Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate indoor air quality (IAQ) by comparing pyrogen concentration and microbiological contamination in offices in public buildings. Methods and Results: Air samples were collected during cold and warm seasons in 39 offices in four European cities. Pyrogens were measured by the in vitro pyrogen test (IPT), moulds and bacteria by classical microbiology. In 92% of the investigated offices, pyrogen and microbial contaminations were below 150 EEU m)3 and 103 CFU m)3, respectively, whilst in 75%, moulds did not exceed 102 CFU m)3. Conclusions: The IPT is a rapid, reliable tool for measuring pyrogens that could be used as an ‘early warning’ indicator of IAQ. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study on pyrogenic compound detection in offices using IPT, which could serve for developing future indoor air guidelines.
Pyrogenic activity of air to characterize bioaerosol exposurein public buildings: a pilot study
RODOLFI, MARINELLA;PICCO, ANNA MARIA;GRISOLI, PIETRO;DACARRO, CESARE;
2010-01-01
Abstract
Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate indoor air quality (IAQ) by comparing pyrogen concentration and microbiological contamination in offices in public buildings. Methods and Results: Air samples were collected during cold and warm seasons in 39 offices in four European cities. Pyrogens were measured by the in vitro pyrogen test (IPT), moulds and bacteria by classical microbiology. In 92% of the investigated offices, pyrogen and microbial contaminations were below 150 EEU m)3 and 103 CFU m)3, respectively, whilst in 75%, moulds did not exceed 102 CFU m)3. Conclusions: The IPT is a rapid, reliable tool for measuring pyrogens that could be used as an ‘early warning’ indicator of IAQ. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study on pyrogenic compound detection in offices using IPT, which could serve for developing future indoor air guidelines.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
