Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of office ventilation systems reduces work-related mucosal and respiratory symptoms - 24/08/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.ehbc.2004.03.022

Klaus P Kühn, PhD ^a : Commentry Author, Iris F Chaberny, MD ^b : Commentry Author
^a Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
^b Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany

Abstract

Question

What is the effect of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) in office ventilation systems on worker's health and wellbeing?

Study design

Double blind multiple crossover trial.

Main results

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights significantly reduced the incidence of overall work-related symptoms (14% of symptoms only reported when UVGI on vs. 18% symptoms only reported only when UVGI off; OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 0.99). UVGI significantly reduced work-related mucosal and respiratory symptoms but not systemic or musculoskeletal symptoms (OR for mucosal symptoms 0.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.9; OR for respiratory symptoms 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9; OR for systemic symptoms 1.1, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.3; OR for musculoskeletal symptoms 0.8, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.1). UVGI reduced microbial and endotoxin concentrations on irradiated surfaces within ventilation systems by 99% (95% CI 67% to 100%).

Authors’ conclusions

UVGI may be a cost-effective method of alleviating work-related symptoms caused by microbial contamination of office ventilation systems.

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Keywords : Occupational diseases, Workplace, Ultraviolet rays, Ventilation systems, Cross-over study

Plan

Commentary

Study parameters

Abstracted from: Menzies D, Popa J, Hanley JA et al. Effect of ultraviolet germicidal lights installed in office ventilation systems on workers’ health and wellbeing: double-blind multiple crossover trial. Lancet 2003; 362: 1785–1791.