台北市長期照護機構生物性環境暴露評估

We investigated five long-term care facilities in Taipei, Taiwan to determine the distribution of biological contaminants and to assess worker' exposure to these contaminants. A one-week intensive environmental sampling was performed at each study facility. We mouitored culturable fungi and bacteria in indoor air, near AC (air conditioning) diffusers, and outdoors as well as temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 levels. Facilities D and E had the highest (1444.32 CFU/m^3) and lowest (426.69 CFU/m^3) fungal concentrations respectively among the study facilities. Facilities C and D had higher bacterial levels (811.83 CFU/m^3 and 802.42 CFU/m^3, respectively) than other study facilities, and facility E had the lowest bacterial level (282.12 CFU /m^3). Based on the multiple regression analyses, fungal levels were associated with relative humidity, sampling time, and building age; bacterial concentrations correlated with CO2 levels, number of people, and facilities. In summary, biological exposure in long-term care facilities mainly results from inadequate environment and AC/HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) system cleaning and insufficient ventilation rates. Therefore, better AC/HVAC (Heating, V'entilating and Air Conditioning) cleaning and proper ventilation should be implemented in long term care facilities to decrease the biological exposure of residents and workers.