1- , rezahekmatshoar@yahoo.com
Abstract: (79 Views)
Background: Evidence regarding indoor air quality in Iranian hospitals is very limited. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are considered important chemical pollutants in hospital environments. This study aimed to investigate the concentrations of VOCs in the air of different hospital departments and to assess the associated exposure risks.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 in 20 departments of a hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Passive sampling was carried out using activated carbon adsorption tubes, and the collected samples were analyzed by GC/MS. Non-carcinogenic risks were assessed using the Monte Carlo technique in Crystal Ball software.
Results: The findings indicated that toluene had the highest concentrations in most departments (including operating rooms, delivery ward, neonatal intensive care unit, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric surgery, intensive care units, emergency department, main hall, clinic, kitchen, radiology, laundry, waste disposal unit, and yard). In the central sterile services department and laboratory, m, p-xylene and o-xylene were predominant, respectively (P-value < 0.05). Hazard quotient (HQ) analysis showed that m, p-xylene and o-xylene had the highest HQ values of 626.99 and 478.09, respectively. The lowest HQ values were 0.001 and 0.91, corresponding to 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and cyclohexanone, respectively.
Conclusion: The results suggest that certain departments, particularly laboratories and operating rooms, may serve as critical hotspots for VOC exposure. Therefore, strengthening air quality monitoring and control programs in hospitals is recommended to protect the health of both staff and patients.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 in 20 departments of a hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Passive sampling was carried out using activated carbon adsorption tubes, and the collected samples were analyzed by GC/MS. Non-carcinogenic risks were assessed using the Monte Carlo technique in Crystal Ball software.
Results: The findings indicated that toluene had the highest concentrations in most departments (including operating rooms, delivery ward, neonatal intensive care unit, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric surgery, intensive care units, emergency department, main hall, clinic, kitchen, radiology, laundry, waste disposal unit, and yard). In the central sterile services department and laboratory, m, p-xylene and o-xylene were predominant, respectively (P-value < 0.05). Hazard quotient (HQ) analysis showed that m, p-xylene and o-xylene had the highest HQ values of 626.99 and 478.09, respectively. The lowest HQ values were 0.001 and 0.91, corresponding to 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and cyclohexanone, respectively.
Conclusion: The results suggest that certain departments, particularly laboratories and operating rooms, may serve as critical hotspots for VOC exposure. Therefore, strengthening air quality monitoring and control programs in hospitals is recommended to protect the health of both staff and patients.
Article number: 2
Keywords: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Health Risk Assessment, Monte Carlo Method, Air Pollution, Hospital
Type of Study: Research Article |
Subject:
Chemical agents
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