Lidia Morawska

Bio: Lidia Morawska is an academic researcher from Queensland University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Particle number & Ultrafine particle. The author has an hindex of 100, co-authored 746 publications receiving 95412 citations. Previous affiliations of Lidia Morawska include University of Surrey & Jinan University.

Application of multi-metric approach to characterization of particle emissions from nanotechnology and non-nanotechnology processes

Abstract: We assessed particle emission, using a three-tiered assessment process, to identify points of particle emission, temporal and spatial size and number concentration and to validate engineering controls in relation to selected nanotechnology processes and during the operation of laser printers.

The impact of windows, daylight and views of nature on health and wellbeing in healthcare facilities

Abstract: The design characteristics of healthcare facilities have an effect on the health and wellbeing of patients and staff, and there has been growing awareness among healthcare administrators and medical professionals of the need to create a healing, ‘psychologically supportive’ environment that supports wellbeing and helps patients cope with the stress that accompanies illness. We reviewed the influence of windows on human health and wellbeing in healthcare facilities. We searched for literature (using Pubmed search) related to the effects of daylight and views of nature through windows, which were found to have several positive effects on health and wellbeing. According to the literature, daylight has been associated with improved recovery rates, alleviated pain, improved sleep, reduced length of stay, improved mood and reduced need for analgesia among patients. For staff, the reported positive effects of daylight were reduced absenteeism and errors, increased positive attitudes, improved mood, reduced fatigue, reduced eyestrain and improved job satisfaction. Similarly, views of nature have been associated with reduced anxiety and pain, mood improvement, lower blood pressure, shorter postoperative hospital stays, increased satisfaction with nursing care, decreased use of potent analgesics by patients, greater job satisfaction, and improved performance and productivity of staff. The findings of this literature review provide a good understanding of the impact of windows on health and wellbeing, and this information can be used to guide the design of beneficial indoor environments in healthcare facilities and other institutions.

Impact of Filtration Conditions on Air Quality in an Operating Room

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ventilation and filtration conditions on particle concentrations in an orthopedic operating room. Total particle, viable particle, and CO2 concentration were measured under three different situations, namely before air filter replacement, after air filter replacement, and in an operating room with a new air conditioning system. Before air filter replacement, the mean values of airflow, total particle concentration, and viable particle concentration were 706 m3/h, 15.0 × 106 ± 4.0 × 106 particles/m3, and 57 CFU/m3, respectively. After replacement, the airflow increased to 1954 m3/h, and total and viable particle concentrations decreased to 0.4 × 106 ± 0.2 × 106 particles/m3 and 24 CFU/m3, respectively. In the room with a new air conditioning system, the airflow was 2051 m3/h, and total and viable particle concentrations were 0.3 × 106. ± 0.1 × 106 particles/m3 and 15 CFU/m3, respectively. The CO2 levels were 663 ppm (before), 659 ppm (after), and 574 ppm (new room). The results showed that inappropriate or no maintenance of filters in an air conditioning system had significant negative effects on indoor air quality in operating rooms. Air conditioning systems operating with saturated filters can be affected by pressure drop, which can lead to a reduction in airflow, thereby resulting in an increase in the average total particle and viable particle concentrations and the risk of infection in operating rooms. However, the results showed that the CO2 concentration was not affected by the filter replacement.

Particle Emissions from Laser Printers: Have They Decreased?

Abstract: Our work a decade ago demonstrated that approximately 30% of the laser printers tested were high emitters of ultrafine particles (<0.1 μm). To assess how emission levels of the current generation of printers compared to the earlier models, we investigated 297 printers comprising 138 models from 12 different manufacturers, with the measurements conducted in Brisbane, Australia, and Cassino, Italy. In addition to particle number (PN—the majority of which are ultrafine particles), some of the printers were also tested for the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Based on the ratios of, respectively, PN and VOC concentrations above the printer before and after test printing, the printers were divided into four classes of emitters: nonemitters and low, medium, and high emitters. Our study showed that although different printer models were investigated in Brisbane and in Cassino, the distributions according to emitter classes were similar for PN emissions, with a high percentage of nonemitters and low PN emitters. In Brisbane, there were also mainly nonemitters and low VOC emitters, with, however, a higher percentage of VOC than PN emitters. In general we found that the emission levels were not intrinsic characteristics of specific brands or models of the printers. Finally, compared to the situation before 2007, large commercial printers have improved in terms of particle emissions; however, there has not been an obvious improvement over desktop printers.

Suppression of Cluster Ions during Rapidly Increasing Particle Number Concentration Events in the Environment

Abstract: We show that the cluster ion concentration (CIC) in the atmosphere is significantly suppressed during events that involve rapid increases in particle number concentration (PNC). Using a neutral cluster and air ion spectrometer, we investigated changes in CIC during three types of particle enhancement processes – new particle formation, a bushfire episode and an intense pyrotechnic display. In all three cases, the total CIC decreased with increasing PNC, with the rate of decrease being greater for negative CIC than positive. We attribute this to the greater mobility, and hence the higher attachment coefficient, of negative ions over positive ions in the air. During the pyrotechnic display, the rapid increase in PNC was sufficient to reduce the CIC of both polarities to zero. At the height of the display, the negative CIC stayed at zero for a full 10 min. Although the PNCs were not significantly different, the CIC during new particle formation did not decrease as much as during the bushfire episode and the pyrotechnic display. We suggest that the rate of increase of PNC, together with particle size, also play important roles in suppressing CIC in the atmosphere.