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Indoor Air Quality and Sustainability Management—Case Study in Three Portuguese Healthcare Units

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Fonseca

    (UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Isabel Abreu

    (UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Maria João Guerreiro

    (UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Cristina Abreu

    (UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Ricardo Silva

    (UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

  • Nelson Barros

    (UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit (FP-ENAS), University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Adequate management of indoor air quality (IAQ) in healthcare units has relevant impacts on sustainability performance due to its effects on patient safety, occupational health and safety, and energy consumptions. This study sought to identify improvement opportunities on IAQ management by collecting and analyzing experimental data of selected parameters in three healthcare units in Portugal: Two general hospitals and one primary healthcare center. Indoor air temperature, relative humidity, CO 2 , bacteria, and fungi concentrations were measured in summer and winter campaigns in June/July 2017 and in January/March 2018. Results show that the exclusive use of natural ventilation is not adequate when the affluence of users is high, but the analyzed parameters revealed acceptable results under low occupation intensity conditions. Results also show that keeping low indoor air relative humidity has a significant impact in reducing fungi concentration and that there is a significant correlation at the 0.05 level between indoor air CO 2 concentration and bacterial loads. Therefore, as opportunities to improve sustainability, IAQ management in healthcare facilities should consider natural ventilation as a complement to mechanical ventilation systems and should focus on adequate control of indoor air relative humidity and CO 2 concentration to reduce the risk of airborne infections.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Fonseca & Isabel Abreu & Maria João Guerreiro & Cristina Abreu & Ricardo Silva & Nelson Barros, 2018. "Indoor Air Quality and Sustainability Management—Case Study in Three Portuguese Healthcare Units," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:101-:d:193038
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mohamed Marzouk & Mohamed Atef, 2022. "Assessment of Indoor Air Quality in Academic Buildings Using IoT and Deep Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.

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