Reflection on “The Importance of Indoor Air Quality”

How does it feel when you have your meal in your bedroom or classroom, then left for a break, and go back to that room after 10 minutes? Smoky? Fishy? Nauseating? How does your bedroom smell when you wake up? Foul? Tangy? A bit pungent? These are all related to indoor air quality (IAQ).

Hong Kong citizens nowadays are not familiar with IAQ. Students are taught about outdoor air pollution but they lack knowledge of indoor air pollution. Ozone is emitted when using electrical appliances such as vacuum cleaners and refrigerators, which can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, or even damage one’s lungs.

Additionally, inferior IAQ is a time bomb. It may affect our health. Poor IAQ can lower sleep efficiency when one is exposed to elevated levels of CO2. This can contribute to sleep debt, which can deteriorate the functions of our brain and body.

Moreover, some companies such as HSBC pay IAQ testing companies to ensure that they are providing a clean and people-oriented working environment (some wish to earn the ISO Certificate for marketing). Indoor air can be five times more contaminated than outdoor air. Indoor air pollutants like tobacco smoke, household products, etcetera, can induce eye problems or even sick building syndrome, an illness that is caused by poor IAQ.

Furthermore, my neighbours smoke daily and my family is forced to smell the bad smell. We have to close all the windows frequently to block the smell! Third-hand smoke is as harmful as smoking and I find this extremely annoying.

Dr. Tso’s lecture taught me about IAQ, and therefore I did some online research. I thought of testing my home’s IAQ, to test the presence of particular matters, volatile organic compounds, and nicotine. And to see if we have to move out due to the detrimental substance(s). Eventually, I contacted SGS, CMA, and (A+A)*L laboratories but they said it is not beneficial to take the test for our case as the test cannot determine whether the IAQ brings negative impacts.

We should minimise any potential factors that may affect our health and well-being, especially during the pandemic. Maintaining IAQ is a shared responsibility among society. Taxes should be raised on tobacco products and teenagers should be educated to enjoy a 100% smoke-free world. I will definitely be a volunteer and promote the drawbacks of smoking to the society!