RESUMEN
AIMS: The aim of our study was to investigate indoor air quality (IAQ) by comparing pyrogen concentration and microbiological contamination in offices in public buildings. METHODS AND RESULTS: Air samples were collected during cold and warm seasons in 39 offices in four European cities. Pyrogens were measured by the in vitro pyrogen test (IPT), moulds and bacteria by classical microbiology. In 92% of the investigated offices, pyrogen and microbial contaminations were below 150 EEU m(-3) and 10(3) CFU m(-3), respectively, whilst in 75%, moulds did not exceed 10(2) CFU m(-3). CONCLUSIONS: The IPT is a rapid, reliable tool for measuring pyrogens that could be used as an 'early warning' indicator of IAQ. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study on pyrogenic compound detection in offices using IPT, which could serve for developing future indoor air guidelines.
Asunto(s)
Aerosoles/análisis , Microbiología del Aire , Contaminación del Aire Interior/análisis , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Hongos/aislamiento & purificación , Pirógenos/aislamiento & purificación , Bacterias/clasificación , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Hongos/clasificación , Proyectos Piloto , Pirógenos/clasificaciónRESUMEN
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene, and low molecular weight carbonyls like formaldehyde belong to the main air pollutants found in indoor environments. They are suspected to induce acute and chronic adverse health effects like asthma, allergic and cardiovascular diseases, and strongly affect well-being. Our aim was to further develop and optimize an in vitro method to study the exposure of epithelial tumour lung cells (A549) by using a commercial exposure chamber (CULTEX) to assess the biological effects of VOCs and carbonyl compounds at low concentration levels. Exposing the cells to toluene, benzene and formaldehyde at mixing ratios varying from 0.1 to 0.6ppmv in air resulted in reproducible direct effects with the induction of an inflammatory response and a modification of the glutathione redox status.
Asunto(s)
Técnicas de Cultivo de Célula/métodos , Mucosa Respiratoria/efectos de los fármacos , Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles/toxicidad , Contaminación del Aire Interior/efectos adversos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Membrana Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Membrana Celular/patología , Glutatión/metabolismo , Humanos , Inflamación/inducido químicamente , Interleucina-8/metabolismo , L-Lactato Deshidrogenasa/metabolismo , Mucosa Respiratoria/metabolismoRESUMEN
Human epithelial lung cells (A549) were exposed to toluene and benzene in the air as individual compounds and mixtures at concentrations of about 0.25ppmv in a specifically adapted fumigation device. Possible early toxicological effects at cellular level have been determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione redox status (GSH) and comet assay. An hour of exposure to 0.25ppmv of toluene in the air induced DNA damages which were repaired within 24h after the treatment. No DNA damage was detected by applying a similar concentration of benzene, but there was a decrease in the glutathione ratio. Exposure to a mixture of toluene and benzene in air led to an increase in the cytotoxic effect and DNA damage without any further repair, but did not induce any changes in the glutathione redox status.