Online version: PDF - DTIE
Online version: PDF - DTIE
Online version: PDF - DTIE
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084<br />
UNIT 4: ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS<br />
Environment Status Review on Emissions and the<br />
Indoor Environment<br />
EMISSIONS AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENT FACTSHEET<br />
• Emissions from tourism facilities include:<br />
- Combustion gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons) from fossil fuel<br />
and gas-operated boilers, stoves and generators;<br />
- CFCs from refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment;<br />
- Halons in fire-extinguishing equipment;<br />
- Vapours from dry cleaning solvents;<br />
- Vehicle emissions.<br />
• Indoor environment quality is of great importance to the comfort and well-being of<br />
occupants. Most people living and working in cities spend 90% of their time indoors.<br />
• Indoor air quality depends on the activities and emissions within the building and the<br />
pollutants brought into it from the air outside. Common sources of indoor air quality<br />
contamination include:<br />
- Combustion gases from stoves, boilers and other combustion equipment;<br />
- Tobacco smoke;<br />
- VOC vapours from cleaning solvents, paints, varnishes, photocopy emissions and<br />
pesticides;<br />
- Asbestos fibres;<br />
- Ozone brought in from the outside;<br />
- Dust and particles;<br />
- CFCs from refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment;<br />
- Radon released from building materials.<br />
• Poor indoor air quality can induce adverse health effects, from headaches and nausea<br />
to respiratory irritations and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure (in the case of<br />
hospitality employees) can induce more serious illnesses.<br />
• The best-known indoor environment-related health issue is ‘sick building syndrome’,<br />
associated with continual exposure to fumes from paints, adhesives, varnishes, and<br />
chemical emissions from photocopiers, furnishings and fabrics. The World Health<br />
Organisation (WHO) estimates that 30% of new and refurbished buildings have<br />
registered complaints of sick building syndrome symptoms: headaches, dizziness,<br />
rashes, asthma, and allergies.<br />
• Adequate ventilation is critical in improving indoor air quality. Fresh air is needed to<br />
renew oxygen, remove micro-organisms, vapours and odours, as well as excess heat<br />
and moisture.<br />
• Most small hotels are likely to use mechanical ventilation systems, while the use of<br />
integrated heat, light and ventilation systems is both more efficient and more feasible<br />
for larger properties.<br />
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