Sick building syndrome: lighting assessment for computer lab in UiTM Shah Alam / Hawa Abdul Majid

This research attempts to expose not only to the reader but also to the author herself, the enigma of “sick building syndrome” (SBS). The reader is introduced to many facets of the syndrome from potential causes, through the consequences and to possible remedies. Past research on SBS had focused on major factor that caused the phenomena but this dissertation will take the reader on the understanding of lighting assessment, which is also, contribute to SBS. It has been said that first we shape our buildings, and then our buildings shape us (Ashton, 1992). Concern for the health of the university’s indoor environment is supported by studies which show that we spend up to 90% of our time indoors (Baker, 1998), and that indoor air may be up to five times more contaminated than outdoor air (CANDO, 1999). The tendency of certain buildings, particularly energy-efficient, controlled-climate buildings, to elicit various negative health effects (including headaches, fatigue, and severe respiratory problems) in their occupants is known as the SBS (WHO, 1998). The indoor environments influence multiple aspects of our health at the faculties, and the author believe that it is in the faculties best interests to directly address SBS concerns on computer labs, as they affect the well-being of students, staffs, and faculties alike.