Benzene and ethyl-benzene in the office environmental indoor air of Yazd hospitals

Benzene and ethyl benzene are important indoor air pollutants, even in low amounts in office environment may cause risk for staff. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and determine the amounts of these pollutants in the office environment air of Yazd hospitals. In a cross-sectional study, 18 samples of the air in office units of two hospitals were collected in December 2011. Methods of sampling and measurement were in accordance with the guidelines of the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOSH), using Tedlar bag and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID) were performed. The data were analyzed by SPSS (version 16). The highest average of benzene concentration was seen in management office (1.09±1.28 µg/m3), accountancy (0.59 ± 0.25 µg/m3) and personnel rooms (0.40 ± 0.56 µg/m3. For ethyl-benzene, the highest concentration was observed in personnel room (0.45±0.56 µg/m3), management office (0.18±0.16 µg/m3) and accountancy rooms (0.06±0.00 µg/m3). No significant difference was found between the mean concentration of benzene and ethyl benzene compounds in the office departments (P> 0.05). The mean concentrations in reconstructive office departments was higher than others and it had significant differences (P<0.05). Concentrations of benzene and ethyl-benzene in all office sections of hospital Was in Safe Range. However the concentration of these substances was increased during reconstruction and new decoration.