Air pollution studies.

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the research in the area of air pollution, carried out exclusively at the Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health and performed by the scientists of the Institute. For the past fifty years, air quality has been studied at work, in the ambient air of urban and industrial areas, and in various indoor environments without occupational exposure. Methods for sampling and measuring air pollutants have been introduced or developed and verified. The behaviour and the fate of air pollutants in the environment have also been investigated. Since the primary goal of the studies was to assess the extent of human exposure to air pollutants, the data were used to calculate the risk for various population groups. A dynamic model of exposure for various population groups relied on calculations of collected data, taking into account time spent in various microenvironments. This text describes the cooperation of the Institute with other institutions and agencies on the national and international level and outlines the current and prospective activities.

[Formaldehyde in the environment and its effect on health]. / Formaldehid u okolisu i njegov utjecaj na zdravlje.

The presence of formaldehyde in the environment is due to natural processes and to man-made sources. It is produced in large quantities and has varied applications. One of the most common uses is in urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehyde resins. There are several indoor environmental sources that can result in human exposure including furniture containing formaldehyde-based resins, building materials, paints, disinfectants, carpets etc. Emphasis is placed on indoor formaldehyde levels and on the ways of their reduction or elimination.

Sick building syndrome--a case study in Zagreb.

Sick building syndrome was investigated in a newly built office building. Information about health complaints from the employees was obtained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Measurements of microclimate conditions and air pollution levels confirmed that the employees' complaints were justified. Because of a high percentage of complaints, the questionnaire was evaluated by means of factor analysis. The results showed logical grouping of the complaints and/or symptoms, suggesting credibility of the answer. Factor analysis proved to be an appropriate tool for detecting and evaluating sick building syndrome.

Indoor concentration levels of selected pollutants and household characteristics.

As part of a large health effect-related human exposure study conducted in the city of Zagreb, Republic of Croatia (Sega and Fugas, 1987), NO2, NH3, HCHO, and settled dust concentrations were measured during winter and summer periods in the kitchens and living rooms of 90 homes throughout the city. Characteristics of households and household members were recorded and correlated with the pollutant concentration levels. The results indicate that household characteristics may be useful for predicting human exposure to air pollutants.

Comparative sampling of hydrogen fluoride with passive and active samplers.

The paper presents a review of passive methods for sampling of hydrogen fluoride. The applicability of these methods for both evaluation of worker personal exposure and area monitoring is discussed. Two passive samplers were used: AREA/EPA and IMROH. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of passive samplers in comparison with the current NIOSH analytical procedure for determining ambient levels of hydrogen fluoride involving sample collection in a bubbler or an impinger with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide. The sampling rates of the samplers were derived from Fick's First Law of Diffusion. The samples were analysed quickly and easily with a fluoride ion-selective electrode. The results of the tests indicated that the AREAL/EPA sampler design is better suited for measuring worker personal exposure and gives better correlation with the reference method (r2 = 0.66554).