Document KQ26e6Kq8ZqBvvD0a1r70GMK

144 CHAPTER. .10~; v 1965 Guide And Data Book Cleaning and purification are necessary for safe use in the hospital. A surface or subsurface burst of an atomic bomb will re sult in a wide dispersion of airborne radioactive particles.41 Windows of buildings within a three-mile radius from the point of detonation of a 20 KT bomb will be broken, and consequently, no appreciable protection will be afforded by the use of conventional air-conditioning systems under these conditions. Beyond the three-mile radius many structures may be found with windows undamaged and otherwise caps-' ble of providing some degree of protection from airborne radioactive particles by .the utilization of an air-conditioning system. However, conventional air-conditioning systems should not be relied upon for protection in urban structures which may be utilized in the accomplishment of specific mis-' sons following ah atomic detonation. Special techniques and devices are available to provide this protection. The smog incident in Donora, Pa., in 1948 focused the at tention of health authorities and engineers on the problem of air contamination-by the gaseous wastes discharged into' the air above cities. The U. S. Public Health team investi gating the incident0 found that in this city several previous incidences of lesser severity had occurred during the pre ceding 30 years as indicated by an increase of mortality rates during certain periods. A high percentage of the popu lation suffered to some extent during the 1948 smog. Older individuals particularly were seriously affected with cardio respiratory symptoms. The exact way in which the contaminants due to gaseous wastes affect the human being is unknown.41 It is believed that the combination of contaminants rather' than any single substance produces the toxic effects. The medical profession has much to learn about the effects of contaminants on'human beings as a basis for determining when precise controls are needed.4* PROBLEM OF ODORS Experiences in the evacuation of battle casualties in air craft and their subsequent hospitalization have stimulated efforts to find ways of minimising odors arising from drain- ^ ing wounds, old odorous casts, and gangrenous wounds. For aircraft, chemical sprays and vapors, perfumes, oxidizing gases and simple exhaust methods are unsatisfactory. An ideal deodorant would purify the air by means of odor adsorption so that subsequently the air could be recirculated. Individual adsorption units, utilizing the effectiveness of acti vated carbon, have been successfully employed to adsorb odors in-commercial and industrial applications. MAINTENANCE OF AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS New hospitals are often designed with air-conditioning syBr terns in the wards. More and more often air conditioning is added to buildings. Many of the problems which besiege hospitals are created in the designer's office. Basic errors, such as air inlets that are soon contaminated and necessitate a major revision, creep into the design. Moreover, in .the necessity for saving space, units are so placed that maintenance becomes well-nigh impossible.' Since most'hospitals are in economic difficulty, an effort is made to reduce the, cost of equipment. Air-conditioning equip ment takes its share of such depredations, which never fail to incur hazards in such a case. ' Since most hospitals are not staffed by mechanics expert in the maintenance of air-conditioning equipment, adequate preventive maintenance is not available. Repairs are made when the equipment fails to work, or the occupants are overheated and underventilated. Also, for months without service electronic air filters may be broken and ionizer wires shorted out, leaving a good system in a sub-par condition. ' CONCLUSION References on hospital air conditioning do. not always recommend complete air conditioning, yet there is direct evi-' dence of the necessity for complete atmospheric environ mental control for patients with heart and lung disease, pre mature infants, and patients undergoing long 'operations. Air conditioning is required in order to provide the required conditions under proper controL .Hie results with regard to health that can be achieved by a perfect air-conditioning system are evident from the opera tion of a U. S. submarine44 submerged for 61 days without surfacing and without encountering any. problems, either physically or psychically, in connection with the personnel of 116 men. This fine medical record was made in spite of the opportunity for gross contamination from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, refrigerants, radon, and a wealth of bac terial viral organisms. REFERENCES 1 E. F. 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