The objectives of this study are to determine the non-methane volatile organic carbon emissions from the parts used in the interiors of buses at different temperatures and to analyze the components of these emissions. The total non-methane volatile organic carbon (NMVOC) concentrations in various sections of a bus were measured in order to determine the indoor air pollution in the bus. Different samples of the materials used in the interior parts of the buses were provided by the manufacturing company and they were tested in the METU Air Pollution Laboratory in order to see what hydrocarbon components make up this total NMVOC concentration.The results of experiments showed that the leading constituent emitted from the test pieces was toluene. Benzene concentration was very low. This is very important since benzene is a carcinogen and it has very low indoor concentration limits determined by OSHA and NIOSH. When the concentrations of the total NMVOC emitted from various parts are examined, it was seen that the most of the VOC emissions occur from the floor materials and ventilation channel. After measurements were done in two buses the average indoor total NMVOC concentrations were found as 21.15 &plusmn / 5.8 ppmv (as C3H8) and 46.04 &plusmn / 9.2 ppmv (as C3H8) in the first and second bus, respectively. Suggestions were made to the manufacturing company for some replacement of solvents and adhesives, and measurements were repeated with the newly manufactured parts for the bus. The highest concentrations were observed for toluene in these measurements, too. However, the toluene concentration was at least 40% lower than the initial values. Benzene concentrations were again very low. The average indoor total NMVOC concentrations were found as 10.41 &plusmn / 2 ppmv (as C3H8) in the measurements done in the bus decorated with new materials. This concentration was about 50% and 25% of the values measured in the first and the second bus at the beginning of the study, respectively.

The understanding of human exposure to indoor particles of all sizes is important to enable exposure control and reduction, but especially for smaller particles since the smaller particles have a higher probability of penetration into the deeper parts of the respiratory tract and also contain higher levels of trace elements and toxins. Due to the limited understanding of the relationship between particle size and the health effects they cause, as well as instrument limitations, the available information on submicrometer (d < 1.0 µm) particles indoors, both in terms of mass and number concentrations, is still relatively limited. This PhD project was conducted as part of the South-East Queensland Air Quality program and Queensland Housing Study aimed at providing a better understanding of ambient particle concentrations within the indoor environment with a focus on exposure assessment and control. This PhD project was designed to investigate comprehensively the sources and sinks of indoor aerosol particles and the relationship between indoor and outdoor aerosol particles, particle and gaseous pollutant, as well as the association between indoor air pollutants and house characteristics by using, analysing and interpreting existing experimental data which were collected before this project commenced, as well as data from additional experiments which were designed and conducted for the purpose of this project. The focus of this research was on submicrometer particles with a diameter between 0.007 - 0.808 µm. The main outcome of this project may be summarised as following: * A comprehensive review of particle concentration levels and size distributions characteristics in the residential and non-industrial workplace environments was conducted. This review included only those studies in which more general trends were investigated, or could be concluded based on information provided in the papers. This review included four parts: 1) outdoor particles and their effect on indoor environments; 2) the relationship between indoor and outdoor concentration levels in the absence of indoor sources for naturally ventilated buildings; 3) indoor sources of particles: contribution to indoor concentration levels and the effect on I/O ratios for naturally ventilated buildings; and 4) indoor/outdoor relationship in mechanically ventilated buildings. * The relationship between indoor and outdoor airborne particles was investigated for sixteen residential houses in Brisbane, Australia, in the absence of operating indoor sources. Comparison of the ratios of indoor to outdoor particle concentrations revealed that while temporary values of the ratio vary in a broad range from 0.2 to 2.5 for both lower and higher ventilation conditions, average values of the ratios were very close to one regardless of ventilation conditions and of particle size range. The ratios were in the range from 0.78 to 1.07 for submicrometer particles, from 0.95 to 1.0 for supermicrometer particles and from 1.01 to 1.08 for PM2.5 fraction. Comparison of the time series of indoor to outdoor particle concentrations showed a clear positive relationship existing for many houses under normal ventilation conditions (estimated to be about and above 2 h-1), but not under minimum ventilation conditions (estimated to be about and below 1 h-1). These results suggest that for normal ventilation conditions and in the absence of operating indoor sources, outdoor particle concentrations could be used to predict instantaneous indoor particle concentrations but not for minium ventilation, unless air exchange rate is known, thus allowing for estimation of the "delay constant". * Diurnal variation of indoor submicrometer particle number and particle mass (approximation of PM2.5) concentrations was investigated in fifteen of the houses. The results show that there were clear diurnal variations in both particle number and approximation of PM2.5 concentrations, for all the investigated houses. The pattern of diurnal variations varied from house to house, however, there was always a close relationship between the concentration and human indoor activities. The average number and mass concentrations during indoor activities were (18.2±3.9)×10³ particles cm-³ and (15.5±7.9) µg m-³ respectively, and under non-activity conditions, (12.4±2.7)x10³ particles cm-³ (11.1±2.6) µg m-³, respectively. In general, there was a poor correlation between mass and number concentrations and the correlation coefficients were highly variable from day to day and from house to house. This implies that conclusions cannot be drawn about either one of the number or mass concentration characteristics of indoor particles, based on measurement of the other. The study also showed that it is unlikely that particle concentrations indoors could be represented by measurements conducted at a fixed monitoring station due to the large impact of indoor and local sources. * Emission characteristics of indoor particle sources in fourteen residential houses were quantified. In addition, characterizations of particles resulting from cooking conducted in an identical way in all the houses were measured. All the events of elevated particle concentrations were linked to indoor activities using house occupants diary entries, and catalogued into 21 different types of indoor activities. This enabled quantification of the effect of indoor sources on indoor particle concentrations as well as quantification of emission rates from the sources. For example, the study found that frying, grilling, stove use, toasting, cooking pizza, smoking, candle vaporizing eucalyptus oil and fan heater use, could elevate the indoor submicrometer particle number concentration levels by more than 5 times, while PM2.5 concentrations could be up to 3, 30 and 90 times higher than the background levels during smoking, frying and grilling, respectively. * Indoor particle deposition rates of size classified particles in the size range from 0.015 to 6 µm were quantified. Particle size distribution resulting from cooking, repeated under two different ventilation conditions in 14 houses, as well as changes to particle size distribution as a function of time, were measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS), and a DustTrak. Deposition rates were determined by regression fitting of the measured size-resolved particle number and PM2.5 concentration decay curves, and accounting for air exchange rate. The measured deposition rates were shown to be particle size dependent and they varied from house to house. The lowest deposition rates were found for particles in the size range from 0.2 to 0.3 µm for both minimum (air exchange rate: 0.61±0.45 h-1) and normal (air exchange rate: 3.00±1.23 h-1) ventilation conditions. The results of statistical analysis indicated that ventilation condition (measured in terms of air exchange rate) was an important factor affecting deposition rates for particles in the size range from 0.08 to 1.0 µm, but not for particles smaller than 0.08 µm or larger than 1.0 µm. Particle coagulation was assessed to be negligible compared to the two other processes of removal: ventilation and deposition. This study of particle deposition rates, the largest conducted so far in terms of the number of residential houses investigated, demonstrated trends in deposition rates comparable with studies previously reported, usually for significantly smaller samples of houses (often only one). However, the results compare better with studies which, similarly to this study, investigated cooking as a source of particles (particle sources investigated in other studies included general activity, cleaning, artificial particles, etc). * Residential indoor and outdoor 48 h average levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), 48h indoor submicrometer particle number concentration and the approximation of PM2.5 concentrations were measured simultaneously for fourteen houses. Statistical analyses of the correlation between indoor and outdoor pollutants (NO2 and particles) and the association between house characteristics and indoor pollutants were conducted. The average indoor and outdoor NO2 levels were 13.8 ± 6.3 ppb and 16.7 ± 4.2 ppb, respectively. The indoor/outdoor NO2 concentration ratio ranged from 0.4 to 2.3, with a median value of 0.82. Despite statistically significant correlations between outdoor and fixed site NO2 monitoring station concentrations (p = 0.014, p = 0.008), there was no significant correlation between either indoor and outdoor NO2 concentrations (p = 0.428), or between indoor and fixed site NO2 monitoring station concentrations (p = 0.252, p = 0.465,). However, there was a significant correlation between indoor NO2 concentration and indoor submicrometer aerosol particle number concentrations (p = 0.001), as well as between indoor PM2.5 and outdoor NO2 (p = 0.004). These results imply that the outdoor or fixed site monitoring concentration alone is a poor predictor of indoor NO2 concentration. * Analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant association between indoor PM2.5 and any of the house characteristics investigated (p > 0.05). However, associations between indoor submicrometer particle number concentration and some house characteristics (stove type, water heater type, number of cars and condition of paintwork) were significant at the 5% level. Associations between indoor NO2 and some house characteristics (house age, stove type, heating system, water heater type and floor type) were also significant (p < 0.05). The results of these analyses thus strongly suggest that the gas stove, gas heating system and gas water heater system are main indoor sources of indoor submicrometer particle and NO2 concentrations in the studied residential houses. The significant contributions of this PhD project to the knowledge of indoor particle included: 1) improving an understanding of indoor particles behaviour in residential houses, especially for submicrometer particle; 2) improving an understanding of indoor particle source and indoor particle sink characteristics, as well as their effects on indoor particle concentration levels in residential houses; 3) improving an understanding of the relationship between indoor and outdoor particles, the relationship between particle mass and particle number, correlation between indoor NO2 and indoor particles, as well as association between indoor particle, NO2 and house characteristics.

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.