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Alves M, Asbell P, Dogru M, Giannaccare G, Grau A, Gregory D, Kim DH, Marini MC, Ngo W, Nowinska A, Saldanha IJ, Villani E, Wakamatsu TH, Yu M, Stapleton F. TFOS Lifestyle Report: Impact of environmental conditions on the ocular surface. Ocul Surf 2023; 29:1-52. [PMID: 37062427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Environmental risk factors that have an impact on the ocular surface were reviewed and associations with age and sex, race/ethnicity, geographical area, seasonality, prevalence and possible interactions between risk factors are reviewed. Environmental factors can be (a) climate-related: temperature, humidity, wind speed, altitude, dew point, ultraviolet light, and allergen or (b) outdoor and indoor pollution: gases, particulate matter, and other sources of airborne pollutants. Temperature affects ocular surface homeostasis directly and indirectly, precipitating ocular surface diseases and/or symptoms, including trachoma. Humidity is negatively associated with dry eye disease. There is little data on wind speed and dewpoint. High altitude and ultraviolet light exposure are associated with pterygium, ocular surface degenerations and neoplastic disease. Pollution is associated with dry eye disease and conjunctivitis. Primary Sjögren syndrome is associated with exposure to chemical solvents. Living within a potential zone of active volcanic eruption is associated with eye irritation. Indoor pollution, "sick" building or house can also be associated with eye irritation. Most ocular surface conditions are multifactorial, and several environmental factors may contribute to specific diseases. A systematic review was conducted to answer the following research question: "What are the associations between outdoor environment pollution and signs or symptoms of dry eye disease in humans?" Dry eye disease is associated with air pollution (from NO2) and soil pollution (from chromium), but not from air pollution from CO or PM10. Future research should adequately account for confounders, follow up over time, and report results separately for ocular surface findings, including signs and symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Alves
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, University of Campinas Campinas, Brazil.
| | - Penny Asbell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Memphis, Memphis, USA
| | - Murat Dogru
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Giannaccare
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Cantanzaro, Italy
| | - Arturo Grau
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Darren Gregory
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, USA
| | - Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - William Ngo
- School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Anna Nowinska
- Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Ian J Saldanha
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Edoardo Villani
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Eye Clinic, San Giuseppe Hospital, IRCCS Multimedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Tais Hitomi Wakamatsu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo Hospital, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mitasha Yu
- Sensory Functions, Disability and Rehabilitation Unit, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Almatawah QA, Al-Rashidi MS, Yassin MF, Varghese JS. Microbiological contamination of indoor and outdoor environments in a desert climate. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:355. [PMID: 35403921 PMCID: PMC8995910 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10032-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbiological air contamination in the desert environment is becoming an essential subject for the health of office building occupants and public health. In this study, the concentrations and compositions of airborne microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) were assessed in indoor and outdoor environments using a multistory building complex in Kuwait as a case study. Airborne microorganism samples were collected from 12 sites within the building complex containing nineteen stories over four seasons. Culturable airborne bacteria and fungi were impacted on selected media to determine their concentrations and compositions with a Biolog Omnilog GEN III system and Biolog MicroStation. The indoor mean airborne bacterial count concentrations ranged from 35 to 18,463 CFU/m3, concentrations that are higher than 2,000 CFU/m3, demonstrating high-very high contamination levels in all seasons. Fungal contamination was high in winter and summer, with detected concentrations > 2,000 CFU/m3. Indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios showed that airborne microbial contamination inside building floors originated from indoor air contamination. All the building floors showed bacterial and fungal concentrations ranging from less than 2,000 to more than 2,000 CFU/m3, indicative of a high to very high air contamination level. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between bacterial and fungal concentrations, demonstrating that they originated from unrelated sources. In the indoor building air, the most prevalent bacterial isolate was Bacillus pseudomycoides/cereus, whereas the most dominant fungal isolate was Aspergillus spp. The low count for indoor air bacterial species suggested no particular health risk for the occupants. In contrast, the high count of indoor air fungal species in the winter samples and the presence of potentially allergenic genera detected may suggest possible health risks for the occupants. The results obtained are the basis for the recommendation that the maintenance activities of the HVAC system and the periodical cleaning operation program be revised and preplanned as protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qadreyah A Almatawah
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P. O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait.
| | - Mufaerh S Al-Rashidi
- Safety & Work Environment Department (QHSWED), Quality, Health, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P. O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Mohamed F Yassin
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P. O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Julie S Varghese
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P. O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
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Saini J, Dutta M, Marques G. Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Systems Based on Internet of Things: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17144942. [PMID: 32659931 DOI: 10.1186/s42834-020-0047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air quality has been a matter of concern for the international scientific community. Public health experts, environmental governances, and industry experts are working to improve the overall health, comfort, and well-being of building occupants. Repeated exposure to pollutants in indoor environments is reported as one of the potential causes of several chronic health problems such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory infections. Moreover, smart cities projects are promoting the use of real-time monitoring systems to detect unfavorable scenarios for enhanced living environments. The main objective of this work is to present a systematic review of the current state of the art on indoor air quality monitoring systems based on the Internet of Things. The document highlights design aspects for monitoring systems, including sensor types, microcontrollers, architecture, and connectivity along with implementation issues of the studies published in the previous five years (2015-2020). The main contribution of this paper is to present the synthesis of existing research, knowledge gaps, associated challenges, and future recommendations. The results show that 70%, 65%, and 27.5% of studies focused on monitoring thermal comfort parameters, CO2, and PM levels, respectively. Additionally, there are 37.5% and 35% of systems based on Arduino and Raspberry Pi controllers. Only 22.5% of studies followed the calibration approach before system implementation, and 72.5% of systems claim energy efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagriti Saini
- National Institute of Technical Teacher's Training and Research, Chandigarh 160019, India
| | - Maitreyee Dutta
- National Institute of Technical Teacher's Training and Research, Chandigarh 160019, India
| | - Gonçalo Marques
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-001 Covilhã, Portugal
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Ubaid Ali M, Liu G, Yousaf B, Ullah H, Irshad S, Ahmed R, Hussain M, Rashid A. Evaluation of floor-wise pollution status and deposition behavior of potentially toxic elements and nanoparticles in air conditioner dust during urbanistic development. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 365:186-195. [PMID: 30439618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The study was undertaken to investigate deposition behaviors of various size-segregated particles and indoor air quality using dust accumulated on the air conditioner filter acting as a sink for PTEs and nanoparticles that can pose a significant health risk. However, the particulate matter size and chemical composition in AC dust and its relationship with PTEs remains uncertain. Current study aims to investigate the PTEs and nanoparticles composition of AC dust using different analytical approaches including ICP-MS, XRD, XPS, SEM/TEM along with EDS and Laser Diffraction particle size analyzer. The mean concentration of PTEs like Al, As, Cd, Cu, Li, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Ti, V and Zn exceeded the corresponding background value. Pb, As, Sn, Sb, Cd were categorizing under geo-accumulation index class IV. Most of the particles were found to be > 100 μm and it decreased significantly with increase in floor altitude. A significantly negative correlation was found between particles size and PTEs concentration showing a significant increase in PTEs content with decrease in particles size. The XPS results showed dominant peaks for TiO2, Ti-O-N, As2O3, Fe+3, Fe+2, Al-OH and Al203. Additionally, As, Pb, Si and Fe were dominant metallic nanoparticles identified using SEM/TEM along with EDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ubaid Ali
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, China.
| | - Guijian Liu
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, China.
| | - Balal Yousaf
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, China.
| | - Habib Ullah
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Samina Irshad
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Rafay Ahmed
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Mudassar Hussain
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Audil Rashid
- EcoHealth Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Air-Conditioning Systems in Hospitals, Farms, and Residences. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16050683. [PMID: 30813565 PMCID: PMC6427721 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16050683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput quantitative PCR combined with Illumina sequencing and network analysis were used to characterize the antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) profiles in air-conditioning filters from different environments. In total, 177 ARGs comprising 10 ARG types were determined. The detectable numbers and the relative abundance of ARGs in hospitals and farms were significantly higher than those in city and village residences. Compared to hospitals, farms had a higher level of tetracycline, multidrug, integrase, and macrolide⁻lincosamide⁻streptogramin (MLS) B resistance genes but a lower level of beta-lactam resistance genes. The bl3_cpha gene was the most abundant resistance gene subtype in hospital samples with an abundance of 2.01 × 10-4 copies/16S rRNA, while a level of only 5.08 × 10-12 copies/16S rRNA was observed in farm samples. There was no significant difference in bacterial diversity among the hospitals, farms, and residences, and Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum. Network analysis revealed that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were possible hosts of the beta-lactam, MLSB, aminoglycoside, multidrug, sulfonamide, and tetracycline resistance genes. The results demonstrate that ARGs exist in indoor environments and that farms and hospitals are important sources. This study provides a useful reference for understanding the distribution patterns and risk management of ARGs in indoor environments.
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Abstract
Sick building syndrome (SBS) and building-related illnesses are omnipresent in modern high-rise buildings. The SBS is a complex spectrum of ill health symptoms, such as mucous membrane irritation, asthma, neurotoxic effects, gastrointestinal disturbance, skin dryness, sensitivity to odours that may appear among occupants in office and public buildings, schools and hospitals. Studies on large office buildings from USA, UK, Sweden, Finland, Japan, Germany, Canada, China, India, Netherlands, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand, substantiate the occurrence of SBS phenomena. The accumulated effects of a multitude of factors, such as the indoor environmental quality, building characteristics, building dampness, and activities of occupants attribute to SBS. A building occupant manifests at least one symptom of SBS, the onset of two or more symptoms at least twice, and rapid resolution of symptoms following moving away from the workstation or building may be defined as having SBS. Based on the peer-reviewed documentation, this chapter elaborates the magnitude of building-related health consequences due to measurable environmental causations, and the size of the population affected. The mechanisms and causative factors of SBS and illnesses include, for example, the oxidative stress resulting from indoor pollutants, VOCs, office work-related stressors, humidification, odours associated with moisture and bioaerosol exposure. Related regulatory standards and strategies for management of SBS and other illnesses are elaborated.
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Fekadu S, Getachewu B. Microbiological Assessment of Indoor Air of Teaching Hospital Wards: A case of Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Ethiop J Health Sci 2016; 25:117-22. [PMID: 26124618 PMCID: PMC4478262 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v25i2.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital environment represents a congenial situation where microorganisms and susceptible patients are indoors together. Thus, the objective of this study is to provide fundamental data related to the microbial quality of indoor air of Jimma University Specialized Hospital wards, to estimate the health hazard and to create standards for indoor air quality control. METHODS The microbial quality of indoor air of seven wards of Jimma University Specialized Hospital was determined. Passive air sampling technique, using open Petri-dishes containing different culture media, was employed to collect sample twice daily. RESULTS The concentrations of bacteria and fungi aerosols in the indoor environment of the wards ranged between 2123 - 9733 CFU/m(3). The statistical analysis showed that the concentrations of bacteria that were measured in all studied wards were significantly different from each other (p-value=0.017), whereas the concentrations of fungi that were measured in all sampled wards were not significantly different from each other (p-value=0.850). Moreover, the concentrations of bacteria that were measured at different sampling time (morning and afternoon) were significantly different (p-value =0.001). CONCLUSION All wards that were included in the study were heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi. Thus, immediate interventions are needed to control those environmental factors which favor the growth and multiplication of microbes, and it is vital to control visitors and students in and out the wards. Moreover, it is advisable that strict measures be put in place to check the increasing microbial load in the hospital environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Fekadu
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Technology, College of Public Health and Medical Science, Jimma University, Ethiopia
| | - Bahilu Getachewu
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Technology, College of Public Health and Medical Science, Jimma University, Ethiopia
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Anselmo-Lima WT, Sakano E, Tamashiro E, Nunes AAA, Fernandes AM, Pereira EA, Ortiz É, Pinna FDR, Romano FR, Padua FGDM, Mello Junior JF, Teles Junior J, Dolci JEL, Balsalobre Filho LL, Kosugi EM, Sampaio MH, Nakanishi M, Santos MCJD, Andrade NAD, Mion ODG, Piltcher OB, Fujita RR, Roithmann R, Voegels RL, Guimarães RES, Meirelles RC, Paula Santos R, Nakajima V, Valera FCP, Pignatari SSN. Rhinosinusitis: evidence and experience: October 18 and 19, 2013 - São Paulo. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2015; 81:S1-S49. [PMID: 25697512 PMCID: PMC10157818 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wilma T Anselmo-Lima
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eulália Sakano
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Edwin Tamashiro
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Érica Ortiz
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio de Rezende Pinna
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabrizio Ricci Romano
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - João Teles Junior
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Olavo de Godoy Mion
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Renato Roithmann
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Richard Louis Voegels
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Campos Meirelles
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Victor Nakajima
- Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Hayleeyesus SF, Manaye AM. Microbiological quality of indoor air in university libraries. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2014; 4:S312-7. [PMID: 25183103 DOI: 10.12980/apjtb.4.2014c807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the concentration of bacteria and fungi in the indoor environment of Jimma University libraries, so as to estimate the health hazard and to create standards for indoor air quality control. METHODS The microbial quality of indoor air of eight libraries of Jimma University was determined. The settle plate method using open Petri-dishes containing different culture media was employed to collect sample twice daily. Isolates were identified according to standard methods. RESULTS The concentrations of bacteria and fungi aerosols in the indoor environment of the university libraries ranged between 367-2595 CFU/m(3). According to the sanitary standards classification of European Commission, almost all the libraries indoor air of Jimma University was heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi. In spite of their major source difference, the average fungi density found in the indoor air of libraries did appear to follow the same trend with bacterial density (P=0.001). The bacteria isolates included Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus sp. and Neisseria sp. while Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. were the most isolated fungi. CONCLUSIONS The indoor air of all libraries were in the range above highly contaminated according to European Commission classification and the most isolates are considered as potential candidates involved in the establishment of sick building syndromes and often associated with clinical manifestations like allergy, rhinitis, asthma and conjunctivitis. Thus, attention must be given to control those environmental factors which favor the growth and multiplication of microbes in indoor environment of libraries to safeguard the health of users and workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Fekadu Hayleeyesus
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Technology, College of Public Health and Medical Science, Jimma University, Ethiopia
| | - Abayneh Melaku Manaye
- Department of Environmental Health Science and Technology, College of Public Health and Medical Science, Jimma University, Ethiopia
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Wu MJ, Feng YS, Sung WP, Surampalli RY. Quantification and analysis of airborne bacterial characteristics in a nursing care institution. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2011; 61:732-739. [PMID: 21850827 DOI: 10.3155/1047-3289.61.7.732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air quality has become a critical issue because people spend most of their time in the indoor environment. The factors that influence indoor air quality are very important to environmental sanitation and air quality improvement. This study focuses on monitoring air quality, colony counts, and bacteria species of the indoor air of a nursing care institution. The regular colony counts in two different wards range from 55 to 600 cfu m(-3) Regression analysis results indicate that the bacterial colony counts have close correlation with relative humidity or carbon dioxide (CO2) but not with carbon monoxide (CO) or ozone (O3). Real-time PCR was used to quantify the bacterial pathogens of nosocomial infection, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The most abundant bacteria species in the air of the nursing care institution is E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Ju Wu
- Department of Medicine, Taichung Veteran General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Wu J, Liu ZG, Ran PX, Wang B. Influence of environmental characteristics and climatic factors on mites in the dust of air-conditioner filters. INDOOR AIR 2009; 19:474-481. [PMID: 19840146 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2009.00611.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED To investigate mites in the dust of air-conditioner filters (MACF) in China, a total of 652 dust samples were collected from six cities: Guangzhou (n = 129), Nanchang (n = 127), Shanghai (n = 113), Xian (n = 93), Beijing (n = 93), and Shenyang (n = 79). Tarsonemus granarius was the most dominant species (87.2%). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae only represented 7.0 and 3.0% of total mites, respectively. With latitude increasing, both mite occurrence rate (P < 0.001) and density (mites/g dust) (P < 0.001) were significantly decreasing. Multivariate regression analysis suggested that the annual average temperature and minimum temperature in different cities had dominant influences on MACF density. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of MACF was positively associated with air-conditioner age, utilization time and power. Wall and window type air-conditioner had higher risk of finding MACF than the floor type air-conditioner. As far as the cleaning interval time of ACF was concerned, higher risk ratio and the highest density of MACF were found in the time stage of >3, < or =12 months. It was also suggested that house type could influence the presence of MACF. A negative association between the house floor and the MACF prevalence was found as well. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Mites present in the dust of air-conditioner filters are potential indoor threat to asthma and allergy sufferers. In this study, we find that the storage mite Tarsonemus granarius is the predominant species of mites in the dust of air-conditioner filters (MACF). Thus, the possible clinical importance of T. granarius should cause more our attentions in the future. The abundance and distribution of MACF are also found significantly varied in different climatic regions of China. When we try to assess the possible risk of MACF, more attentions should be focused on subtropical region than temperate region. The influence analysis of environmental characteristics on the prevalence of MACF will shed light on the establishment of mite control strategy and the design of mite defense air-conditioner.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wu
- The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical College, China
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Rios JLDM, Boechat JL, Gioda A, dos Santos CY, de Aquino Neto FR, Lapa e Silva JR. Symptoms prevalence among office workers of a sealed versus a non-sealed building: associations to indoor air quality. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2009; 35:1136-1141. [PMID: 19665795 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2009.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2008] [Revised: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 07/10/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES An increasing number of complaints related to time spent in artificially ventilated buildings have been progressively reported and attributed, at least in part, to physical and chemical exposures in the office environment. The objective of this research was to investigate the association between the prevalence of work-related symptoms and the indoor air quality, comparing a sealed office building with a naturally ventilated one, considering, specially, the indoor concentration of TPM, TVOCs and the main individual VOCs. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed to compare the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms among 1736 office workers of a sealed office building and 950 of a non-sealed one, both in Rio de Janeiro's downtown. The prevalence of symptoms was obtained by a SBS standardized questionnaire. The IAQ of the buildings was evaluated through specific methods, to determine the temperature, humidity, particulate matter and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations. RESULTS Upper airways and ophthalmic symptoms, tiredness and headache were highly prevalent in both buildings. Some symptoms were more prevalent in the sealed building: "eye dryness" 33.3% and 27.1% (p: 0.01); "runny nose" 37.3% and 31.3% (p: 0.03); "dry throat" 42% and 36% (p: 0.02); and "lethargy" 58.5% and 50.5% (p: 0.03) respectively. However, relative humidity and indoor total particulate matter (TPM) concentration as well as total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) were paradoxically greater in the non-sealed building, in which aromatic compounds had higher concentration, especially benzene. The analysis between measured exposure levels and resulting symptoms showed no association among its prevalence and TPM, TVOCs, benzene or toluene concentration in none of the buildings. CONCLUSIONS Other disregarded factors, like undetected VOCs, mites, molds and endotoxin concentrations, may be associated to the greater prevalence of symptoms in the sealed building.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luiz de Magalhães Rios
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Institute of Thoracic Diseases.
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Sahakian N, Park JH, Cox-Ganser J. Respiratory morbidity and medical visits associated with dampness and air-conditioning in offices and homes. INDOOR AIR 2009; 19:58-67. [PMID: 19076249 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00561.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED We used data from 4345 adult US residents who were part of a 2004 national random mail survey to investigate associations between dampness and air-conditioning (AC) in homes and offices, and health outcomes, sick leave due to respiratory symptoms and medical visits during the past 12 months. We identified from this group 1396 office workers employed in professional, executive, administrative, managerial or administrative support occupations. Office workers reporting home dampness had an elevated prevalence of nasal symptoms [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.4, P = 0.01] and constitutional symptoms (PR = 1.3, P = 0.01) in the previous year. Office workers reporting workplace dampness had an elevated prevalence of sick leave attributed to respiratory symptoms (PR = 1.3, P = 0.04) in the previous year. Office workers with home AC were more likely to have visited a medical specialist in the previous year (PR = 1.3, P = 0.02). We did not find any statistically significant associations between workplace AC and any of the health outcomes. We estimated an annual cost of US$1.4 billion for excess respiratory-related sick leave among office workers with workplace dampness. Our study strengthens the evidence of a relationship between dampness and health effects, and highlights the resulting economic impact. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This study adds to the literature on respiratory morbidity associated with home and office exposures to mold and dampness. Public health response to lessen these exposures will improve the health and well-being of residents and workers as well as diminish the economic burden of lost work time and medical costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Sahakian
- Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.
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Graudenz GS, Oliveira CH, Tribess A, Landgraf RG, Jancar IS, Kalil J. Sudden temperature changes and respiratory symptoms--an experimental approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 21:383-7. [PMID: 17621828 DOI: 10.2500/ajr.2007.21.3023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to air-conditioning systems and allergic phenotypes are consistent risk factors to develop indoor air quality (IAQ) respiratory complaints. The aim of this study was to compare the role of allergic rhinitis on respiratory complaints in individuals exposed to sudden temperature changes. METHODS To address this question, a case-control challenge study was performed in a laboratory of thermal comfort evaluation with twin isolated chambers set at 14 degrees C/57.2 degrees F (cold) and 26 degrees C/78.8 degrees F (hot) temperatures. A groups of 32 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (rhinitis group) and 16 control subjects (control group) were exposed for 30 minutes, three times alternately in the chambers. Symptoms were reported using an analog visual scale and nasal and pulmonary peak flow measurements were taken during baseline at hot and cold temperatures and after the challenge. RESULTS The rhinitis group reported increased itching and stinging eyes when compared with the baseline during exposure to hot and cold temperatures and they also reported increased breathlessness during hot air exposure. In addition, there was a significant decrease in expiratory flow rates in this group during exposure to hot and cold temperatures that persisted for 24 hours after challenge. CONCLUSION This study suggests that individuals with allergic rhinitis have a lower threshold than controls to develop respiratory and ocular symptoms after air-conditioning-induced sudden temperature changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Silveira Graudenz
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Millennium Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo- SP, Brazil.
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