Indoor Air Quality and Smoking Control in Healthcare Environments in Northern China

Abstract

Background: Air pollution has adverse effects on human health, while people experience regular contact with air pollutants in a high concentration via inhalation and ingestion. Nowadays, the average person spends more than 90% of their lifetime inside both private and public buildings, and this figure can reach close to 100% for the sick or elderly who cannot take care of themselves. Attention should be paid to indoor air quality (IAQ), especially for certain groups in specific places. Purpose: This study intends to investigate indoor air quality in a large general hospital in Northern China, where people desire clean air for good nursing, and then propose solutions to any air pollution present. Methods: Some influential factors related to air pollution, including PM2.5 and PM10, were measured in winter. Observations were applied to indicate that the smoking behaviors of medical staff were an important contributor to air pollution. Experimental measurements were designed to test the concentration of airborne nicotine. Questionnaire surveys and follow-up interviews were conducted to understand attitudes towards smoking behaviors and offer design strategies. Results: The scopes of 24 h mean concentrations of PM2.5 (10.2~57.8 µg/m3, 17.5~45.5 µg/m3, and 20.5~91.1 µg/m3) and PM10 (17.7~81.8 µg/m3, 13.0~83.8 µg/m3, and 31.7~188.1 µg/m3) exceeded relevant guideline values, and the airborne nicotine concentrations (1.29 µg/m3 and 1.62 µg/m3) confirmed that smoking behaviors occurred in the consulting room. Conclusions: To control tobacco to ensure good indoor air quality, smoking behaviors should be managed instead of forbidden. This will also provide greater satisfaction to medical staff. Smoking behavior management requires a comprehensive consideration based on ambient conditions and psychological demands. As there is a lack of specific requirements in relevant design regulations that are tailored to ensure the environmental satisfaction of medical staff, the findings from this study can be used as evidence to inform the design of healthcare environments for public health in future.