Indoor Air Quality: A Global and Corporate Concern
IN Malaysia’s fast-growing cities, buildings are packed closely together, surrounded by heavy traffic and pollution. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), creating healthy indoor spaces has become difficult.
Many modern materials used today for interior design – like paints, flooring and furniture – look attractive but often release harmful chemicals into the air.
These chemicals, known as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), can have a big impact on the health, comfort, and productivity of people who live or work inside these spaces every day.
Prolonged exposure to these substances can cause fatigue, headaches, breathing problems, and even conditions linked to what experts call ‘Sick Building Syndrome’.
Over time, poor indoor air quality doesn’t just harm health – it also affects workers’ efficiency and overall business performance.
The problem is becoming more serious in Malaysia’s urban centres where SMEs operate in compact offices, shops, or co-working environments with limited ventilation.
Material Choices and Their Impact on Health, Performance, and Cost
One of the main factors worsening this issue is the extensive use of imported materials. Although imported products may be seen as stylish or more modern, they come with hidden costs.
They often have high embodied energy (meaning they require a lot of energy to produce and transport) and add to the building’s carbon footprint.
In other words, using such materials contributes to environmental pollution even before they’re installed. Moreover, with a growing demand (rising at a rate of almost 5.9% annually), these imports can be expensive and unstable to source, especially when global supply chains are disrupted.
For many SMEs already dealing with tight budgets, imported materials might seem economical at first glance.
However, in the long run, these materials often cost more because of frequent maintenance, faster wear and tear, and the need for early replacement.
There are also hidden business risks – poor indoor environments can lead to dissatisfied employees, reduced productivity, and even damage to a company’s reputation for being environmentally irresponsible.
Indigenous Sustainable Materials as a Strategic Alternative
Malaysia is rich in natural resources and traditional craftsmanship. This is where local, sustainable, or indigenous materials can play a major role.
By making smarter design and purchasing decisions, SMEs can improve building performance, employee health, and long-term operational costs while supporting local communities.
Materials such as bamboo, rattan, tropical hardwood, lime plaster, clay bricks, terracotta tiles, and plant-based paints are naturally less toxic.
They emit little to no harmful gases, making indoor air much cleaner and healthier to breathe.
Besides better air quality, these materials help regulate temperature and sound, creating more comfortable and quiet working spaces.
They last longer and require less maintenance, so although they might cost a bit more at the start, they save more money over time.
For SMEs that must carefully manage every ringgit, this “life-cycle saving” can be an important financial advantage.
Adopting local materials is also good for business branding. Today’s consumers and investors are becoming more environmentally aware.
Companies that use sustainable, homegrown materials send a strong message that they care about people and the planet.
In industries like hospitality, offices, education, or real estate, where brand image and customer trust are crucial, being seen as responsible and eco-conscious can greatly boost competitiveness.
Leveraging Indigenous Sustainable Material Finishes to Strengthen the Local Economy
From an economic standpoint, promoting the use of indigenous materials helps local industries grow. When SMEs choose to buy from regional producers, it creates more demand for local craftsmen, farmers, and small manufacturers.
This supports job creation, innovation, and knowledge sharing across the local supply chain. It also helps businesses avoid long import delays and high shipping costs because materials are sourced nearby.
Such local sourcing promotes what’s called a circular economy – where materials are reused, recycled, and produced close to where they’re needed.
This not only reduces carbon emissions from transportation but also builds stronger connections between designers, makers, and the community.
In summary, Malaysian SMEs can benefit in multiple ways by choosing indigenous sustainable materials:
Healthier workplaces – Better indoor air improves concentration, creativity, and employee satisfaction.
Long-term savings – Natural materials last longer, need less upkeep, and cut costs over time.
Stronger environmental performance – Local, low-carbon materials align with global sustainability goals and make it easier to meet ESG standards.
Higher property value – Spaces that are healthy, comfortable, and rooted in local culture stand out in the marketplace.
By moving away from imported materials that harm both people and the planet, Malaysian SMEs can transform their spaces into healthier, more resilient, and more sustainable environments.
Choosing indigenous materials isn’t just an eco-friendly decision – it’s a smart business strategy that benefits the environment, strengthens the economy, and creates lasting value for the future.
● Dr Swetha Madhusudanan, Lecturer, School of Design and Arts, Faculty of Business, Design and Arts, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak campus
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at mvoon@swinburne.edu.my.
