Evaluation and comparison of the indoor air quality in different areas of the hospital

Abstract

The levels of indoor air pollutants are increasing. However, the indoor air quality of only operating rooms, intensive care units, and radiology departments is usually monitored in hospitals. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the indoor air quality of an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic and compare air quality indices among different areas in a hospital. We prospectively measured indoor air quality using air quality sensors in different areas of a hospital from February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), total volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter with diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide concentrations were measured in the otorhinolaryngology clinic, orthopedic clinic, and reception area. The intervention efficacy was compared between otorhinolaryngology clinics employing and not employing air-cleaners. The overall concentrations of CO 2 , VOCs, and PM2.5 in the otorhinolaryngology clinic were significantly higher than those in the orthopedic clinic or reception area. The indoor air quality was the worst in winter. The intervention effect was observed only in PM2.5 concentrations in otorhinolaryngology clinics employing an air-cleaner. Medical practitioners and patients are frequently exposed to ambient indoor air pollution in otorhinolaryngology clinics. Hence, health-related strategies to protect against ambient indoor air pollution in otorhinolaryngology clinics are warranted.

Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Units—A Systematic Literature Review Focusing Recent Research

“…The most impacted words (higher Chi-squared values) are: concentration (120.2), CO 2 (89.6), PM2.5 (79.6), PM10 (64.7), temperature (53.2) and humidity (49.7). The analysis of the studies categorized in this cluster highlights the following issues: outdoor pollution sources should be addressed when evaluating indoor air quality [20,31,32], as should meteorological conditions [33][34][35]; isolated parameters-Radon gas [33] and CO 2 [19,36,37]-could be used to assess health risks in healthcare facilities; mercury vapors and VOCs in dental clinics are important issues which are still underexplored [38][39][40]; particles and VOCs released through surgical smoke in operating rooms are a concern for IAQ [41][42][43][44]; anatomopathological activities are associated with the significant release of organic contaminants to indoor air [45,46]. -Cluster 2 is related to the design and management of infrastructures.…”

Der Effekt von mobilen Luftfiltersystemen auf die Aerosolbelastung in Großraumszenarien vor dem Hintergrund des Infektionsrisikos der COVID-19-Erkrankung. Kann die Präsenzlehre wieder aufgenommen werden?

“…Ein Effekt der Raumluftfilter auf die CO 2 -Konzentration war erwartungsgemäß nicht festzustellen, da die Geräte keinen Effekt auf das Luftgas CO 2 ausüben. Auch Lee et al konnten in einem ähnlichen Szenario (Krankenhausräume) keinen Effekt von Raumluftfiltern auf die CO 2 -Konzentration feststellen [ 24 ]. Der Effekt der Filter auf die Aerosolkonzentration bzw.…”

“…Nach ca. 10 min erreichen die Werte dann al- Raumluftfiltern auf die CO2-Konzentration feststellen [24]. Der Effekt der Filter auf die Aerosolkonzentration bzw.…”

Paving the Way for a Green Transition in the Design of Sensors and Biosensors for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

“…Benzene (C 6 H 6 ), toluene (C 7 H 8 ), ethyl benzene (C 8 H 10 ), ortho-, meta- and para-xylene, (known as BTEX) (C 8 H 10 ), acetone (C 3 H 6 O), styrene (C 8 H 8 ), and benzyl alcohol (C 7 H 8 O), are just a few examples of commonly known organic substances having vapor pressure values higher than 0.01 kPa at 20 °C and/or boiling points below 250 °C, that must therefore be considered as VOCs. These substances may be found in ordinary home indoor sites, and in other countless indoor and outdoor environments (and microenvironments) such as those located in industries [ 6 ], commercial places [ 7 ], hospitals [ 8 ], schools [ 9 ], etc. For example, among the most diffused VOCs in homes, during the analysis of the inner air of 5000 houses in Japan, acetaldehyde (C 2 H 4 O), toluene, and formaldehyde were found to be the most abundant VOCs [ 10 ].…”