3 research outputs found

    Indoor air quality-induced respiratory symptoms of a hospital staff in Iran

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    The ambient air of hospitals contains a wide range of biological and chemical pollutants. Exposure to these indoor pollutants can be hazardous to the health of hospital staff. This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting indoor air quality and their effect on the respiratory health of staff members in a busy Iranian hospital. We surveyed 226 hospital staff as a case group and 222 office staff as a control group. All the subjects were asked to fill in a standard respiratory questionnaire. Pulmonary function parameters were simultaneously measured via a spirometry test. Environmental measurements of bio-aerosols, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds in the hospital and offices were conducted. T-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. The concentration of selected air pollutants measured in the hospital wards was more than those in the administrative wards. Parameters of pulmonary functions were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) between the two groups. However, respiratory symptoms such as coughs, phlegm, phlegmatic coughs, and wheezing were more prevalent among the hospital staff. Laboratory staff members were more at risk of respiratory symptoms compared to other occupational groups in the hospital. The prevalence of sputum among nurses was significant, and the odds ratio for the presence of phlegm among nurses was 4.61 times greater than office staff (p = 0.002). The accumulation of indoor pollutants in the hospital environment revealed the failure of hospital ventilation systems. Hence, the design and implementation of an improved ventilation system in the studied hospital is recommended

    Alterations in health examination items and skin symptoms from exposure to ultra-low humidity

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    [[abstract]]Objectives Several lines of evidence have shown that insufficient humidity could result in health problems but no studies have been performed in ultra-low humidity (ULH) environments. The aims of this study are to investigate the health examination items alterations and skin symptoms of workers exposed to ULH environment based on a longitudinal study design. Methods Twelve male ULH (RH = 1.5%) workers and 12 age–sex-matched reference workers were selected. The examination items in blood and urine as well as the skin problems were compared between ULH workers and controls, and between ULH workers in 2000 and 2003. Biochemistry analysis of blood and urine were implemented from annual health examinations. Information on skin symptoms and diseases were obtained from a structured questionnaire in 2000 and 2003. Results The alterations in mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and total cholesterol in blood analysis and only sediment-WBC in urine analysis were found significantly different in 2000. These changes were almost fully recovered in 2003 although a consistently significant elevation in the urine specific gravity was found during the 3-year follow-up period. Skin disorders, however, showed an earlier elevated itching symptom in lower limb and pretibial that developed to physician-diagnosed contact dermatitis. Conclusions Long-term ULH exposure could cause progressive pathological changes in the skin and urine concentration elevation. Because low humidity condition occurs frequently in air-conditioned buildings, the findings of this study suggest the population long-term exposed to low humidity should be cautious about health manifestations living in a low humidity environment. While the indoor environment is equipped with an air-conditioner, continuous monitoring on the humidity is recommended
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