Hsu Chien-Tien, Hsu Shih-Chang, Huang Shau-Ku, Lee Chon-Lin, Shieh Yi-Shing
Department of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Emergency Department, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
J Dent Sci. 2022 Jul;17(3):1350-1355. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2022.03.011. Epub 2022 Apr 7.
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Documented studies demonstrated that particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) are relatively high in dental clinics. However, the PM2.5 composition is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the dental department's air quality in a teaching hospital.
The SKC AirChek XR5000 pumps and canister samplers were used to collect PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The PM2.5 composition analysis (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals) was conducted, and in the dental clinic and waiting room, the air quality comparison was investigated. Moreover, the dental clinic's air quality was compared before and after air purifier use.
In the dental clinic and waiting room, the results revealed high PM2.5 concentration exceeding the standard of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (35 μg/m); the values were 41.08-108.23 μg/m and 17.89-62.72 μg/m, respectively. In both investigated locations, VOCs had no significant difference. Among 16 priority PAHs, the result indicated high level of benzo(b)fluoranthene (B(b)f), benzo(k)fluoranthene (B(k)f), benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)p), and indenopyrene (IP). B(b)f and B(k)f and lead (Pb) concentrations were detected with a significant difference in the clinic as compared to the waiting room. In addition, after air purifier use, the B(b)f concentration in the dental clinic reduced from 0.08 to 0.42 ug/m to 0.06-0.18 ug/m ( < 0.05).
For dental practitioners, an appropriated air quality regulation needs to be considered, due to high air pollutant concentration. In addition, using air purifier can efficiently reduce air pollutants.
背景/目的：有记录的研究表明，牙科诊所中的细颗粒物2.5（PM2.5）含量相对较高。然而，PM2.5的成分尚不清楚。本研究旨在评估一家教学医院牙科科室的空气质量。
使用SKC AirChek XR5000泵和罐式采样器收集PM2.5和挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）。进行了PM2.5成分分析（多环芳烃（PAHs）和金属），并对牙科诊所和候诊室的空气质量进行了比较。此外，还比较了使用空气净化器前后牙科诊所的空气质量。
在牙科诊所和候诊室，结果显示PM2.5浓度很高，超过了美国环境保护局（USEPA）的标准（35μg/m）；数值分别为41.08 - 108.23μg/m和17.89 - 62.72μg/m。在两个调查地点，VOCs没有显著差异。在16种优先PAHs中，结果表明苯并（b）荧蒽（B（b）f）、苯并（k）荧蒽（B（k）f）、苯并（a）芘（B（a）p）和茚并芘（IP）含量较高。与候诊室相比，诊所中检测到的B（b）f和B（k）f以及铅（Pb）浓度存在显著差异。此外，使用空气净化器后，牙科诊所中的B（b）f浓度从0.08至0.42μg/m降至0.06 - 0.18μg/m（P < 0.05）。
由于空气污染物浓度较高，牙科从业者需要考虑适当的空气质量监管措施。此外，使用空气净化器可以有效降低空气污染物。
