Assessment of indoor air pollution exposure in urban hospital microenvironments

Hospitals are microenvironments containing populations with potentially enhanced sensitivity to air pollution. The objectives of this study were to characterize the concentration of indoor and outdoor size-fractionated particulate matter (PM) at two urban hospital sites in Kashan, Iran, and to evaluate the relationship between indoor and outdoor PM levels. PM 1.0 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 concentrations were measured over a 3-month period outside each hospital with parallel sampling at four indoor locations in patient wards. The results indicated that mean indoor concentrations at the sampling sites (PM 1.0 = 17.8 μg/m 3 , PM 2.5 = 45.5 μg/m 3 , and PM 10 = 162.7 μg/m 3 ) were found to be lower than outdoors levels (PM 1.0 = 20.6 μg/m 3 , PM 2.5 = 62.1 μg/m 3 , and PM 10 = 300.6 μg/m 3 ). Outdoor and indoor PM mass concentrations were associated with PM 1.0 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10.0 . Ambient wind speed also influenced the indoor/outdoor relationship for PM 1.0 and PM 2.5 but not for PM 10 . The average I/O ratios for PM 2.5 in the intensive care unit (ICU) and children�s ward at Shahid Beheshti Hospital were close to or above 1.00. Indoor PM 1.0 and PM 2.5 concentrations were found to be positively associated with outdoor PM 1.0 and PM 2.5 concentrations, but no relationship was observed with PM 10 . The present findings may inform policymakers in implementing evidence-based efforts for the aim of improving the indoor air quality in closed and confined spaces. © 2018, Springer Nature B.V

The state of indoor air quality in Pakistan—a review

Background and purpose: In Pakistan, almost 70% of the population lives in rural areas. Ninety-four percent of households in rural areas and 58% in urban areas depend on biomass fuels (wood, dung, and agricultural waste). These solid fuels have poor combustion efficiency. Due to incomplete combustion of the biomass fuels, the resulting smoke contains a range of health-deteriorating substances that, at varying concentrations, can pose a serious threat to human health. Indoor air pollution accounts for 28,000 deaths a year and 40 million cases of acute respiratory illness. It places a significant economic burden on Pakistan with an annual cost of 1% of GDP. Despite the mounting evidence of an association between indoor air pollution and ill health, policy makers have paid little attention to it. This review analyzes the existing information on levels of indoor air pollution in Pakistan and suggests suitable intervention methods. Methods: This review is focused on studies of indoor air pollution, due to biomass fuels, in Pakistan published in both scientific journals and by the Government and international organizations. In addition, the importance of environmental tobacco smoke as an indoor pollutant is highlighted. Results: Unlike many other developing countries, there are no long-term studies on the levels of indoor air pollution. The limited studies that have been undertaken indicate that indoor air pollution should be a public health concern. High levels of particulate matter and carbon monoxide have been reported, and generally, women and children are subject to the maximum exposure. There have been a few interventions, with improved stoves, in some areas since 1990. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has not been fully evaluated. Conclusion: Indoor air pollution has a significant impact on the health of the population in Pakistan. The use of biomass fuel as an energy source is the biggest contributor to poor indoor air quality followed by smoking. In order to arrest the increasing levels of indoor pollution, there is a dire need to recognize it as a major health hazard and formulate a national policy to combat it. An integrated effort, with involvement of all stakeholders, could yield promising results. A countrywide public awareness campaign, on the association of indoor air pollution with ill health, followed by practical intervention would be an appropriate approach. Due to the current socioeconomic conditions in the country, development and adoption of improved cooking stoves for the population at large would be the most suitable choice. However, the potential of biogas as a fuel should be explored further, and modern fuels (natural gas and LPG) need to be accessible and economical. Smoking in closed public spaces should be banned, and knowledge of the effect of smoking on indoor air quality needs to be quantified. © 2010 Springer-Verlag

A study on rotational behaviour of a new industrialised building system connection

The performance of an Industrialised Building System (IBS) consists of prefabricated reinforced concrete components, is greatly affected by the behaviour of the connection between beam and columns. The structural characteristics parameters of a beam-to-column connection like rotational stiffness, strength and ductility can be explained by load-rotation relationship of a full scale H-subframe under gravitational load. Furthermore, the connection’s degree of rigidity directly influences the behaviour of the whole frame. In this research, rotational behaviour of a patented innovative beam-to-column connection with unique benefits like easy installation, no wet work, no welding work at assembly site, using a hybrid behaviour of steel and concrete, easy replacement ability, and compatibility with architecture was investigated. The proposed IBS beam-to-column connection includes precast concrete components with embedded steel end connectors. Two full-scale H-subframes constructed with a new IBS and conventional cast in-situ reinforced concrete system beam-to-column connections were tested under incremental static loading. In this paper, load-rotation relationship and ratio of the rigidity of IBS beam-to-column connection are studied and compared with conventional monolithic reinforced concrete connection. It is concluded that this new IBS beam-to-column connection benefits from more rotational ductility than the conventional reinforced concrete connection. Furthermore, the semi-rigid IBS connection rigidity ratio is about 44% of a full rigid connection

Assessment of Bus Drivers’ Exposure to Respirable Particles (PM10) in Sari

AbstractBackground and purpose: High concentrations of respirable particles may cause high incidence of respiratory diseases and mortality in public populations and in particular in public transportation workers. Epidemiological exposure studies showed that respirable particles that emitted from traffic sources have more potential effects on more incidence of hospitalization or mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. In this study personal exposures of bus drivers to respirable particles (PM10) and factors that caused high personal exposure were studied in Sari city.Materials and Methods: In this study, a calibrated real time monitor (MicroDust Pro) with a personal sampling pump with 2 lit/min flow rate were used to measure Sari’s bus drivers personal exposure to PM10 concentrations on 3 main routs. This study was carried out during a one calendar year and all possible effective factors on personal exposure were recorded in a questionnaire.Results: The mean personal exposures to PM10 concentrations among bus drivers were varied in different months. Exposure to PM10 concentrations were higher in autumn and winter and increased to 300µgm-3 in some days. Personal exposures to these particles were increased in the evening and on high traffic flow routs. Other factors such as rainy weather and temperature, number of passengers, bus' model year, picking up and dropping off the passengers were the most effectiveg factors on driver's personal exposures.Conclusion: Bus drivers' exposure to respirable particles PM10 in Sari was varied in different time. It was due to entrance of outdoor particulate air pollutants into the bus during the picking up and getting off the passengers and resuspension of settled fine particles

Indoor and ambient air concentrations of respirable particles between two hospitals in Kashan (2014-2015)

Background: The hospital environment requires special attention to provide healthful indoor air quality for protecting patients and healthcare workers against the occupational diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of respirable particles indoor and ambient air of two hospitals in Kashan. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 3 months (Marth 2014 to May 2015). Indoor and outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were measured four times a week in the operating room, pediatric and ICU2 (Intensive Care Unit) wards using a real time dust monitor at two hospitals. A total number of 480 samples (80 samples indoors and 40 outdoors) from wards were collected. Results: The highest mean PM2.5 and PM10 for indoors were determined 57.61± 68.57 µg m-3 and 212.36±295.49 µg m-3, respectively. The results showed a significant relationship between PM2.5 and PM10 in the indoor and ambient air of two hospitals (P<0.05). PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were different in all of the selected wards (P<0.05). Conclusion: The respirable particle concentrations in the indoor and ambient air in both hospitals were higher than the 24-hours WHO and US-EPA standards. Thence, utilizing sufficient and efficient air conditioning systems in hospitals can be useful in improving indoor air quality and reducing the respirable particle concentrations