Health Risk Assessment of Indoor Air Quality Exposure Among Healthcare Workers in a Community Hospital, Khon Kaen Province

Chananya Panikhom, Sunisa Chaiklieng — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0700

This study is a cross-sectional descriptive research aimed at evaluating indoor air quality and health risks in 11 hospital areas. Ten parameters were analyzed temperature, relative humidity, air movement, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), formaldehyde, total bacteria, and total fungi. Data were collected using indoor air quality monitoring instruments and questionnaires from 159 hospital staff. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and median, were analyzed using STATA 10.0. The study covered 11 areas, comprising 4 inpatient wards (74 participants), 1 outpatient ward (15 participants), 3 procedure rooms (40 participants), and 3 laboratories (30 participants). Four parameters exceeded standard levels temperature (25.85 ± 2.29°C), relative humidity (62.79 ± 8.69%), PM2.5 (38.91 ± 15.71 µg/m³), and PM10 (53.3 ± 19.49 µg/m³). Although formaldehyde levels (3.41 ± 1.48 μg/m³) were below the 8-hour exposure standard, prolonged exposure (over 10 years) increases cancer risk, especially in laboratories with the highest formaldehyde levels (1.111 x 10^-6). This risk is greater in laboratories compared to other departments. Outpatient wards showed elevated temperature and particulate matter, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases. The study highlights the potential long-term health impacts of indoor air quality issues on hospital staff. Regular indoor air quality assessments and health risk evaluations are essential to implement preventive measures and maintain workplace safety for hospital staff.

Editorial team

Monruedee Sukprasansap — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Thai Journal of Toxicology

Health Risk Assessment of Indoor Air Quality Exposure Among Healthcare Workers in a Community Hospital, Khon Kaen Province

Editorial team