Title: Assessment of thermal comfort and indoor air quality in an operating theatre environment

Authors: Lucas D'ávila; Manuel Feliciano; Márcia Agustini; Paula Baptista; Thayane Ribeiro; Maria de Fátima Domingues; Ermelinda Lopes Pereira

Addresses: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Medianeira, Brazil ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal ' Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal ' Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253, Bragança, Portugal ' Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal

Abstract: The indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential for human comfort and health. This study aimed at assessing physical, chemical and biological parameters in the IAQ of an operating theatre. Particulate matter (PM) was measured by the TSI optical particle sizer and physical and gaseous chemical IAQ parameters were measured using the GrayWolf IQ610 probe. Airborne microbial levels were evaluated by direct impaction to the culture media. The lowest pollutants concentrations, bioaerosols and gaseous contaminants were observed in surgery rooms and the highest in the transfer zone and antechamber. The mechanical ventilation proved to be a determining factor on the pollutant's distribution. It was also found a strong correlation between PM and bacteria (R² = 0.81) and fungi (R² = 0.95) levels. The relative humidity has shown unfavourable levels to assure proper thermal comfort. Factors such as cleaning frequency, occupancy rate and especially the HVAC system significantly influenced the evaluated parameters.

Keywords: indoor air quality; IAQ; operating room; bacteria; fungi; particulate matter.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2022.125621

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2022 Vol.15 No.2/3/4, pp.183 - 205

Accepted: 20 Apr 2022
Published online: 16 Sep 2022 *

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