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Volatile Organic Compounds in Anatomical Pathology Wards: Comparative and Qualitative Assessment of Indoor Airborne Pollution

Author

Listed:
  • Massimo Cipolla

    (Mutagenesis Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino IST, Genoa 16132, Italy)

  • Alberto Izzotti

    (Mutagenesis Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino IST, Genoa 16132, Italy
    Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa 16132, Italy)

  • Filippo Ansaldi

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa 16132, Italy
    Hospital Direction, IRCCS AOU San Martino IST, Genoa 16132, Italy)

  • Paolo Durando

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa 16132, Italy
    Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino IST, Genoa 16132, Italy)

  • Maria Teresa Piccardo

    (Mutagenesis Unit, IRCCS AOU San Martino IST, Genoa 16132, Italy)

Abstract

The impact of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on indoor air quality and on human health is widely recognized. However, VOC contamination in hospital indoor air is rarely studied and chemical compounds that singularly do not show high toxicity are not submitted to any regulation. This study aimed to compare VOC contamination in two different anatomical pathology wards in the same hospital. Hydrocarbons, alcohols, and terpenes were sampled by passive diffusive samplers. Analytical tests were performed by thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detector. Results highlighted a different VOC pollution in the two wards, due to the structural difference of the buildings and different organizational systems. The scarcity of similar data in the literature shows that the presence of VOCs in pathology wards is an underestimated problem. We believe that, because of the adverse effects that VOCs may have on the human health, this topic is worth exploring further.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Cipolla & Alberto Izzotti & Filippo Ansaldi & Paolo Durando & Maria Teresa Piccardo, 2017. "Volatile Organic Compounds in Anatomical Pathology Wards: Comparative and Qualitative Assessment of Indoor Airborne Pollution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-8, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:6:p:609-:d:100771
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chung-Yen Lu & Jia-Min Lin & Ying-Yi Chen & Yi-Chun Chen, 2015. "Building-Related Symptoms among Office Employees Associated with Indoor Carbon Dioxide and Total Volatile Organic Compounds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alessandra Cincinelli & Tania Martellini, 2017. "Indoor Air Quality and Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-5, October.

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