Analysis of a Particulate Count Loading in a Water-Damaged Hospital

Hill, Elizabeth G., Analysis of a particulate count loading in a water-damaged hospital. Master of Public Health (Environmental Health), December 2007, 44 pp., 8 tables, 12 figures, bibliography, 38 titles. The purpose of this study was to determine whether data from particle counters placed on the ceiling in hospital rooms are comparable to data from particle counters placed on the wall in the same room. A baseline particulate concentration was also determined. An extensive literature review of the subject was performed as well as a statistical analysis of the data. The Spearman’s Rank Correlation showed that particulate concentrations from the ceiling and wall in the 0.3-5 μm size range were significantly correlated, while the particulate concentrations from the ceiling and the wall in the 5+ μm size range were not significantly correlated. The baseline concentrations were then found based on the descriptive statistics of the particulate concentrations taken from the ceiling.