Evaluation of air quality in intensive care units and its relationship with sick building syndrome in nurses

Indoor air quality can lead to health problems such as Sick Building Syndrome among nurses who spend many hours in intensive care units.The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Sick Building Syndrome in nurses and indoor air quality of intensive care units in educational hospitals in Rasht.

This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on 144 nurses in intensive care units who were randomly selected by quota random sampling. Some of the physical and chemical factors affecting indoor air quality including volatile organic compounds (Ethyl benzene, Xylene, Toluene), carbon monoxide, dust, temperature, humidity, brightness, noise,and airflow velocity were measured by calibrated equipment and symptoms of building syndrome were assessed by the MM040EA questionnaire.

The chemical factors were lower; temperature, humidity and noise were higher and brightness was lower than the recommended minimum. However, no statistically significant relationship was observed between indoor air quality and Sick Building Syndrome.

Although the measured physical and chemical factors in intensive care units were often at the occupational limits. The studied nurses reported poor physical conditions in their workplaces. Identifying and controlling occupational hazards in intensive care units can improve nursing performance by increasing job satisfaction.