KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is in the final stages of drafting an international standard for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) into the nation’s building codes and practices. 

Deputy Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha, who announced this, said they were fine-tuning the draft to be issued for public comment soon.  

“Most of our time is spent indoors, and yet we neglect the fact that Malaysia does not incorporate any standards on the subject unlike other developed countries.  

“Building ventilation, air quality and space indirectly impacts the welfare of its occupants in terms of safety, health and environment,” he said.  

Kong added that the IAQ draft would take into account the local environment conditions, while maintaining emphasis on achieving international standards. 

It is being undertaken by the Standards Malaysia, the official representative in international standardization bodies under the Ministry.  

Kong, who earlier opened a seminar on Sustainable Approach on Environmental Quality Performance: Toward the Improvement of Indoor Air Quality and Building Conservation here on Tuesday also highlighted the implications of development.  

“As we surge ahead in the race for development, urban centres are growing, and this growth does not come without a price. 

“Concerns about the builtup environment are no longer limited on policy-making levels, since the public is becoming more aware and vocal. 
 
“These include the impact of development on the environment and related issues such as sustainability,” he said. 
He urged developers and players in the construction industry to improve their building standards.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/24/nation/20070724120712&sec=nation