The use of air conditioning as an alternative to replace natural ventilation may improve comfort and work productivity. However air conditioning that is not well maintained may become a good media for microbial growth. This condition may result in decreased indoor air quality and induce health impairment known as Sick Building Syndrome. The objectives of this study were to analyze the effects of physical and microbiological qualities on health impairment. This study was carried out in an air conditioned, two-story building of PT.Infomedia Nusantara in Surabaya.This was an observational study with cross-sectional approach. This study was carried out by means of interview, observation and measurements including air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and the number of colony forming units in a cubic meter of air (germs, fungi, and bacteria). The number of population was 94 employees and the number of samples taken was 89 employees using purposive sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed either descriptively (tabulation) and analytically using logistic regression test (α = 0.05).

The results of this study showed that air temperatures measured were still within the recommended temperature range, while relative humidity, air velocity and total germs colonies measured in two locations had exceeded the recommended standards. The total colonies of fungi were 0,87 (first floor) and 1,94 (second floor), and total colonies of bacterial were 6,87 (first floor) and 3,21 (second floor) respectively.   Complaints experienced by employees were skin irritation (75,28 %), eye irritation (74,16 %), nasal irritation (73,03 %), neurological dissorder (66,29 %), sore throat (46,07 %), and nausea (21,35 %) respectively. Fungus had significant influence (p = 0.048) on nasal irritation, nausea were significantly affected (p = 0.020) by germs whereas the other variables did not influence (p > 0.05) on health problems. It is suggested that the company provide training on indoor air quality (SBS/BRI) to all employees and conduct environmental monitoring as well as performing either preplacement or periodic medical examination. The air conditioning available should be checked and maintained at regular intervals, manager and employees should always participate in keeping the work place clean.


Keywords:  physical and microbiological qualities, air conditioned room, health disturbances