Indoor air quality has become a challenge together with the global aim &lsquo / decreasing energy consumption&rsquo / . Increasing insulation levels of building envelopes but implementing inaccurate building system details has caused excessive heat, accumulation of pollutants, etc. in spaces. In terms of educational spaces, the increase in complaints and illnesses due to unfavorable indoor air conditions leads to a decrease in concentration and so academic performance of students and staff. In the context, the aim of the study was indicating the poor indoor air quality conditions caused by inadequate fresh air supply in crowded educational spaces and making recommendations for the improvement. In the study, a classroom and a design studio in the METU Faculty of Architecture building were investigated. In order to examine the existing situation, at two locations of each room the temperature, relative humidity and CO2 were continuously recorded between 13 September 2011 and 24 February 2012 and air speed for ten-day periods between 26 November 2011 and 5 January 2012. The evaluation of the collected data indicated that both of the rooms had temperature, so relative humidity and CO2 accumulation problems mainly due to insufficient fresh air supply in the winter period. In order to eliminate the poor conditions in the rooms, the needed outdoor air can be provided through the inlet openings coupled with fan coils, which are in existence but not in use.

No description available.

The work started with the clinical observations in patients working in buildings with indoor air problems. Signs of seborrhoeic dermatitis, erythematous facial skin conditions and itching conditions on the trunk were noted. Another point of departure was the attribution of facial skin symptoms to VDT work by patients. A questionnaire-based prevalence study of symptoms compatible with the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and facial skin symptoms in 4,943 office workers formed the basis for two case referent studies, one focusing on SBS, the other on facial skin symptoms in VDT workers. The prevalence of SBS was three times higher in women than men. The prevalence was higher in young persons and in atopies. Facial skin symptoms showed the same pattern. Psychosocial work load, paper and VDT work were also risk indicators for SBS and for skin symptoms. The symptom excess in women was analyzed with reference to differences in biological or acquired risks and different illness and reporting behaviour. In spite of inequalities in social conditions at home and at work and differences in physical working conditions, these differences could only explain a small part of the gender difference. The odds ratio for SBS in women was lowered from 3.4 in the crude analysis to 3.0 in the multivariate analysis. Effect modification was in most cases stronger in men and the clinical validation of the questionnaire refuted the hypothesis that women over-report symptoms. The results indicate that the gender difference in symptom prevalence is part of a general pattem common to psychosomatic illnesses. In the case referent study of SBS, atopy, psychosocial work load, buildings built or renovated after 1977, the presence of photocopiers and a low outdoor air flow rate were risk indicators. The association between air quality and the occurrence of SBS symptoms was demonstrated by a flow-response relation between the outdoor air flow rate and SBS symptoms. In the case referent study of skin symptoms in VDT work, psychosocial work load, electric background fields, the presence of fluorescent lights with plastic shields and low cleaning frequency were risk indicators. The clinical findings in the two case groups and their referents supported the applied relevance of the studies. Compared with the referents, the SBS cases had more work- related facial erythema, seborriioeic dermatitis and general pruritus, while skin symptom cases, had more work-related facial erythema than their referents. The results show that SBS symptoms and facial skin symptoms have a multifactorial background with constitutional, psychosocial and physical risk indicators. As the indoor air quality is a determinant of SBS symptoms, and the building itself is but one source of indoor air pollution, it is suggested that the name Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) be replaced by Indoor Air Syndrome (IAS). / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1994, härtill 5 uppsatser.</p> / digitalisering@umu

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a semi-airtight (the building only utilises mechanical means to ventilate the occupied spaces however an airtight seal is not established as a result of infiltration due to building design) office building that is situated in central Johannesburg that exclusively uses a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for ventilation. This implies a system that only utilises mechanical ventilation to heat, cool, humidify and clean the air for comfort, safety and health of employees. This includes the control of odour levels, and also the maintenance of carbon dioxide (CO2) below stipulated levels. Methods: The building is divided into two sections; west and east. Each section has its own ventilation supply. A randomisation process was used to ascertain which offices needed to be sampled, in which section as well as on which floor. For this study, five offices per section were measured. Thus, ten offices per floor were measured and measurements were taken on every second floor. All measurements were done in accordance with the specific requirements of the manufacturer of any specific instrument used and measurements were taken over an eight hour period (full work shift). Results were compared to the available standard, as well as compared to the ambient concentrations. Results: None of the monitored contaminants’ concentration were above the provided standards (ASHRAE or ACGIH). Where standards were unavailable, the HVAC system maintained an indoor contaminant concentration that is substantially lower when compared to the outdoor air concentrations. Conclusion: The buildings’ HVAC system maintains indoor air quality at a healthy level it is unlikely that any one of these contaminants may lead to SBS amongst the employees. / MSc (Occupational Hygiene), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Economic development brings about urbanisation which may result in rapid housing expansion. The health and well-being of communities is often not considered as a priority of urbanisation with the pressure for developing better economies. Sustainability principles in housing developments are perceived to be able to enhance and to improve the quality of living. The approach to sustainability can, however, be interpreted and prioritised differently. Many developing countries such as Malaysia are depending upon industrialisation for the development of their economies. Continuing urbanisation and industrialisation in these countries indirectly creates tensions between the need for a better built environment, and the push for economic growth. One specific phenomena in Malaysia is the introduction of the mixed-use urban neighbourhood, whereby residential development is netsled within the industrial establishments. On one hand, this helps to create job opportunities and improve the local economy. On the other, it creates concerns in the relations to the house planning, and to the well-being of the residents. These have potential exposures to industrial activities that are associated with environmental problems, such as, poor air quality, local temperature increases, and excessive noise levels. This research applied the current international trends of sustainability practices in housing development in searching for the most appropriate strategies for developing sustainable residential-industrial neighborhoods. Cross reference to other countries strategies and experiences can be adaptation for Malaysian conditions. A residential-industrial community in the city of Pasir Gudang Johor, Malaysia, has been selected as a case study in order to examine the perceived problems of indoor environmental quality in such environments. The result of a questionnaire survey and in-situ measurement indicates that they are facing indoor environmental problems. A set of recommendations for housing guidelines which are tailored for local Malaysians conditions have been identified, and have potential for improving the housing development guidelines and policies for mixed-use community living. Comprehensive strategies will need to be developed to achieve housing development sustainability goals. The development of Master Planned Communities (MPC's) is suggested to be appropriate mechanism to developing planning controls. This will ensure the improvement of indoor environmental quality of living in residential-industrial housing developments in Malaysia. It is anticipated that this research will make a positive contribution to developing decision-making procedures that are appropriate to achieving the goals of sustainable housing development in relation to mixed-used residential housing, It is also expected that this research will assist in establishment of a unified national sustainable housing strategy, and in the rationalised adoption of a master planned community approach.

Intensive care units (ICU) and Surgical Center are noteworthy environments, because patients with poor health that frequent these places are subjected to acquire infections from the air of these environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the air quality during the dry and rainy seasons of air-conditioned rooms of the NICU, neonatal intensive care unit, (A, B and C) , surgical center and exterior area at the University Hospital HUPAA/UFAL, Maceió-AL, for parameters recommended by ANVISA, and identify the mycoflora found and quantify the bacteria in the air. A number of 22 points of collects were performed, totaling 220 samples of air taken through the methodology specified by ANVISA s No. 9 Resolution, which consists in the definition of the parameters of bioaerosol, CO2, temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and aerialdispersoids. Macro and microscopic features were compared in order to identify the mycoflora and yeasts were identified by PCR with species-specific primers. From the 3.839 fungal colony forming units (CFU) isolated, 1.085 CFU were identified as belonging to 21 genera distributed among 63 species. Mycelia Sterilia with 121 CFU (11.1%) and Cladosporium cladosporioides with 78 CFU (7.2%) were the most frequent species in rainy season. Among the yeast species, Candida parapsilosis and C. tropicalis had the biggest frequency, both with four isolates corresponding to 4.7% each. The means were statistically significant for the parameters CO2, temperature, humidity and aerialdispersoids, not being significant for the air speed parameter. The observed values shows that the environments tested in the hospital were out of compliance for most of the parameters recommended by health surveillance in relation to the indoor air quality. Corrective measures are needed to remedy the possible sources of contamination in hospitals in order to comply with the four technical standards recommended by the National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance, contributing to the reduction of the levels of hospital infection, and the number of deaths related to it. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / As UTI s e o centro cirúrgico são ambientes hospitalares que merecem destaque, pois os pacientes nestes locais estão sujeitos a adquirir infecções provenientes do ar desses ambientes por apresentarem a saúde debilitada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do ar durante os períodos seco e chuvoso dos ambientes internos climatizados A, B e C da UTN, do centro cirúrgico e do ponto externo do Hospital Universitário HUPAA/UFAL, Maceió-AL, com relação aos parâmetros recomendados pela ANVISA, além de identificar a microbiota fúngica e quantificar as bactérias presentes no ar. Foram realizadas 22 coletas, totalizando 220 amostragens de ar realizadas através da metodologia indicada pela Resolução nº 9 da ANVISA que consiste na determinação dos parâmetros de bioaerossóis, CO2, temperatura, umidade relativa, velocidade do ar e aerodispersóides. Para identificação dos fungos filamentosos foram comparadas as características macro e microscópicas e as leveduras foram identificadas através da técnica de PCR com iniciadores espécie-específicos. Das 3.839 UFC fúngicas isoladas foram identificadas 1.085 UFC pertencentes a 21 gêneros distribuídos em 63 espécies, sendo Mycelia Sterilia com 121 (11,1%) UFC e Cladosporium cladosporioides com 78 (7,2%) UFC as espécies mais freqüentes no período chuvoso. Entre as leveduras, Candida parapsilosis e C. tropicalis foram as mais ocorrentes, ambas com quatro isolados correspondendo a 4,7% cada. As médias foram estatisticamente significativas para os parâmetros CO2, temperatura, umidade relativa, aerodispersóides e bioaerossóis, não sendo significativas para o parâmetro velocidade do ar. Os valores observados demonstram que os ambientes hospitalares estudados estavam fora de conformidade para maioria dos parâmetros recomendados pela vigilância sanitária em relação à qualidade do ar de interiores. Medidas corretivas são necessárias para remediar as possíveis fontes de contaminação nas unidades hospitalares de forma a atender as quatro normas técnicas preconizadas pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, contribuindo para minimizar os níveis de infecção hospitalar e o número de óbitos a esta relacionados.

Submitted by Alexandre Sousa (alexandre.sousa@incqs.fiocruz.br) on 2015-06-19T19:00:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ERICA_ZIEHE.pdf: 76142458 bytes, checksum: 75499b175d6c2b0c7b2b0c87a82ec79b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alexandre Sousa (alexandre.sousa@incqs.fiocruz.br) on 2015-06-19T19:00:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ERICA_ZIEHE.pdf: 76142458 bytes, checksum: 75499b175d6c2b0c7b2b0c87a82ec79b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alexandre Sousa (alexandre.sousa@incqs.fiocruz.br) on 2015-06-19T19:00:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ERICA_ZIEHE.pdf: 76142458 bytes, checksum: 75499b175d6c2b0c7b2b0c87a82ec79b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-19T19:00:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ERICA_ZIEHE.pdf: 76142458 bytes, checksum: 75499b175d6c2b0c7b2b0c87a82ec79b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Vigilância Sanitária / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. / A qualidade do ar em ambientes internos vem recebendo uma crescente atenção no Brasil na última década, e seus efeitos sobre a saúde humana têm sido objeto de intensivos estudos devido à grande diversidade de substâncias químicas, particulados e agentes biológicos encontrados nestes ambientes. Os contaminantes biológicos mais encontrados são principalmente fungos e bactérias. Nesse contexto, a ANVISA adotou os fungos como indicadores biológicos da qualidade do ar por meio da Resolução n° 9 de 16 de janeiro de 2003. O objetivo desse trabalho foi determinar a qualidade do ar de dois Hospitais Públicos. Avaliações quantitativas e qualitativas de contaminantes fungicos viáveis foram realizadas, para o controle e prevenção de riscos à saúde dos trabalhadores, pacientes e frequentadores destes ambientes. Além de isolar e identificar espécies do gênero Aspergillus para um levantamento das espécies mais frequentes no interior dos hospitais, também foram avaliadas a influência da temperatura e umidade relativa do ar nos níveis de contaminação. Foi proposta uma tabela de fator de risco em relação as espécies isoladas do gênero Aspergillus. As coletas das amostras de ar foram realizadas entre os anos de 2006 e 2007 e executadas de acordo com a Resolução n° 9 de 16 de janeiro de 2003 da ANVISA. As análises microbiológicas foram realizadas no Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Foram isolados um total de 2.978 fungos, onde 30% das amostras foram positivas para Aspergillus, dando um total de 360 cepas isoladas e identificadas a nível de espécie. As contagens variaram de 1375 UFC/m3 de ar a 7 UFC/m3 de ar, e as espécies do gênero Aspergillus mais encontradas foram A. flavus (24%), A. japonicus (16%), A. oryzae (15%), A. niger (15%), A. awamori (6%), A. fumigatus (4%). As maiores contagens foram registradas no outono e inverno e as menores foram na primavera e no verão, e as analises de correlação mostraram uma tendência da umidade relativa do ar influenciando os níveis de contaminação. Após todas as análises podemos concluir que se faz necessário o estabelecimento de normas fundamentadas em pesquisas, considerando as atividades e o tipo de usuário, buscando novos valores de VMR e indicando os microrganismos importantes como possíveis indicadores na má qualidades do ar de interiores. / The indoor air quality has received increasing attention in Brazil in the last decade, and its effects on human health have been the subject of intensive studies due to the wide variety of chemicals, particulates and biological agents found in these environments. Biological contaminants most commonly found are mainly fungi and bacteria. In this context, ANVISA adopted fungi as biological indicators of air quality through Resolution No. 9 of January 16, 2003. The aim of this study was to determine the air quality of the two Public Hospitals. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations of viable antifungal contaminants were performed for the control and prevention of health risks to workers, patients and patrons of these environments. In addition to isolating and identifying species of the genus Aspergillus to a survey of the most common species within hospitals, also the influence of temperature and relative humidity levels of contamination were evaluated. A table of risk factors regarding the isolated species of the genus Aspergillus was proposed. The collection of air samples were performed between the years 2006 and 2007 and executed in accordance with Resolution No. 9 of 16 January 2003 of ANVISA. Microbiological analyzes were performed at the Laboratório de Taxonomia, Bioquímica e Bioprospecção de Fungos do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. A total of 2,978 fungi were isolated, where 30 % of the samples were positive for Aspergillus, giving a total of 360 strains isolated and identified to species level. The counts ranged from 1375 CFU/m3 air at 7 CFU/m3 air, and the most frequent species of the genus Aspergillus were A. flavus (24%), A. japonicus (16%), A. oryzae (15%), A. niger (15%), A. awamori (6%), A. fumigatus (4%). The highest counts were recorded in autumn and winter and the lowest were in the spring and summer, and correlation analysis showed a trend of relative humidity influencing contamination levels. After all the analysis we can conclude that it is necessary to establish standards grounded in research, considering the activities and the type of user, seeking new VMR values and indicating the important organisms as possible indicators in poor quality of indoor air.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:09:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 parte1.pdf: 1935586 bytes, checksum: 62cd9bb9cf4c0e520baea83d41493e71 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-09-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work has evaluated the quality of indoor air, from both biological and physicochemical points of view, in the Complexo de Doenças Infectocontagiosas Dr. Clementino Fraga , João Pessoa - Paraíba, using the Square Sampling technique, the air-exposing method by impactation with a linear accelerator, and a series of temperature, air humidity and speed and direction of internal and external winds data, collected in loco, and whose results, once compared with the indicators recommended by the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária ANVISA (Portuguese for Sanitary Vigilance National Agency), have shown unacceptable levels of air contamination Indoor air quality; Hospital infection; hospital architecture; natural ventilation. / Este trabalho avaliou a qualidade do ar interior, do ponto de vista biológico e físico-químico do edifício hospitalar Complexo de Doenças Infectocontagiosas Dr Clementino Fraga , localizado em João Pessoa Paraíba, utilizando-se da técnica Square Sampling , do método de amostragem de ar por impactação com acelerador linear e com séries de dados de temperatura, umidade do ar, velocidades e direção dos ventos interno e externo à edificação, coletados in loco, cujos resultados, comparados com os indicadores recomendados pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária ANVISA, apresentaram níveis inaceitáveis de contaminação do ar Qualidade do ar interior; Infecção hospitalar; arquitetura hospitalar; ventilação natural.

A qualidade do ar é um importante indicador de saúde ambiental, sendo o seu monitoramento contínuo necessário. Apesar da relevância do tema, há muitos países em que os limites de exposição para agentes biológicos ainda não foram estabelecidos ou foram definidos de forma inadequada, podendo comprometer a qualidade ambiental. Os ambientes hospitalares, assim como as salas de necropsia podem apresentar problemas de contaminação do ar por agentes microbiológicos, necessitando de monitoramento contínuo a fim de evitar a ocorrência de doenças nos trabalhadores e na população em geral. Este estudo realizou a avaliação microbiológica do ar em hospitais públicos e IMLs da região metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro em salas cirúrgicas e de necropsia. A pesquisa exploratória e descritiva baseou-se em levantamento bibliográfico e investigação de campo, através de estudos de casos. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas e observação direta nos locais de trabalho, onde foram realizadas as avaliações microbiológicas do ar. As variações em salas cirúrgicas para bactérias e fungos foram respectivamente de 14,99 ufc/m3 88,29 ufc/m3 e de 45,93 ufc/m3 - 742,09 ufc/m3. Já nas salas de necropsia os valores para bactérias e fungos variaram respectivamente de 18,96 ufc/m3 54,9 ufc/m3 e de 144,87 ufc/m3 - 1152,01 ufc/m3. Foram identificados tanto no ambiente cirúrgico como nas salas de necropsia a presença dos seguintes fungos: Aspergillus sp., Neurospora sp., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Curvularia sp., e Trichoderma sp. Já em relação às bactérias foram identificadas as presenças de Staphilococcus sp., Streptococcus sp. e Micrococcus sp. Foram traçadas recomendações para melhoria da qualidade ambiental e do ar. Os resultados indicaram que os valores são elevados quando comparados com as recomendações das normas internacionais. Foram encontrados valores inferiores aos sugeridos pela CP n. 109 da ANVISA. A presença de microrganismos patogênicos sugere adoção de medidas de controle ambiental. O estudo apontou a necessidade urgente do estabelecimento de valores de referência para ambientes hospitalares no Brasil a fim de garantir condições seguras que não venham a comprometer a saúde dos pacientes e profissionais de saúde envolvidos. / The indoor air quality is an important environmental health indicator and yours continuous monitoring is necessary. Its depends on, among other factors, of the biological agents exposure limits fixing. Despite this topic relevance, in many countries, the biological exposure limits still dont exist or were inadequately defined. What can compromise the environmental quality. The hospital environments just as the necropsies rooms can have indoor air contamination problems caused by microbiological agents and needs to have continuous monitoring to avoid the occurrence of diseases in the workers and in the overall population. This study realized a microbiological indoor air assessment at surgical rooms of three public hospitals and autopsies rooms of two IMLs located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The study was descriptive and exploratory based on bibliographic review and camping research though study cases. Data were obtained from interviews with the health workers and cleaning team and direct observation at the selected workplaces. The fungal and bacteria variation in surgical room and autopsy room were respectively of 14,99 88,29 ufc/m3 and 45,93 ufc/m3 742,09 ufc/m3. Were detected in the surgical rooms and necropsy rooms the fungal genera: Aspergillus sp., Neurospora sp., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Cladosporium sp., Curvularia sp., e Trichoderma sp. and bacterial genera: Staphilococcus sp., Streptococcus sp. and Micrococcus sp. Were traced recommendations to improve environment and air quality. The results indicate that the limits can be considered exceed when compared with those proposed by the international organisms. Were identified some values lower than 50 ufc/m3 proposed by the CP n. 109 ANVISA. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms suggest the need of environmental control measures. That indicate the values actually used as reference in Brazil must been revised considering the environments specificities and the urge to create a specific legislation for hospital environments that guarantee security conditions and do not comes to compromise the health and well being of the patients and health professionals involved

La pollution de l'air est l'un des principaux problèmes de santé publique de notre siècle et surtout de l'air intérieur alors que nous passons environ 90% de notre temps dans des environnements fermés. Parmi les polluants les bioaérosols ont été peu étudiés. Cependant des études épidémiologiques ont déjà montré une relation entre les bioaérosols et la santé. Le but de cette thèse est d’étudier les virus respiratoires dans les milieux clos via les systèmes de ventilation. A l’issue d’un état de l’art des polluants de l’air, il est important de définir ceux nécessitant d’être traités, les systèmes de ventilation, les procédés de filtration par médias fibreux et les procédés de traitement pouvant être mis en oeuvre. Les effets des bioaérosols viraux dans les environnements intérieurs sur la santé publique ont été discutés dans une revue bibliographique. Une méthodologie a été mise en oeuvre pour étudier le comportement des virus dans une centrale de traitement de l’air (CTA). Les virus respiratoires, mengovirus (virus nu à ARN de la même famille que les rhinovirus responsables du rhume) et adénovirus (virus respiratoire nu à ADN), ont été choisis et étudiés dans un système expérimental miniature représentatif des systèmes de traitement d’air. La performance de filtration d’un filtre de CTA vis-à-vis des aérosols viraux a été évaluée avec une validation du système expérimental utilisé. Cette étude a montré la capacité des virus de passer à travers le filtre tout en restant infectieux. Peu de littérature existant sur le sujet, ce projet a permis d’ajouter de nouvelles données pertinentes quant à la persistance des virus respiratoires dans l’air intérieur et plus précisément au niveau des filtres dans les centrales de traitement d’air. / Air pollution is one of the major public health problems of our century and especially of indoor air as we spend about 90% of our time in closed environments. Among pollutants bioaerosols have been poorly studied. However, epidemiological studies have already shown a relationship between bioaerosols and human health. The aim of this PhD work is to learn about respiratory viruses in closed environments via ventilation systems in order to study indoor air quality. At the end of state of the art of air pollutants, it is important to define those present in the air that need to be treated, ventilation systems, filtration processes by fibrous media and the processing methods being able to be implemented. The effects of viral bioaerosols on public health in indoor environments were discussed and drafted in a bibliographic review. The methodology of the study was to assess the fate of respiratory viruses, mengoviruses and adenoviruses, in a miniature experimental system similar to air treatment systems used in closed environments. The experimental system used was validated and the filter performance against viral aerosols was investigated. This study presented originality for the characterization and the fate of two non-enveloped respiratory viruses, mengovirus (RNA) and adenovirus (DNA), in indoor environments and their fate on fiber glass filter. This study showed the ability of viruses to pass through the filter and to remain infectious upstream and downstream the filter. There is scarce literature on this subject, and this project allowed us to add new relevant data on the persistence of respiratory viruses in indoor air and more precisely at the level of filters in air handling units.