Kanlaya Janprasert. Correlation between microbiological indoor air quality and air conditioning systems in hospital buildings. Master's Degree(Environmental Planning for Community and Rural Development). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2009-07-09.
Correlation between microbiological indoor air quality and air conditioning systems in hospital buildings
Abstract:
This research aimed to study the correlation between microbiological indoor air quality, air conditioning systems and health problems in medical staff who work in a public hospital. Air samples were collected for analysis of the number of bacteria and fungi in 5 units that use 4 different air conditioning systems, namely air conditioner with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, air conditioner with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), air conditioner with air purifier and air conditioner only. The assessment of microbiological indoor air quality were conducted by the collection of 38 air samples with the use of liquid impingement technique. Additionally, the
questionnaires related to finding health problems of medical staff in hospital were performed. Data were collected from March 2005 to April 2005. The results revealed that the microbiological air quality assessment in studied units was correlated with air conditioning systems (and health problems of medical staff). The unit used HEPA filter to purify the air which did not have bacterial and fungal contamination. Meanwhile, only one sampling site in the unit that used UVGI for air disinfection before air re circulation was found to have a higher number of bacteria (2,000 CFU/m3) than the Standard of American Conferences of Government Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH). In contrast, the number of fungi met the standard of ACGIH. In addition, the high number of bacteria (7,225 CFU/m3) was found in the unit where the equipment for air disinfection did not use. In contrast, the number of fungi (50 CFU/m3) did no exceed the Standard of ACGIH at the same unit area ( P<0.01). From the result, it could be summarized that the correlation between microbiological indoor air quality and air conditioning systems was statistically significant at P<0.01. The study of the correlation between microbiological indoor air quality and health problems of medical staff revealed that some health problems were significantly correlated with microbiological air quality at P<0.05. The number of bacteria was correlated with dry throat as well as the number of fungi correlated with chest pain, breathing problems, dizziness and wheezing.