Health risk assessment of inhalation exposure to dry fogging of hydrogen peroxide in dental clinic during the Covid-۱۹ pandemic

After the outbreak of COVID-۱۹, many dental clinics use dry fogging of hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the air and surfaces. Inhalation of highly concentrated solutions of H۲O۲ can cause severe respiratory problems. The aim of this study was to carry out health risk assessments of inhalation exposure to dry fogging of hydrogen peroxide in dental clinic. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed to determine the inhalation exposure of ۹ dental clinic staffs with H۲O۲ in six rooms and to estimate health risk in Iran in ۲۰۲۱. Occupational exposure to H۲O۲ was assessed using the OSHA VI-۶ method and a personal sampler with flow of ۵۰۰ ml/min connected to a midget fritted-glass impinger containing ۱۵ ml absorbing solution. The health effects of H۲O۲ exposure were assessed using a respiratory symptoms questionnaire. The health risk assessment of inhaled exposure to H۲O۲ was also performed using the method provided by the Singapore occupational health department. The mean respiratory exposure of clinic staffs to H۲O۲ ware ۱.۳ to ۲.۸۳ ppm ranges for six rooms which was above the limits recommended by international organizations. Dyspnoea (۴۴.۴%), cough (۳۳.۳%), and nasal burning (۲۲.۲%) were the most prevalent health problems. The results of risk ranking showed that endodontics and surgery were at medium risk and periodontics, restorative care, orthodontics and prosthetics were at low risk of H۲O۲ exposure. This study confirms that following the manufacturer's instructions and fogging disinfection guide, such as calculating the spraying time based on room volume and using the room after ۳۰ minutes of fogging, can greatly reduce the risk ranking.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hydrogen Peroxide ، Dry Fog ، Inhalation Exposure ، Health Risk Assessment ، Dental Clinic ، Covid-۱۹