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