Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Maryam Kheirmand ¹
• Abolfazl Barkhordari ²
• Mohammad Hossain Mosaddegh ³
• Ziba Farajzadegan ¹

¹ Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

² Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

³ Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical, Yazd Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of volatile organic compounds in administration rooms of the hospital. Materials and Methods: The present study assessed indoor concentration levels benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (BTEX) in eight hospitals of Yazd province from January 16 to February 25 of 2012. Management, accounting and personnel rooms were selected as sampling units. Samples collected in three sequential daytimes by Tedlar bag. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detector method was applied for analysis of the component. Results: Total BTEX concentrations were relatively below (<10 μg/m ³ ) in all hospitals. There was no significant difference in amounts of the compounds among studied parts, except for benzene (P < 0.05). According to sampling units, the mean of BTEX component concentrations (in units of μg/m ³ ) were for benzene 1.03 ± 1.21, toluene 0.96 ± 1.79, ethyl benzene 0.78 ± 1.92 and xylene 0.86 ± 0.73, respectively. Conclusion: The accounting unit showed highest concentrations of BTEX that its possible due to usage of the numerous numbers of electronic devices (computers, printer and copier), official supply (ink varnish, adhesive, etc.) and the air-conditioner.

Keywords

• Benzene
• toluene
• ethyl benzene and xylene
• gas chromatography
• hospital
• indoor air
• office building
• solid phase micro extraction