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Impact of Filtration Conditions on Air Quality in an Operating Room

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ventilation and filtration conditions on particle concentrations in an orthopedic operating room. Total particle, viable particle, and CO2 concentration were measured under three different situations, namely before air filter replacement, after air filter replacement, and in an operating room with a new air conditioning system. Before air filter replacement, the mean values of airflow, total particle concentration, and viable particle concentration were 706 m3/h, 15.0 × 106 ± 4.0 × 106 particles/m3, and 57 CFU/m3, respectively. After replacement, the airflow increased to 1954 m3/h, and total and viable particle concentrations decreased to 0.4 × 106 ± 0.2 × 106 particles/m3 and 24 CFU/m3, respectively. In the room with a new air conditioning system, the airflow was 2051 m3/h, and total and viable particle concentrations were 0.3 × 106. ± 0.1 × 106 particles/m3 and 15 CFU/m3, respectively. The CO2 levels were 663 ppm (before), 659 ppm (after), and 574 ppm (new room). The results showed that inappropriate or no maintenance of filters in an air conditioning system had significant negative effects on indoor air quality in operating rooms. Air conditioning systems operating with saturated filters can be affected by pressure drop, which can lead to a reduction in airflow, thereby resulting in an increase in the average total particle and viable particle concentrations and the risk of infection in operating rooms. However, the results showed that the CO2 concentration was not affected by the filter replacement.

Article Highlights

  • Improper maintenance of the air filters poses negative effects in operating rooms.

  • Particles remain inside the room with less air exchange caused by saturated filters.

  • Change in filters produces a greater effect on air quality in operating rooms.

  • CO2 concentration generated by the people may not be affected by the filter replacement.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Eng. Tomaz Pulga from the Orthopedics and Traumatology Institute of São Paulo for his immense support. Marcelo Luiz Pereira would like to thank the International Laboratory for Air Quality & Health (ILAQH), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he was a visiting fellow.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Federal de Educacao Ciencia e Tecnologia de Santa Catarina, São José, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    Marcelo Luiz Pereira, Rogério Vilain & Patricia Rocha Kawase

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Arlindo Tribess

  3. International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Lidia Morawska

Authors
  1. Marcelo Luiz Pereira
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  2. Rogério Vilain
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  3. Patricia Rocha Kawase
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  4. Arlindo Tribess
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  5. Lidia Morawska
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Correspondence to Marcelo Luiz Pereira.

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Pereira, M.L., Vilain, R., Kawase, P.R. et al. Impact of Filtration Conditions on Air Quality in an Operating Room. Int J Environ Res 14, 685–692 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-020-00286-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-020-00286-x

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