Environmental Control of Tuberculosis: Continuing Controversy

The incidence of tuberculosis—and, more important, that of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis —have risen drastically in the past decade. Nosocomial outbreaks have alerted health-care workers to the hazards of the spread of tuberculosis. The use of environmental control modalities (e.g., ventilation,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 1994-08, Vol.19 (2), p.299-308
Main Authors: Segal-Maurer, Sorana, Kalkut, Gary E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Microbiology
Bacterial diseases
Biological and medical sciences
Cross Infection - prevention & control
Disease transmission
Disinfection
Heating ventilation and cooling
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Infection Control - methods
Infections
Infectious diseases
Irradiation
Mechanical ventilators
Medical sciences
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Review Articles
Risk Management
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections
Tuberculosis control
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - prevention & control
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - transmission
Ventilation systems
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Summary:The incidence of tuberculosis—and, more important, that of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis —have risen drastically in the past decade. Nosocomial outbreaks have alerted health-care workers to the hazards of the spread of tuberculosis. The use of environmental control modalities (e.g., ventilation, air filtration, and ultraviolet irradiation) and personal protective devices has been explored in the medical, legislative, and public forums. New regulations and legislation have created controversy over the recommendations and their interpretation. In this review we present the theory behind the rational selection of environmental-control modalities and personal protective devices. We also offer suggestions about the application of specific control techniques and the revision of existing facilities to comply with new standards.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1093/clinids/19.2.299