High levels of suspended particulate matters (PMs) and bioaerosols are created by dental procedures. The present study aimed to evaluate the size and concentration of PMs produced by drilling and ...grinding teeth, and to assess the efficiency of central vacuum system and protective masks for the removal of PMs.
A total of 20 extracted permanent teeth were collected. A novel experimental system and particle counter were used to evaluate the PMs produced by dental procedures and the PM removal efficiency of a central vacuum system and surgical/N95 masks.
The number concentration of total PMs produced by drilling and grinding teeth was significantly higher than the indoor background concentration. The average aerodynamic diameter of particle was generally less than 1 μm. The average number concentration of ultrafine particles was 2.1x1011 particles/m3 during tooth drilling and grinding. The efficiency of the central vacuum system was 35.74% for PM≥0.5 and 35.41% for PM10. For PM≥0.5, the ratios of inside and outside masks were 0.8-1.34 without vacuum and 1.18-1.36 with vacuum. No difference was found with the use of surgical/N95 masks during dental therapy, with or without vacuum use.
High levels of PMs were found during tooth drilling and grinding procedures, especially among PM1. The PM removal efficiency of a central vacuum system and surgical/N95 masks were limited.
Toluene and xylene are common components of surgical smoke, whereas hippuric acid (HA) and methylhippuric acid (MHA) are the products of toluene and xylene metabolism in humans, respectively. HA and ...MHA can be used as indicators to evaluate the exposure hazards of toluene and xylene. In this study, we used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to simultaneously analyze the HA, o-/m-/p-MHA, and creatinine contents in the urine of healthcare personnel. Concentrations of HA and o-/m-/p-MHAs were normalized to those of creatinine and used to analyze urine samples of 160 operating room (OR) healthcare personnel, including administrative staff, surgical nurses, nurse anesthetists, and surgeons. The results showed that the five analytes could be accurately separated and exhibited good linearity (r > 0.9992). The rate of recovery was between 86% and 106%, and the relative standard deviation was less than 5%. Urine from administrative staff presented the highest median concentration of hippuric acid (0.25 g/g creatinine); this was significantly higher than that found in the urine of surgeons (0.15 g/g). The concentrations of urinary o-/m-/p-MHAs in surgical nurses were higher than those in administrative staff, nurse anesthetists, and surgeons. Furthermore, the type, sex, and age of healthcare personnel were associated with changes in urine HA and o-/m-/p-MHA concentrations. Healthcare personnel should be aware of the risk of exposure to surgical smoke.
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•LC-MS/MS was used to analyze the contents of HA and o-/m-/p-MHAs in urine.•The administrative staff had the highest concentration of hippuric acid in urine.•The highest concentration of urinary o-/m-/p-MHAs was found in surgical nurses.•Urinary concentrations of HA and o-/m-/p-MHAs were associated with job type, sex, and age.
The composition and concentration distribution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in surgical smoke had seldomly been reported. This study aimed to investigate the profile of VOCs and their ...concentration in surgical smoke from breast surgery during electrocautery in different tissues, electrosurgical units, and electrocautery powers.
Thirty-eight surgical smoke samples from 23 patients performed breast surgery were collected using evacuated stainless steel canisters. The concentrations of 87 VOCs in surgical smoke samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The human tissues, electrosurgical units, and electrocautery power were recorded.
The median level of total VOCs concentrations in surgical smoke samples from mammary glands (total VOCs: 9953.5 ppb; benzene: 222.7 ppb; 1,3-butadiene: 856.2 ppb; vinyl chloride: 3.1 ppb) using conventional electrosurgical knives were significantly higher than that from other tissues (total VOCs: 365.7–4266.8 ppb, P < 0.05; benzene: 26.4–112 ppb, P < 0.05; 1,3-butadiene: 15.6–384 ppb, P < 0.05; vinyl chloride: 0.6–1.8 ppb, P < 0.05) using different electrosurgical units. A high methanol concentration was found in surgical smoke generated during breast surgery (641.4–4452.5 ppb) using different electrosurgical units. An electrocautery power of ≥ 27.5 watts used for skin tissues produced a higher VOCs concentration (2905.8 ppb).
The surgical smoke samples collected from mammary glands using conventional electrosurgical knives had high VOCs concentrations. The carcinogens (including benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and vinyl chloride) and methanol were found in the surgical smoke samples from different electrosurgical units. The type of electrosurgical unit and electrocautery power used affected VOCs concentrations in surgical smoke.
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•Electrocautery conditions include electrosurgical unit and electrocautery power.•The VOCs concentration in surgical smoke was different among human tissues.•Low levels of VOCs were found in surgical smoke from mammary glands using PEAK.•Higher electrocautery power setting increased of VOCs level in surgical smoke.•It is necessary to reduce the exposure risk of surgical smoke in medical personnel.
To prevent surgical site infection (SSI), the airborne microbial concentration in operating theaters must be reduced. The air quality in operating theaters and nearby areas is also important to ...healthcare workers. Therefore, this study assessed air quality in the post-operative recovery room, locations surrounding the operating theater area, and operating theaters in a medical center. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), and carbon dioxide (CO2), suspended particulate matter (PM), and bacterial concentrations were monitored weekly over one year. Measurement results reveal clear differences in air quality in different operating theater areas. The post-operative recovery room had significantly higher CO2 and bacterial concentrations than other locations. Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. bacteria often existed in the operating theater area. Furthermore, Acinetobacter spp. was the main pathogen in the post-operative recovery room (18%) and traumatic surgery room (8%). The mixed effect models reveal a strong correlation between number of people in a space and high CO2 concentration after adjusting for sampling locations. In conclusion, air quality in the post-operative recovery room and operating theaters warrants attention, and merits long-term surveillance to protect both surgical patients and healthcare workers.
Both air pollution and meteorological factors in metropolitan areas increased emergency department (ED) visits from people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Few studies investigated ...the associations between air pollution, meteorological factors, and COPD-related health disorders in Asian countries. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the environmental factors and COPD-associated ED visits of susceptible elderly population in the largest Taiwanese metropolitan area (Taipei area, including Taipei city and New Taipei city) between 2000 and 2013. Data of air pollutant concentrations (PM10, PM2.5, O3, SO2, NO2 and CO), meteorological factors (daily temperature, relative humidity and air pressure), and daily COPD-associated ED visits were collected from Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration air monitoring stations, Central Weather Bureau stations, and the Taiwan National Health Insurance database in Taipei area. We used a case-crossover study design and conditional logistic regression models with odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for evaluating the associations between the environmental factors and COPD-associated ED visits. Analyses showed that PM2.5, O3, and SO2 had significantly greater lag effects (the lag was 4 days for PM2.5, and 5 days for O3 and SO2) on COPD-associated ED visits of the elderly population (65–79 years old). In warmer days, a significantly greater effect on elderly COPD-associated ED visits was estimated for PM2.5 with coexistence of O3. Additionally, either O3 or SO2 combined with other air pollutants increased the risk of elderly COPD-associated ED visits in the days of high relative humidity and air pressure difference, respectively. This study showed that joint effect of urban air pollution and meteorological factors contributed to the COPD-associated ED visits of the susceptible elderly population in the largest metropolitan area in Taiwan. Government authorities should review existing air pollution policies, and strengthen health education propaganda to ensure the health of the susceptible elderly population.
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•Few studies investigated the relationship between air pollution, meteorological factors, and COPD ED visits in Asia.•PM2.5, O3, and SO2 had greater lag effects on COPD ED visits of the elderly population in Taipei area.•PM2.5 and O3 had a significantly greater impact on elderly COPD-associated ED visits on hot days.•Strong impact existed between O3, SO2 and elderly COPD ED visits on days with higher RH and air pressure.•Joint effect of urban air pollution and meteorological factors was observed on elderly COPD ED visits in Taiwan.
PM2.5, O3, and SO2 had greater lag effects on elderly (65–79 years old) COPD ED visits in Taipei area, especially in days with hot, high relative humidity and air pressure differences.
Background Maintenance of adequate indoor air quality (IAQ) in operating rooms (ORs) is critical to the prevention of nosocomial infection in hospitalized patients. This study evaluated the ...characteristics of IAQ in various ORs in a medical center. Methods Air temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2 ), particulate matter (PM), and bacterial concentrations were monitored in the ORs, and monthly variations were noted. Results The mean CO2 concentrations in the ORs were lower than the suggested level (600 ppm average over 8 hours) set by Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Agency. Positive relationships were found among the number of persons, temperature (Spearman’s rho coefficient rs = 0.19; P < .01), and CO2 concentration ( rs = 0.34; P < .01) in the OR. Bacterial concentration was significantly associated with PM level when adjusted for OR category and the number of persons in the room. Gram-positive bacteria (eg, Bacillus spp, Micrococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp) were frequently found in the monitored ORs. Conclusion The IAQ in the ORs varied significantly from month to month. The number of persons in the OR affected IAQ, and a decreased PM level might indicate reduced microbial contamination in the OR.
For first-time mothers, not knowing how to interact with newborn infants increases anxiety and decreases the quality of the parent-infant interactions. A substantial lack of interactional knowledge ...can ultimately limit the adjustments necessary for a stable transition into motherhood. This study investigated how postpartum parenting education influenced first-time mothers' mother-infant interaction quality and parenting sense of competence.
Eighty-one healthy first-time-mother and infant dyads were recruited. The control group (n = 40) received postpartum care based on the medical and cultural norms practiced in Taiwan, while the experimental group (n = 41) received, on top of typical care, education by way of a 40-min videotape on infant states, behaviors, and communication cues, as well as a handout on play practices. Data were collected at five points: within the first week, and during follow-ups in the first, second, third, and sixth months after birth. We administered the Chinese versions of the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale and Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale, and used the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale to score videotaped mother-infant interactions.
We observed an increase in the quality of mother-infant interaction within the experimental group only. Furthermore, at the five assessment points, we observed no significant changes in perceived parenting competence. Among all subjects, there were correlations between postpartum depression scores, parenting competency, and quality of mother-infant interaction.
Our results indicate that first-time mothers in Taiwan who are provided with extra education on infants' abilities and how to effectively play with infants are likely to exhibit improvements in quality of interaction.
No consistent results from past studies have been found on the relationship between the effects of air pollutant exposure, preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) in fetuses. This study aimed ...to analyze the impact of high concentrations of air pollutants on the health outcomes of fetuses, especially regarding PTB and LBW. This study used keywords related to air pollutants, pregnancy, and birth outcomes, to search the literature within the databases of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase, which were published as of July 26, 2022. A total of 24 studies were included in this meta-analysis. This meta-analysis revealed that nitrogen dioxide (NO
2
) exposure throughout pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of PTB. Maternal exposure to PM
2.5
(particulate matter sized less than 2.5 μm) during gestation was associated with the risk of LBW. The findings of this meta-analysis provide an important foundation for evaluating the relationship between exposure of air pollutants and fetal birth outcomes in countries with severe air pollution in the future.
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