Survey of Indoor Co2: Basis for Rapid Assessment of Office Workers’ Level of Safety

Most of the offices at LDCU main campus have air conditioning units that merely recirculate air thereby causing expected build-up of CO2 during occupancy  time which may affect workers’ safety.  Hence, a survey was conducted to determine the status of indoor CO2 in select offices of its four buildings and to determine as well if there is a significant difference in the CO2 levels across weeks. This study employed spot CO2 determination using direct-reading instrument designed for rapid assessment. Out of the thirteen offices tested, six were found to have adequate ventilation. These include the offices of the College of Teacher Education, College of Criminology, College of Business and Accountancy, College of Engineering, Finance and Executive Offices. This result implied inadequacy of oxygen supply in the area resulting to health symptoms like drowsiness and headaches as reported by some employees during occupancy time.  Recommendations included the installation of local exhaust to depressurize indoor air and allow oxygen to enter.  Putting indoor plants for CO2 absorption during photosynthesis.  It is also considered that a local policy be made by the university to conduct periodic monitoring of CO2 level which reflect the occupational health and safety of workers.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide, Indoor Air Quality, monitoring, worker safety