환경보건학적 관점에서 본 메르스 사태의 문제점 - 병원 실내공기질 관리를 중심으로 -

Problems of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak from the Perspective of Environmental Health - Focusing on Control of Indoor Air Quality in Hospitals -

Since Patient Zero of MERS was diagnosed in May 20, 2015, cases of MERS continued to grow. The current situation, which people have been confirmed to be infected, suggested that contaminated indoor air could be the potential cause of hospital-acquired infections. It is important to address the indoor air quality in hospitals because pathogens can spread through air. While the heating, ventilating and air conditioning(HVAC) system is useful managing indoor air quality in hospitals, it can transmit the pathogens if operated improperly. Therefore, it is necessary to remove contaminants in hospitals and operate the HVAC system according to the guidelines, in order to maintain clean indoor air.