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The present report is a research on air samples taken in the operating theatres environment in the hospitals of Umbria to control in order the concentration of anaesthetics in use and to define ambient pollution and to propose changes. The A.A. have divided operating theatres in for groups to analyze the data: 1) operating theatres where there were both systems: air change system and air intake system; 2) operating theatres where there was only the air-change system; 3) operating theatres where there was only the air intake system; 4) operating theatres where there were no systems. These data have been compared with the limit values advised by N.I.O.S.H. The lowest value of pollution have been recorded in those operating theatres with both systems. The A.A. have also compared the ethrane or other alogenated anaesthetics values in the air-change system equipped operating theatres with those (values) found in the intake-air system equipped operating theatres. The lowest values have been recorded in those operating theatres with normal air-change system. Where changes have been made to improve the operating theatres environment, the A.A. have effectuated new controls and found lower values of the anaesthetics levels. The concentration of anaesthetics appeared lower then before.

The proceedings of animal body waste salvage plants are-as you know-connected with intense smell importunities of the immediate environment. Suited desodorization plants are required to limit this problem of the environmental hygiene. The presupposition for a high effectiveness of these plants is to know the qualitative composition of the exhaust air, the analysis of which is the subject of the article in hand.

The rooftop air intakes are in close proximity to the fume hood exhaust vents on the roof of the attached chemistry buildings (Fulmer Hall and Fulmer Annex) at Washington State University. Complaints resulted from the apparent re-entry of hazardous and odorous exhaust vapors and gases returning into the building fresh air supplies. An atmospheric tracer study of the flow patterns and exhaust gas dilution rates determined the suitability of other potential air intake locations. Isopleth maps showed concentration patterns for tests conducted during the different wind regimes (southwest prevailing winds and substantial wintertime southeast periods). As expected, the observed dilution rates were greater than the conservative minimum dilution rates calculated from models. Tracer gas concentrations indicated large areas over which odor thresholds would exceeded for vapors resulting from typical evaporation rates of solvents. Tracer gas concentrations at the building air intakes were about the same as inside building concentrations because little dilution occurred between the intakes and building interiors. Significant infiltration was observed due to negative building pressure relative to outside. The recommendation to move the intakes down the south building walls is being followed since roof-level concentrations are typically a factor of ten or more higher than below-roof levels.

The esophageal obturator airway (EOA), esophagogastric tubular airway (EGT) and endotracheal (ET) intubation are compared as they relate to blood gases during CPR. Although statistically better levels of gases are obtained with the endotracheal tube in patients who had an EOA inserted previously, no difference in survival is noted in a separate prospective and retrospective series of patients in whom the devices were used in the field. Furthermore, there was no difference in morbidity, neurologic deficit, or functional capacity. In three of five series in which physician-directed CPR was carried out, there was no difference observed in PO2 levels when the EOA and ET tube were used consecutively, and patients with fixed volume ventilators on 100 percent oxygen have statistically similar blood gas levels with the EOA as they do with the endotracheal tube. It would appear that patients with a PO2 of less than 60 mm Hg do not tend to survive. The endotracheal tube remains the gold standard, although its universal use is impractical, while the EOA would appear to be an effective alternative and an important airway adjunct in the prehospital phase of CPR.

Experiments using the directed push-pull ventilation technique were conducted on a general type of local exhaust ventilation installation. The exhaust (pull) system consisted of a square hood, while the push system consisted of one or two slot jets or two round jets. The two slot or round jets were located behind and beside a mannequin (the mannequin simulated the worker's position). The one slot jet was located between the smoke source and the mannequin. Under experimental conditions, the push-pull system reduced the amount of smoke in the mannequin's breathing zone even when the exhaust system volume flow rate necessary for capture of the smoke decreased approximately 50%. Generally, no difference between the slot and round jet control performance was found. The experiments showed that the directed push-pull ventilation system can be used effectively to reduce the contaminant emission into a workroom, if the jets are located so that the eddy currents induced by the worker or other obstructions are minimized or eliminated.

Environmental tobacco smoke is of serious concern in ventilated spaces both for comfort because of its odor properties and for health reasons. Although it has not been demonstrated as the primary cause in complaints, it is frequently seen as a contributing factor. Recirculation of air with ETS, without filtration or air-washing, may in fact lead to complaints, although at an unknown frequency. Finally, the contributions of ETS to the sick building syndrome is documented, although its extent is currently unknown.

Anesthetic gas spillage does occur in the operating room. Anesthesiologists and other operating room personnel are likely exposed to health hazards caused by chronic exposure to anesthetic gases and vapours. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the possible relationship between the chronic exposure to anesthetic gases and their adverse effects on the health. Present data, while controversial, do not establish a cause-effect relationship. Nevertheless, until solid data refutes the existence of a health hazard for operating room personnel, the anesthesiologist must try to reduce the anesthetic contamination level, with preventive and technical measures.

The microflora of the air in university lecture rooms was examined with the sedimentation method. For this purpose blood agar (20 degrees C and 37 degrees C), saline agar and Endo plates were used. The germ counts identified correlate to the size and utilization of the rooms. The lowest germ count was determined in the room used for practical work, which was followed by the lecture room. The newly built lecture room contained the highest colony count. The floor ventilation furnishes an explanation for this. Most of the colonies were Gram-positive cocci (micrococci, indifferent streptococci, sarcins). Aerobic spore-forming organisms were found to be present in smaller quantities than cocci. Fungi, mainly, moulds grew better at a temperature of 20 centigrade. The microbiological monitoring of air forms an important part of environmental protection. Great importance can be attached to a stardization of the air germ count in the prevention of airborne infections.

The objective of this article is to provide the reader with a basic knowledge of the operation of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and to explain why many systems do not perform correctly. The flow of air through a typical HVAC system is described, and the correlation between system components and their potential to affect indoor air quality is addressed.