Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city is fast tracking the purchase of air change measuring equipment to aid in determining areas at risk for Covid-19 transmission due to poor air circulation.
He said with the thermal anemometers, the city can measure the air change flow in schools, offices, business establishments, and industries having congestion to make sure their air change readings are within the standards and not at risk for infections.
This will guide the city in improving its health and safety rules as well as the establishments in adopting engineering interventions to remedy the problem and ensure the health and safety of their employees.
The mayor said the City Health Services Office (CHSO) under Dr. Rowena Galpo is procuring two units of thermal anemometer to be managed by Sanitation Division Chief Charles Bryan Carame.
Carame said the machines will determine sufficiency or insufficiency of air circulation in a place in terms of Air Change per Hour (ACH).
He said Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standard is 8 ACH but experts say 12 ACH is required for a Covid-19-free room.
The city stressed the importance of having proper ventilation in preventing the spread of the virus that causes the Covid-19. This can be achieved by opening windows and doors, removing curtains, and using electric fans.
Businesses lacking in ventilation were also encouraged to adopt remedial measures or implement structural changes to ensure they have proper aeration system in their spaces. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
April 30, 2024
