Title: | Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Sampling as Support Tools to Detect SARS-CoV-2 in the Healthcare Setting |
Author(s): | Gregorio PHP; Mariani AW; Brito J; Santos BJM; Pego-Fernandes PM; |
Address: | "Thoracic Surgery Department, Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo - Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Drs Gregorio, Mariani, Brito, Santos, and Fernandes)" |
DOI: | 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002284 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1536-5948 (Electronic) 1076-2752 (Print) 1076-2752 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "OBJECTIVES: To evaluate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread inside the healthcare setting using environmental sampling and indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters. METHODS: Ward/ICU rooms had IAQ parameters monitored in real-time, including volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. Surface and three air samples with different exposure times were collected in each room and tested for SARS-CoV-2 using quantitative Rt-PCR. Environmental sampling and IAQ data were compared to provide information about viral spread. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 6/10 rooms and 9/30 air samples, which is proportionally higher than previous studies. Sampling time confirmed to be crucial to viral detection. No correlations between IAQ parameters could be associated with positive/negative samples even when aerosol-generating procedures were performed. CONCLUSION: Environmental sampling of SARS-CoV-2 RNA may be used as an indicator of occupational safety. IAQ is also a potential tool but requires further research" |
Keywords: | "*Air Pollution, Indoor *covid-19 Delivery of Health Care Humans RNA, Viral SARS-CoV-2;" |
Notes: | "MedlineGregorio, Paulo Henrique Peitl Mariani, Alessandro Wasum Brito, Joao Marcelo Lopes Toscano Santos, Bruno Jose Martini Pego-Fernandes, Paulo Manuel eng 2021/11/06 J Occup Environ Med. 2021 Nov 1; 63(11):956-962. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002284" |