Volatile Organic Compounds Concentration in the Medical Laboratories

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the air of laboratories in Kurdistan Medical Sciences University and its related factors in 2017. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytic study. After measuring the concentration of volatile organic compounds, the relationship of the factors affecting the concentration of these compounds was determined. In this study, eight laboratories in the health, medical and nursing faculty were entered into the study by the census method. The concentration of volatile organic compounds was measured by using the Phocheck machine of the tiger model, made in England, equipped with a PID bulb. Other variables affecting the concentration of these compounds, including temperature, moisture, type of service provided during the visit, and the type of ventilation in seasons of spring and summer were measured. Then statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.18 software, t-test, and ANOVA. Results: The results of the study showed that the maximum concentrations of organic compounds were related to toluene (mean of concentration 374.61 ppb) and the lowest was related to ethylbenzene (mean of concentration 124.24 ppb). Also, the results showed that there was a significant relationship between the concentration of these compounds and the factors affecting them. Conclusion: Due to the lack of proper ventilation in all laboratories, it is recommended that a suitable ventilation system could be used to reduce the contamination concentration