"Presently handled by the EPSS and the Clinic and Medical Services Section, the monitoring of indoor air quality is limited to critical or sensitive areas such as smoking lounges, multi-storey car parks, kids' nurseries, and in some cases public halls. But that will soon change and our coverage in terms of premises will expand once the relevant executive regulations of the Local Order are formulated," Mr Salman said.

Titled "Health and Safety of Buildings", Section 9 of the Local Order 11 of 2003, defines in general terms the prerequisites for a healthy and safe building, while it specifically refers to issues pertaining to indoor air quality and environment of buildings in different articles of the section. Article 56 of the local order mentions the responsibility of the landlord in maintaining the quality of indoor air, and also suggests covering or protecting equipment that releases gases or pollutes air.

According to Mr Salman, the executive regulations on the local order's section concerning health and safety of buildings are currently being formulated and will be tabled in due course.

In line with these developments, Mr Salman together with Zohoor Hussain Al Sabbagh, Head of the Clinic and Medical Services Section, will attend "Healthy Buildings", a five-day international conference to be organised by National University of Singapore from tomorrow.

Mr Salman noted that issues such as energy efficiency, indoor pollutants, and indoor air quality would be discussed at the conference by experts from several countries. He revealed that the outbreak of SARS epidemic, which caused the postponement of the "Healthy Buildings" would also be discussed at the meet.

"The issue is relatively new, and our participation is indicative of our keenness to learn about the subject and come up with solutions to the problem," he commented on the key issues of the conference.

He noted that there will be several participating countries at the conference whose experts have been studying management of indoor environment for a healthier building, and have been implementing practical solutions for combating and minimising indoor pollution. "By interacting with these experts we will be able to get a first-hand understanding of the issues and coming up with our own solutions that will be specific to the conditions and environment here," Mr Salman said.

The municipality delegates to the conference will also try to meet members of the National Environment Agency, and the relevant ministry in Singapore to discuss various issues related to the subject.