VENTILATION RATE IN SINGAPORE’S MARKETS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SPREAD OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Abstract

As Singapore has a tropical climate with relatively high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, the environment of the markets and hawker centres is ideal for the spread of respiratory diseases. In 2021, Singapore recorded high transmission of COVID-19 cases in its markets and hawker centres. This research aims to determine the relationship between the ventilation rate of the six markets and hawker centres in Singapore and the spread of respiratory diseases.

This study uses observational skills and objective measurements to obtain data. The results are compared to a list of ventilation components discussed in the literature reviews to determine whether the ventilation performance of the individual market is up to standard.

The results obtained from the observational research indicate that North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre is the only market that failed to meet expectations. On the other hand, the objective research indicates that the wind speeds measured in two of the COVID-19 clusters are relatively low.

The p-value of 0.405, 0.317 and 0.396, for wind speed, temperature and relative humidity from the t-test suggests that the ventilation rate does not have an impact on the spread of respiratory diseases. This is supported by the chi-square test which shows that all the ventilation components have a p-value higher than 0.05.

Therefore, both tests reached the same conclusion that the ventilation rates in Singapore’s markets do not have an impact on the spread of respiratory diseases.