Zohreh Sadeghi Hasanvand, Mohamad Sadegh Sekhavatjo, Roya Zakavat,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2013)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Transmission of pathogenic micro-organisms through the air is very dangerous for the society health. It is one of the most important issues that currently has faced the majority of hospitals with increasing nosocomial infections. Bio-aerosols are linked with a wide range of health effects including communicable diseases, acute toxic effects, and allergies and nosocomial infections, which can threaten health of personals, patients, and their companions admitted in hospitals. . Given that hospital infection rates has a direct relationship with the density and type of bioaerosols,, therefore, the distribution and abundance of micro-organisms, which wasthe main objective of the study becomes important. Materials and Methodes: This was a descriptive-analytic study in which seven wards of Valiasr hospital were selected randomly. The wards selected were Internal, laboratory, infants and children, CCU, Men surgery, women and labors. Operating rooms and outside the hospital environment were also studied. Air samples were taken according to the NIOSH standard instructions and Anderson procedure with a flow rate of 3.28 L per 2 minutes on mannitol salt agar, nutrient agar, EMB agar, blood agar, and sabarose dextrose agar media. Out of 240 samples taken, 200 samples showed growth. Then, the samples were transported to laboratory immediately and were incubated for 48 h at 37˚C and the experiment temperature was 22-27˚C, and afterwards each sample was counted andtested. At the end, the microorganisms density was determined in term of CFU/M3. Results: The highest average concentration of pollution occurred in Infectious Ward (238.51 CFU/ M3 in spring and 167.02 CFU/M3 in autumn) and the lowest one was related to the CCU, where showed no fungi growth during both seasons. Despite the environment sterilization, the highest percentage of fungi (Aspergillus Niger) and yeast observed in the hospital air was 42.45 percent in spring and 44.26 percent in autumn respectively. Moreover, Staphillus Epidermithis (25.93 percent)and gram-positive bacillus were the highest percentage of bacteria identified in air samples. Conclusion: From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the concentration of bio-aerosols in different hospital wards expect in CCU was more than recommended and similar studies and in terms of species was similar to other studies. Therefore, the hospital authority is recommended to reduce the amount of the pathogenic and environmental bio-aerosols through controlling individual traffic, changing the disinfectants and their applying procedure on the wards surface, establishing standard and suitable ventilation systems.
Mohammad Sadegh Sekhavatjou, Roya Zekavati, Mohsen Peymani Froshani,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (12-2013)
Abstract
Objectives: Many of non-respiratory and respiratory disorders are associated with bioaerosols in indoor and outdoor air. The best conditions for bioaerosols life are high humidity and moderate temperatures, which exist usually in indoor spaces such as the prisons, where density of individual is high. Pathogen spreading centers cause the prisoners health at risk of disease outbreaks through airborne and breathing, sneezing, and coughing. Therefore, the aim of this research work was to measure concentration of particulate matters and also to identify and determine bacteria existing in the prisoners breathing air at high-density areas in one of the prisons and their relationship with each other.
Materials & Method: we conducted this research during summer and winter of 2012. We used TSI apparatus for collecting particles (PM2.5 and PM10). Blood agar and EMB agar media were applied to measure bacteria in indoor air (bedchambers and clinical admission wards) of the prison. According to NIOSH 0800 method, High volume pump with 28.3 L/min flow and a Single-stage Anderson Impactor were used for sampling. The time of measuring for each plate was 2.5 min. Finally, the data achieved were analyzed using SPSS after counting and detecting bacterial colonies grown and determining its density (CFU/m³) for two consecutive seasons of summer and winter. The tests analyzed by SPSS were ANOVA, Post hoc, correlation, and Pearson correlation tests.
Results: Amounts of particulate matter in bedchambers were exceeded than 24-hour EPA limits, while it was less than the limits in clinical admission wards. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were found in three bedchambers (50% of the bedchambers) however, gram-positive bacteria were cultivated only in three bedchambers. The maximum bacterial contamination was measured at the main Lobby of the prison and bedchamber II and the minimum value was observed in admitted patient and TB patient wards. Results showed that there is no significant relationship between the particulate matters and the bacterial density during neither summer nor winter, but there is a strong and direct relationship between the prisoners population density, ventilation systems, and bacterial density n indoor air of the studied prison.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the maximum contamination load and exceeded concentration was observed in public sections and bedchambers. This findings were attributed to the daily entry of new prisoners, high population density in prison, presence of ill prisoners, prisoners with hidden respiratory disease showing no symptoms yet, old building, climatic conditions of the region, low efficiency of ventilation systems, and influx of particulates. To filter and purify prison indoor air, it is crucial to take serious action plans such as reducing criminal population density, sanitary and engineering measures
