Air Quality In Rooms Research Articles

Effects of Inlet Air Supply on Particle Deposition in an Office Building

This article presents an assessment on the performance of inlet air supply for improving indoor air quality in an office building room using modelling and simulation approach in COMSOL Multiphysics software. The parameters considered in this study are air velocity as inlet air supply and particle diameter. For values of air velocity varies from 0.5 m/s, 1 m/s, and 1.5 m/s. While for particle diameter varies from 0.3 μm, 2.5 μm, and 10 μm. The results of the simulation are demonstrated in the form of air velocity spectrum showing the distribution of air supply within the office building room and also to the hallway. It shows the maximum value of air velocity simulated at the door is 0.4 m/s and this is applied for transmitting particles from the office building room to the hallway. Furthermore, the simulation results indicated that an increment of ventilation rate is not an effective strategy for improving indoor air quality, this is due to the air velocity which wasn’t distributed homogeneously as affected to the room geometry. Besides, even though air is a medium for particle to move, but the basic principle of particle to move and rest is only confined to the height and gravity. Thus, it needs an appropriate comprehension regarding to the air velocity distribution in order to improve indoor air quality effectively.

Influence of Surgical Smoke on Indoor Air Quality in Hospital Operating Rooms

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study is to analyze the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the surgical smoke generated during laparoscopic surgery, and determine their influence on the indoor air quality in hospital operating rooms (ORs). Field measurements were carried out during eight surgeries in conventional and robotic ORs in which an electrosurgery system was being used, thus continuously generating surgical smoke. The VOCs were measured at three different locations, in the patients’ abdominal cavities, beside the surgical table, and at the exhaust vent. Other indoor pollutants including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and total airborne bacteria (TAB) in the indoor air were measured at the exhaust to assess the general indoor air quality in the ORs. The results from the patients’ abdominal cavities confirmed that the surgical smoke contained abundant VOCs, with the levels of benzene and toluene exceeding the health guidelines. Compared to the results obtained in the abdominal cavity, the measurements obtained at the surgical table and exhaust vent exhibited low levels of VOCs, indicating that the actual exposure to these compounds was minimized in a highly-ventilated operating room. However, the benzene concentration in the operating room approached a level that threatens the health of the occupants. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that there is a potential health risk to the surgeon who is closest to the point of origin of the surgical gas, as well as a need for further attention to identify the local pollutant dispersion near the surgical table while the ventilation system is operating.

Investigating the Effect of Ergonomics on Employee Productivity: A Case Study of the Butchering and Trimming Line of Pioneer Food Cannery in Ghana

This study sought to investigate the effect of ergonomics on the employee productivity focusing on the Butchering and Trimming Line of Pioneer Food Cannery Limited (PFC) in Ghana. Research questionnaires were developed and distributed to a sample of 134 workers consisting of workers in charge of butchering, trimming as well as supervisors. It was evident from the findings that all the indicators explaining work ergonomics from the perspective of the employees of PFC were satisfactory despite the few respondents who indicated unsatisfactory to the general design and workplace décor, and conduciveness of the room temperature and air quality respectively. It was established that all the indicators of work ergonomics have a significant positive correlation with employee productivity of PFC. The study recommended to the management of Pioneer Food Cannery Limited to instigate a corporate real estate policy that will focus on using PFC workplace environment to attract, retain, and boost the performance of PFC employees.

KUALITAS UDARA RUANG PERAWATAN PENYAKIT MENULAR DI RUMAH SAKIT PARU SURABAYA TAHUN 2016

Infectious disease treatment rooms are places with a high risk of the transmission of diseases and nosocomial infections. Therefore, there is a need for good environmental quality, either in terms of air quality, and room construction condition, cleaning process and number of occupant density. The study was a descriptive study aimed at describing the air quality of infectious disease treatment rooms in Lung Hospital Surabaya in 2016. Data were collected by means of observations, interviews, measurements and calculation of the airborne bacterial index. CFU/m3Results showed that the airborne bacterial index of inpatient rooms was 1030 CFU/m and >2628 CFU/m3 for Dahlia Room 1, Dahlia Room 2 and Pear Room, respectively. Room temperature was 29.8°C, 30.5°C and 30.9C for Dahlia Room 1, Dahlia Room 2 and Pear Room, respectively. Room humidity was 69%, 65% and 65% for Dahlia Room 1, Dahlia Room 2 and Pear Room, respectively. Room air velocity was eligible for Dahlia Room 1 and Dahlia Room 2 at 0.49 m/s and 2 0.18 m/s respectively, but It was not so for Pear Room at 0.89 m/s. Room lighting was 62 lux, 26 lux and 81 lux for Dahlia Room 1, Dahlia Room 2 and Pear Room, respectively. In conclusion, the airborne bacterial index, temperature, humidity and lighting in Lung Hospital Surabaya in 2016 did not meet the requirements as defined in Decree of the Minister of Health No. 1204/Menkes/SK/X/2004 on Hospital Environmental Health Requirements. It iis recommended to improve the cleaning and maintenance process of those rooms in accordance with health procedures and to improve construction of the rooms which do not meet the requirements. Keywords : Room air quality, Hospital

Time-use in different rooms of selected New Zealand houses and the influence of plan layout

House interiors are affected by outdoor and indoor pollutants although levels of exposure differ with room type. The times people spend in rooms also differ, and hence their potential level of exposure, which is the focus of this article. Additionally, time spent in a kitchen during cooking, which is the main source of indoor particulates for non-smoking households, could affect indoor air quality in other rooms, especially where the kitchen is part of an open plan arrangement. This study investigated the time people spend in all rooms including kitchens and open plan kitchen/dining/living in New Zealand houses. On average, New Zealanders spend 54% of time at home indoors in usual bedrooms and 29%–36% in a living room, dining room, and kitchen (or combination of these). People in open plan houses spend less time in living areas than those in cellular plan houses, but effectively more time in the ‘kitchen’. Given time spent in a combined living room/dining/kitchen, combined living room/kitchen or combined dining room/kitchen is effectively time spent in a kitchen, people spend respectively 3.23, 1.36 and 0.53 h/day more in the kitchen compared to those having a separate kitchen, which could increase their chance of exposure to kitchen pollutants.

Comparison of two air sampling methods to monitor operating room air quality and assessment of air quality in two operating rooms with different ventilation systems in the national hospital of Sri Lanka

Air contamination in the operating room (OR) is an important contributor for surgical site infections. Air quality should be assessed during microbiological commissioning of new ORs and as required thereafter. Despite many modern methods of sampling air, developing countries mostly depended on conventional methods. This was studied in two ORs of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) with different ventilation system; a conventional ventilation (CV) and a laminar air flow (LAF). Both ORs were sampled simultaneously by two different methods, the settle plate and sampler when empty and during use for a defined time period. Laboratory work was done in the Medical Research Institute. The two methods of sampling showed moderate but highly significant correlation. The OR with CV was significantly more contaminated than LAF when empty as well as during use by both methods. Overall, the difference in contamination was more significant when sampled by the sampler. Differences in contamination in empty and in-use ORs were significant in both ORs, but significance is less in LAF rooms. The consistent and significant correlation between settle plate and sampler showed that the settle plate is an acceptable method. The LAF theatre showed less contamination while empty and during use as expected. Air contamination differences were more significant when sampled with sampler indicating that it is a more sensitive method. Both CV and LAF ORs of the NHSL did not meet the contamination standards for empty theatres but met the standards for in-use indicating that the theatre etiquette was acceptable.

Comparison of two air sampling methods to monitor operating room air quality and assessment of air quality in two operating rooms with different ventilation systems in the national hospital of Sri Lanka

Air contamination in the operating room (OR) is an important contributor for surgical site infections. Air quality should be assessed during microbiological commissioning of new ORs and as required thereafter. Despite many modern methods of sampling air, developing countries mostly depended on conventional methods. This was studied in two ORs of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) with different ventilation system; a conventional ventilation (CV) and a laminar air flow (LAF). Both ORs were sampled simultaneously by two different methods, the settle plate and sampler when empty and during use for a defined time period. Laboratory work was done in the Medical Research Institute. The two methods of sampling showed moderate but highly significant correlation. The OR with CV was significantly more contaminated than LAF when empty as well as during use by both methods. Overall, the difference in contamination was more significant when sampled by the sampler. Differences in contamination in empty and in-use ORs were significant in both ORs, but significance is less in LAF rooms. The consistent and significant correlation between settle plate and sampler showed that the settle plate is an acceptable method. The LAF theatre showed less contamination while empty and during use as expected. Air contamination differences were more significant when sampled with sampler indicating that it is a more sensitive method. Both CV and LAF ORs of the NHSL did not meet the contamination standards for empty theatres but met the standards for in-use indicating that the theatre etiquette was acceptable.

Description of Microbiological Air Quality in Operating Room and Health Complaint

Abstract: The hospital is a place with a fairly high degree of contamination. Operating room requires sterile conditions. The objective of this study was to describe microbiological air quality, employee characteristics, and health complaint. This was an observational study with cross sectional approach. Primary data was collected by interviewing, observing, and measuring indoor air quality of operating room. The number of responden taken was 20 employees. Data collected were analyzed descriptively with cross tabulation. The sources of air pollutants come from the anesthesia medicines and disinfectants felt by employees (15.0%). The numbers of colony forming units on the air had exceeded the recommended standards, while the temperature were still within the recommended standards. The complaints experienced by employees were dry skin and itchy skin. The most of employees characteristics were women (55.0%), age ≥ 35 years (55.0%), duration employment > 5 years (70.0%), working hours 7-8 hours (95.0%). The tendency of employees experience dry skin in the operating room 4 and itchy skin in the operating room 1. It is suggested to use long sleeves surgical gown, to make space between the corridor outside, to measure air exchange and maintain positive pressure, to examine health monitoring periodically, and to conduct further research to identify the microorganisms.Keywords: microbiological air quality, health complaint

Improving the Energy and IAQ Performance of Ventilation Systems in Dutch Dwellings

MONICAIR - MONItoring & Control of Air quality in Individual Rooms - is a pre-competitive field research project of a broad consortium of Dutch ventilation unit manufacturers and research institutes, supported by the Dutch government. The first aim of the project is to investigate and compare the indoor air quality (IAQ) performance and energy characteristics during the heating season of ten different mechanical ventilation solutions in dwellings that meet strict air-tightness standards and comply with current building regulations. The second goal is to further improve the ventilation systems on their IAQ-performance while minimizing their energy consumption.Over a full year 62 residential dwellings were monitored with, in each habitable room, sensors for occupancy, CO2, relative humidity and air temperature. Power consumption of the mechanical ventilation units was also continuously monitored. The ventilation solutions included traditional mechanical exhaust ventilation or MEV systems (systems with mechanical exhaust in the wet rooms), state-of-the-art MEV systems (systems with mechanical exhaust in all rooms), as well as local and central balanced systems with heat recovery (MVHR-systems), with various types of controls. Although all systems under investigation comply with building codes, the data show that huge differences occur in both the IAQ and energy performance. CO2 excess dose (above 1200 ppm) may vary per dwelling from 10 to 850 kppmh per person per heating season, resulting in a situation in which respectively 1 to approximately 85% of the time spent at home, the ventilation is not sufficient in the room that one occupies. Real life primary energy consumption varies from 23 MJ/m2 for centralized ventilation systems with heat recovery to 144 MJ/m2 for traditional MEV-systems.

Reliability of the Results from Unplanned Subjective Assessment of the Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Parameters in Small Lecture Room

The results, obtained from paper based subjective assessment, of the indoor environment parameters, are presented in this paper. The assessment was made by untrained and unprepared occupants of small lecture room, during specially organized one hour lecture. Briefly described are the main objectives, as well as the methods used. The collected data was mostly analyzed in terms of the human response to the questionnaire based study. It was analyzed how successive the votes are and how reliable the answers of the questions are. The results show very low response to the unorganized and spontaneous experimental study. The explanation of these results seems to be complex task, which requires further interdisciplinary analyzes. The work is still in progress, and particular results, concerning the collected vote and the entire physical measurements of the indoor environment parameters, will be presented later on.

VapeCons: E-cigarette user conventions.

E-cigarette 'vaping conventions' provide a venue for user social networking, parties, and 'try before you buy' access to a wide range of e-cigarette products. This study identifies and describes vaping conventions, raising awareness of this potentially problematic practice. Conventions were identified via Google searches in April and May 2014 and August 2015. Details captured included location, sponsors, admission cost, event features, and promotions. 41 distinct organizations have planned 90 vaping conventions in 37 different locations since 2010. Conventions promoted access to a wide range of product vendors, seminars, social interactions with other users, parties, gifts, vaping contests, and other events. E-cigarette use at conventions was encouraged. Vaping conventions promote e-cigarette use and social norms without public health having a voice to educate attendees about negative consequences of use. Future research should focus on the effects of attending these conventions on attendees and on indoor air quality in vapor-filled convention rooms.

Breath of Fresh Air: An Observational Study of Factors That Compromise Operating Room Air Quality

Breath of Fresh Air: An Observational Study of Factors That Compromise Operating Room Air Quality

A toxicological investigation of the air quality in a moxibustion treatment room as measured through particulate concentration and oxidative capacity

Background: Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy in which mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) floss is burned to warm and stimulate acupoints. The modality has been used traditionally for thousands of years. However, smoke-related safety issues have recently been of concern, and little is known about moxa smoke and air quality in the clinical moxibustion environment. Objective: To assess the air quality in a typical moxibustion treatment room using particulate matter (PM) concentration and DNA oxidative damage at PM10. Methods: The study was conducted in August and November to December, 2011, at a TCM clinic in Beijing, China, in a moxibustion treatment room. A moxa-free treatment room and the outdoor area adjacent to the clinic were used as controls. PM10 concentrations were monitored with a portable digital dust indicator. The oxidative capacity of whole and water-soluble fractions of PM10 were detected using plasmid DNA assay. The results were shown as TD40 values; that is, the amount of PM10 that causes plasmid DNA damage of 40%. Results: Average PM10 concentrations in the moxibustion room were 2.56 mg m−3 in summer and 2.78 mg m−3 in winter, much higher than at control sites. For whole and water-soluble fractional PM10, the average summer TD40 values collected in the moxibustion room were 791.67 μg ml−1 and 876.33 μg ml−1 respectively, and the winter values were 779.86 μg ml−1 and 879.57 μg ml−1. These results of winter samples were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the corresponding results from control sites. However, there was no statistical difference (p = 0.06) between the TD40 values of both the whole and water−soluble fractional PM10 from the moxibustion treatment room, while differences were significant in the general treatment room (p = 0.025) and at the outdoor site (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows that moxa smoke increases PM10 concentration. However, the oxidative capacity of PM10 in the moxibustion room was much lower than that at control sites with the same particulate burden, and the bioactivity at that site was mainly from the watersoluble fraction, another difference from the controls. This unexpected bioactivity is assumed to relate to the low toxicity of moxa smoke or to its proven antioxidant activity. Overall, further research is needed.

Measurement and Evaluation to the Library Reading Room Pollutants

The Library Reading Room is a special public place, studies of air quality in Library Reading Rooms should be the emphases of the field about air quality research. During the study of the air quality about Library Reading Room in one college, we use appliance to collect the objective data, including room temperature, wind speed, concentrations of carbon dioxide, PM2.5 and PM10. We conduct a survey questionnaire about students of some symptoms such as restlessness, depression, tinnitus, Tired Eyes, tiredness, dry skin. Also the time spend in library, the dress, Height, weight and so on. Analysis helped prove that human feelings of the condition they stayed in was related to both their physiological factors and psychological factors, the ability of human perceive the environment temperature and humidity is relatively high, but imperceptible to the changes of the aerosol concentration in room.

A Study on HT32F1765 MCU-Based in Smart Home Gas Monitoring

With the rapid development of today's society, air pollution is becoming one of the hottest topics of humans’ concern. Looking at the daily life, some peoples’ awareness in the dangers of indoor air pollution and household gas safety is not enough, so it may lead to a number of respiratory diseases, or "sub-health" conditions. (Such as influenza, pharyngitis and other diseases) On the other hand, some families, because of a gas leak, has not been timely warning of fires and caused the tragedy. To solve these problems, this work is designed based on low-power microcontroller as the master chip HT32F1765 100LQFP between the various smart sensors and did data exchange with the home environment monitoring system. The HT chip use as the master chip and combined with using Sharp PM2.5 gas sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, gas concentration sensor as gas sensing devices. We use all these sensors as information collection module, to collect the data information of air quality, temperature, humidity and combustible gas concentration in different rooms and different locations. The real-time data acquisition and sensor would be displayed on the touch screen. In addition, the creation of data monitoring hardware devices, as well as match the mobile phone in APP. Our users can log on the APP remotely to view home monitoring information, or to receive alarm information.. Thus, adults can safely work outside, avoiding unnecessary worry.

Teachers' Voice Use in Teaching Environments: A Field Study Using Ambulatory Phonation Monitor

This case-control designed field study examines the vocal behavior in teachers with self-estimated voice problems (VP) and their age- and school-matched voice healthy (VH) colleagues. It was hypothesized that teachers with and teachers without VP use their voices differently regarding fundamental frequency, sound pressure level (SPL), and in relation to the background noise. Teachers with self-estimated VP (n=14; two males and 12 females) were age and gender matched to VH school colleagues (n=14; two males and 12 females). The subjects, recruited from an earlier study, had been examined in laryngeal, vocal, hearing, and psychosocial aspects. The fundamental frequency, SPL, and phonation time were recorded with an Ambulatory Phonation Monitor during one representative workday. The teachers reported their activities in a structured diary. The SPL (including teachers' and students' activity and ambient noise) was recorded with a sound level meter; the room temperature and air quality were measured simultaneously. The acoustic properties of the empty classrooms were measured. Teachers with VP behaved vocally different from their VH peers, in particular during teaching sessions. The phonation time was significantly higher in the group with VP, and the number of vibratory cycles differed between the female teachers. The F0 pattern, related to the vocal SPL and room acoustics, differed between the groups. The results suggest a different vocal behavior in subjects with subjective VP and a higher vocal load with fewer possibilities for vocal recovery.

`The air that we breathe¿: assessment of laser and electrosurgical dissection devices on operating theater air quality

To measure changes in air quality during surgery. Operating room (OR) and hallway air quality was continuously monitored over a 3-month period. Rooftop monitoring was used to control for environmental changes and to account for the infiltration of outdoor air pollutants. Air quality measurements were correlated with operative times and electro-dissection equipment used. OR air is cooler and drier compared to the adjacent hallway. Volatile organic compounds and other gases are below indoor air exposure limit guidelines. Lasers create greater 2.5 μm particulate matter (PM2.5) mass concentration, and greater fine and coarse particle number than cautery or cold tissue dissection. Cautery produces more ultrafine particles (UFP) than other dissection techniques. OR air has lower particle counts than outdoor environmental air by virtue of air conditioning HEPA filtration. Compared to the outside air, operating room air has lower particle counts. Lasers produce higher concentrations of PM2.5 mass and, fine and coarse particle number counts. Cautery produces higher concentrations of UFP number counts than other modalities and warrants consideration of the use of masks with ultrafine particle filtration capacity. Operating room air is consistently cooler with decreased humidity, which may cause airway irritation.

‘The air that we breathe’: Assessment of laser and electrosurgical dissection devices on operating theater air quality

ObjectivesTo measure changes in air quality during surgery.MethodsOperating room (OR) and hallway air quality was continuously monitored over a 3-month period. Rooftop monitoring was used to control for environmental changes and to account for the infiltration of outdoor air pollutants. Air quality measurements were correlated with operative times and electro-dissection equipment used.ResultsOR air is cooler and drier compared to the adjacent hallway. Volatile organic compounds and other gases are below indoor air exposure limit guidelines. Lasers create greater 2.5 μm particulate matter (PM2.5) mass concentration, and greater fine and coarse particle number than cautery or cold tissue dissection. Cautery produces more ultrafine particles (UFP) than other dissection techniques. OR air has lower particle counts than outdoor environmental air by virtue of air conditioning HEPA filtration.ConclusionCompared to the outside air, operating room air has lower particle counts. Lasers produce higher concentrations of PM2.5 mass and, fine and coarse particle number counts. Cautery produces higher concentrations of UFP number counts than other modalities and warrants consideration of the use of masks with ultrafine particle filtration capacity. Operating room air is consistently cooler with decreased humidity, which may cause airway irritation.

Fungal air quality in hospital rooms: a case study in Tehran, Iran

Fungi are usually presented in indoor environments and cause of many diseases. The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate the level of fungal contamination in hospital rooms. Sampling was conducted with an Andersen one-stage viable impactor (Quick Take-30) and counting plates containing a fungus-selective medium. A total of 120 air samples from ten hospital environments were performed. Airborne fungi concentrations were determined 72-120 hours after sampling. Total mean concentration of detected fungi in the hospital rooms was 55 ± 56 (mean ± SD) cfu/m3. The findings of the fungal concentration in the various hospital rooms revealed different levels of contamination: the lowest mean counts (37 ± 17 cfu/m3) were observed in NS 1 (Nursing Stations 1), and the highest (97 ± 217 cfu/m3) were reported in Orthopedics Operating Room (OOR). The most common fungal genus isolated were Penicillium (70%), Aspergillus (14%), Cladosporium (12%), Alternaria (2%) and others (2%). The obtained results showed that fungal concentrations in the present study were nearly high and these conditions should be considered as a risk factor for patients and other persons in the hospital.

Air Quality Monitoring of the Post-Operative Recovery Room and Locations Surrounding Operating Theaters in a Medical Center in Taiwan

To prevent surgical site infection (SSI), the airborne microbial concentration in operating theaters must be reduced. The air quality in operating theaters and nearby areas is also important to healthcare workers. Therefore, this study assessed air quality in the post-operative recovery room, locations surrounding the operating theater area, and operating theaters in a medical center. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), and carbon dioxide (CO2), suspended particulate matter (PM), and bacterial concentrations were monitored weekly over one year. Measurement results reveal clear differences in air quality in different operating theater areas. The post-operative recovery room had significantly higher CO2 and bacterial concentrations than other locations. Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. bacteria often existed in the operating theater area. Furthermore, Acinetobacter spp. was the main pathogen in the post-operative recovery room (18%) and traumatic surgery room (8%). The mixed effect models reveal a strong correlation between number of people in a space and high CO2 concentration after adjusting for sampling locations. In conclusion, air quality in the post-operative recovery room and operating theaters warrants attention, and merits long-term surveillance to protect both surgical patients and healthcare workers.