Elements Of Moxibustion Workplace Air Quality Standard Setting

Objective:On the basis of Our previous study, to research on the contents and health effects of the main air elements of moxibustion workplace, to provide a scientific basis for moxibustion place air quality standards.Methods:1. in the laboratory14.8m2, temperature20-25℃, six copies of the moxa sticks of3years3:1,10years3:1and3years15:1, each4g, were combusted, and we measured the amounts of PM10, PM2.5and calculated their ratio.2. Simulating clinical conditions of moxibustion, three copies of the moxa sticks of3years3:1,10years3:1and3years15:1, each4g, were combusted to make the mass concentration reach the concentration range of toxicological safety,2.25-3.25mg/m3(2.75±0.5mg/m3). The concentrations of each component were detected before and after combustion in laboratory. Then the concentrations were compared with national standards.3. The recruited30subjects were randomly divided into the experimental group (in moxa smoke clinic, PM10concentration:9-12mg/m3) which consisted of20persons and the control group (in non-smoking clinic) which consisted of10subjects. After lying for20min in lab, each subject’s blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, ECG ST segment and oxygen saturation were respectively measured before, during and after experiments.4. The questionnaire "Subjective feelings for the flavor in moxibustion place" were formulated by searching literatures and consulting the experts.100patients and entourages at the Guo Yi Tang of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were surveyed.Results:1. After the combustion of4g all kinds of moxa sticks,3year3:1、10year3:1and3year15:1, the concentration of PM10respectively reached2.75mg/m3、2.82mg/m3、2.94mg/m3. The amounts of PM2.5, PM10produced by the combustion of moxa in different years and proportions were not significantly different (P>0.1). The ratios of PM2.5and PM10produced in different years with same proportion were not significantly different (P>0.1), while that with different proportions in same year were significantly different(P<0.1) and the higher the ratio, the higher the proportion of PM2.5. On average, the combustion of moxa per gram can produce24.1536mg PM2.5and35.7272mg PM10, and these PM2.5accounts for70%proportion of PM10. On the basis of the calculated proportion, the safe concentration of PM10was1.93mg3.2. When the combustion of moxa in different years and proportions made the mass concentration of PM10r reach the concentration range of toxicological safety (2.25-3.25mg/m3), the produced amounts of NO2, SO2and CO were inferior to the national standards, and that of CO2was a bit superior to the national standards.3. During the experiment that the moxa smoke affect of healthy people on their blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, ECG ST segment and oxygen saturation, there is no significant difference on the data of the the experimental and the control group before, during and after the test. The indicators of the experimental group showed no significant difference before and after the moxa smoke environment. In experimental group, seven cases had discomfortable symptoms, and two cases appear comfortable symptoms.4. Survey results showed that when the average concentration of PM10in moxa smoke was3.12mg/m3, most subjects had no obvious discomfort, part of the subjects had discomfort in nose, mouth, and eyes and comforts like body relaxing, calmness and pleasantness. The concentration was acceptable for the vast majority of subjects, which indicated the concentration limit of PM10,2.75mg/m3, was workable.Conclusions:1. The safe concentration of PM10(2.75mg/m3) by toxicological methods is safety, workable and acceptable.2. On the basis of the calculated proportion, the safe concentration of PM10was1.93mg3, which needs further study.3. The limited amounts of CO, CO2, NO2, SO2according to the national standards can be respectively set at10mg/m3,0.1%,0.24mg/m3,0.5mg/m3.