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This work is proposed to evaluate the use of phytoremediation as a technique to eliminate the particulate matter lower than 10 and 2,5 µm (PM10 y PM2,5, respectively) present in indoor environments due to the associated adverse effects related to the public health damage and the population performance reduction at work level. For this purpose, arrangements made up of 6 ornamental plants readily available were used, such as the green miami (Epipremnum aureum), the aloe (Aloe vera), the peace flower (Spathiphyllum sp.), the curly fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), the syngonium (Syngonium podophyllum) and mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata); which were installed in different dependencies of a higher education institution, where the level of PM2,5 and PM10 was previously determined. Once the arrangements were implemented, these measurements were averaged and compared with the data recorded to estimate their PM2,5 and PM10 removal percentage. In general, the positive effect associated with the implementation of the selected ornamental arrangements was evidenced, especially that one constituted by 2 individuals of Nephrolepis exaltata, in comparison with the dependencies used as a control. Therefore, phytoremediation may be considered as a solution to the environmental problem related to indoor air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air quality is a crucial factor for people's health and well-being, since 90% of many people spend time indoors. The objective of this research was to verify the correlation of carbon dioxide with various study variables. To obtain the concentrations, a direct reading measuring equipment was used and monitoring was carried out for two months (September and October 2021). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied because the data did not follow a normal distribution, and Spearman's correlation was used, the results indicated a (Rho= -0.584; Sig. (bilateral)=0.00< p=0 0.05), which shows that there is a negative moderate inverse significant correlation between CO2 and ventilation, with respect to carbon dioxide and humidity, has a Spearman coefficient (Rho= -0.180; Sig. (bilateral)=0.315< p=0.05), so there is a very weak inverse negative correlation, in the same way a Spearman coefficient is observed (Rho= 0.130; Sig. (bilateral)=0.470< p=0.05, In conclusion, it is showed a moderate negative correlation between carbon dioxide and ventilation, which means that the higher the concentration of carbon dioxide, the lower the ventilation. Therefore, it is important that windows exist in work environments to ensure adequate ventilation. and create a healthy environment that does not harm people's health and reduces the risk of contagion of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Legado de Arquitectura y Diseño is the property of Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Child Development Centers aim to provide multidisciplinary care for the population of children, a sector particularly susceptible to respiratory diseases due to the presence of fungal microorganisms that are dispersed by air currents in the spaces where users are. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to evaluate the fungal concentration of the indoor air of the Child Development Center of the University of Sonora, identify the taxonomy of the isolates and describe the possible pathogenicity for human health. From May 2 to May 27, 89 samples were taken from 17 places where minors are present and from a control point. Static samplings were carried out at a height of one meter, using SAS SUPER 100 equipment and sedimentation on Petri dishes with Agar Sabouraud culture medium. By the imprint technique, 14 fungal genera were identified. Among the predominant ones are Cladosporium spp., Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., with 31%, 26% and 16%, respectively. The highest fungal concentration detected was 53 CFU/m3, a value lower than considered dangerous due to indoor air pollution by various government institutions around the world. However, species of clinical interest of the genus Aspergillus were identified, with A. niger predominant in all the sites, followed by A. ochraceus, A. flavus, A. versicolor and A. fumigatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural ventilation has become one of the most effective and sustainable strategies to address COVID-19 in confined spaces. Air intake through windows and other openings improves the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of a classroom, decreases the likelihood of respiratory disease transmission with an adequate social distance of about 1.5 m and is affordable in terms of energy consumption. In this study, a comparison of CO2 concentration, wind speed, number of people, type of ventilation and window surfaces of a school in a Mediterranean climate is carried out for 4 different cases of opening. For this purpose, CO2 levels were measured in different classrooms with different window openings (33%, 67%, 81% and 100% respectively). In addition, three types of ventilation (cross ventilation, partial cross ventilation and multidirectional ventilation) were analyzed in a time period between February and March 2021. The results show an interaction between CO2 levels and the type of ventilation. Thus, the fact that the window surface is a critical factor in reducing CO2 concentrations was determined, considering that the distance between students was approximately 1.5 m. Therefore, the orientation of buildings towards the predominant wind direction and the Window to Floor Ratio (WFR) should be reconsidered in new constructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of DYNA - Ingeniería e Industria is the property of Publicaciones Dyna SL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Hospital work environment contains various biological and chemical exposures that can affect indoor air quality and have impact on respiratory health of the staff. The objective of this study was to investigate potential effects of occupational exposures on the risk of respiratory symptoms and lung function in hospital work, and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and occupational exposures. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 228 staff members in a hospital and 228 employees of an office building as the reference group in Shiraz, Iran. All subjects completed a standardized ATS respiratory questionnaire and performed a spirometry test. Results: In Poisson regression, the adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) among the hospital staff were elevated for cough (aPR 1.90, 95% CI 1.15, 3.16), phlegm production (aPR 3.21, 95% CI 1.63, 6.32), productive cough (aPR 2.83, 95% CI 1.48, 5.43), wheezing (aPR 3.18, 95% CI 1.04, 9.66), shortness of breath (aPR 1.40, 95% CI 0.93, 2.12), and chest tightness (aPR 1.73, 95% CI 0.73, 4.12). Particularly laboratory personnel experienced increased risks of most symptoms. In linear regression adjusting for confounding, there were no significant differences in lung function between the hospital and office workers. There was an indication of synergism between hospital exposures and current smoking on FEV1/FVC% (interaction term β = −5.37, 95% CI −10.27, −0.47). Conclusions: We present significant relations between hospital work, especially in laboratories, and increased risks of respiratory symptoms. Smoking appears to enhance these effects considerably. Our findings suggest that policymakers should implement evidence-based measures to prevent these occupational exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magazine "Memoria Investigaciones en Ingeniería" has published its 25th edition, standing out for its commitment to the dissemination of research and innovations in engineering and technology. The magazine is a free platform for researchers and professionals in Ibero-America, and is indexed in Latindex, DOAJ, and WoS. This edition features fourteen articles that address various topics related to engineering and technology, such as indoor air quality and its relationship with COVID-19, innovation in education, dynamic characterization of buildings, structural analysis of buildings, mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced polymers, the development of time and frequency patterns, the challenges of software engineering in quantum computing, the impact of nanoparticles on cylindrical-parabolic concentrators, and the environmental impacts of oil activity in the Amazon region of Peru. The magazine thanks the reviewers from different countries for their participation in this edition. [Extracted from the article]