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In 86 per cent of the points of sale inspected by the State Construction Control Bureau (SCCB) the CO2 level is below 1,000 ppm. Lower air quality is more frequently registered at small points of sale which is often linked to the fact that in order to save money no mechanical ventilation equipment is used.

Air quality was measured[i] over a period from 8 to 12 February this year inspecting 308 points of sale in Riga, Jelgava, Olaine, Ikšķile, Ādaži, Ogre, Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis, Salaspils, Ķekava, and their municipalities. This was conducted by the SCCB in cooperation with the Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases of Rīga Stradiņš University and SIA Ko tu elpo.

The inspection covered points of sale of different sizes – with an area of 25 m2 to 144,354 m2. Measurements were taken at different places such as at the entrance, in the centre of the room, at the back of it. In case of inspecting a shopping centre with different shops, several of them were inspected and then the average was calculated.

The aim of the study has been to check the air quality at points of sale, since the World Health Organisation has reported and several scientific studies have indicated that poor ventilation can facilitate spread of COVID-19. It is believed that one of the most effective indicators of indoor air quality and cleanliness is the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) or carbonic acid gas. If it varies between 400–600 ppm, then it is considered a very good indicator of air quality. If the CO2 concentration is from 600 to 1,000 pmm, then it is an average indicator of air quality but if the carbon dioxide exceeds 1,000 ppm, it is considered to be a low indicator of air quality.

In conducting the inspection, the air quality was mostly checked at grocery shops (46 %), shopping centres (13 %), and service stations (13 %). The inspection also took place at the opticians, pharmacies, shops selling hygiene and other products. In 14 per cent of cases or at 43 points of sale with an area of up to 5,000 m2 the CO2 level exceeded 1,000 ppm.

Staff admitted at some points of sale that mechanical ventilation system had been turned off or did not work at full capacity at the moment of inspection; energy saving or staff complaints about the temperature being too low were named as reasons for this situation. After switching on the mechanical ventilation, indicators improved in several places falling below 1,000 ppm. This allows to conclude that after turning on the mechanical ventilation at points with an increased CO2 level, it would be possible to maintain it below 1,000 ppm. Thus the total number of points of sale with the CO2 level above 1,000 ppm could be reduced to 4 per cent of all the sites inspected. The SCCB encourages traders to ensure that the ventilation equipment is operated adequately on a continuous basis and pay special attention to regular ventilation of rooms.

 

 


[i] The CO2 level was measured using Testo 400, Testo 440, and Testo 480 measuring instruments.

E. Balgalves foto

Elīna Balgalve

Public Relations Specialist - 123
elina.balgalve [at] bvkb.gov.lv