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Air quality is an important factor in healthcare organizations. It is necessary to maintain a high quality of air for the patients and staff. The World Health Organization (WHO) has created guidelines for air quality in healthcare settings. The guidelines help set standards for the levels of pollutants and contaminants acceptable in the air.
Air quality is also important because it can affect how well patients heal and recover from their illness or injury. This is why some hospitals now use sensors to monitor the levels of pollutants in different areas within the hospital, so they can make sure that they are not exceeding WHO guidelines.
What are the most prevalent air quality concerns in healthcare settings?
Air quality is especially important in healthcare settings because patients are susceptible to airborne pathogens. The reports of acute respiratory infection rates in hospitals are significantly higher than the population average, and many of these infections are due to air contamination. Hospital-acquired pneumonia, for instance, is a type of lung infection that can be transferred through hospital-acquired infections and airborne bacteria. The moist surfaces and humid environments found in healthcare facilities provide an ideal environment for microbial growth.
A recent study found that the most prevalent air quality concern in healthcare settings is infection control. Along with the need to disinfect any surface with which a patient may come into contact, hospitals also need to make sure that they are carefully regulating the humidity levels and temperature of an operating room.
Healthcare settings are no exception to the general public in that they too continue to be impacted by poor air quality. For example, in hospital operating rooms, the use of anesthesia and other chemicals for surgical procedures can lead to airborne particles that irritate occupants' lungs. Similarly, nursing homes may also be at risk for increased exposure to certain gases, such as formaldehyde.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a wide array of air pollutants are typically found in healthcare settings and all of them carry health risks. Therefore, healthcare facilities need to pay close attention to the quality of the air they’re providing to their patients and residents.
What is an air quality standard?
The U.S. EPA has established ambient air quality standards for eight main pollutants, including formaldehyde, which is a reactive toxic chemical and a common air pollutant. The U.S. EPA has also set a formaldehyde air quality standard for indoor air, which is more stringent than the outdoor standard since indoor air contains a much higher level of formaldehyde.
Health risks of formaldehyde
The U.S. EPA has determined that formaldehyde can cause cancer; it is also a known cause of allergic reactions and asthma. While the short-term exposure effects of formaldehyde may not be noticeable, long-term exposure can lead to serious health problems.
The U.S. EPA has set an 8 hr time-weighted average (8 hr TWA) exposure level for formaldehyde in indoor air as a cancer risk of 1.0 ppm.
The EPA's formaldehyde 8 hr TWA standard is intended to protect workers who are exposed continuously to formaldehyde over an 8-hr work shift, as well as protect the general public.
The EPA has determined that the cancer risk of formaldehyde for children is 0.03 ppm.
The EPA has determined that the cancer risk of formaldehyde for the general public is 0.1 ppm.
What doing to address indoor air quality issues?
Healthcare Organizations like Clinics, Hospitals, Nursing homes, Long-Term Care centers, etc.
Air quality management is a major concern for all healthcare settings. The typical American spends close to 90% of their time indoors and as such, they are constantly exposed to indoor air pollutants that can trigger respiratory and cardiovascular problems. In the healthcare setting, there are many other factors to consider: patients with respiratory conditions, staff members who work in high-risk areas such as operating rooms, and those who spend extended periods of time in confined spaces such as nursing homes or hospitals rooms.
The EPA's formaldehyde 8 hr TWA standard is intended to protect workers who are exposed continuously to formaldehyde over an 8-hr work shift, as well as protect the general public.
The majority of healthcare organizations are focusing on indoor air quality, either by:
Providing education on indoor air quality issues
Providing resources for indoor air quality assessment
Develop strategies to reduce or eliminate indoor air quality problems
Develop strategies for improving indoor air quality
Addressing indoor air quality risks, See also
Air pollution
Environmental engineering
Environmental Health
Environmental risk assessment
Indoor air quality
Indoor air quality assessment
Indoor air quality and regulation
Indoor environmental quality
Indoor air quality monitoring in developing countries
When considering the purchase of air purifiers what considerations are most important and why?
Air purifiers are popular in households for removing allergens, odors, smoke, and other pollutants. However, there are many factors to consider when purchasing one. The most important considerations for homeowners include the size of the space the device will be used in (some work better in large spaces than small), type of filter (HEPA filters are best for allergies or asthma), allergy relief level desired, a noise level that may disturb sleepers who share a room with the unit, and cost.
Choosing the right air purifier is a complex issue that involves a number of factors. The first step is to decide whether you want your air purifier to be a reactive (filter) or a proactive (ionizer). They are both good if you have allergies or asthma.
Read these: 5 Things to Consider When Buying an Air Purifier