinum certified building was cooler (P=0.002), hadfresher, cleaner and less odour (P=0.002), had more relaxed monitor/keyboard comfort (P=0.029) and more satisfactory ergonomics (P=0.033)at 95% confidence level. Findings also suggested that the most frequent symptoms in the Non-Green Mark certified building were dry or irritatedthroat (15.15%) and lethargy or tiredness (15.15%) whereas the most frequent symptoms in the Green Mark Platinum building were blocked orstuffy nose (12.50%), dry or irritated throat (12.50%), dry skin (12.50%) and lethargy or tiredness (12.50%). However, there is nostatistically significant association between the SBS symptoms and the offices (Pgreater than0.05). Furthermore, analysis of the sick leave records have failedto show that occupants in Green Mark Platinum certified building took lesser sick leave days as compared to a non-Green Mark building.