The spread of filamentous fungi in occupational premises and dwellings predetermines not only the pollution of the surroundings, but also influences the health of their occupants. Problems caused by micromycetes are of major importance in Lithuania where, because of the climatic conditions, people spend a large part of their time indoors. Over the years 1994-2000 the microbiological state of various dwellings and occupational premises in Vilnius city has been investigated. Some 359 fungal species ascribed to 100 genera, 20 families, 11 ranges, 2 classes and 4 divisions were isolated and identified. Mitosporic fungi (74 genera, 290 species) constituted by far the majority of the identified isolates. In occupational and residential premises fungal species ascribed to Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Ulocladium, Mortierella, Aureobasidium, Oidiodendron, Geotrichum, Trichoderma, Acremonium, Scytalidium, Scolecobasidium genera dominated. The distribution of different species in the investigated premises varied. It was confirmed that respiratory and allergic diseases in the investigated premises were closely related to raised concentrations of airborne fungi.

The use of chemical disinfectants where ventilation is insufficient can produce morbidity and allergic responses. Although disinfection is the universal tool for prevention of infections, the chemicals used can irritate the eyes and skin and may have neurotoxic and sensitising effects. The objective in the present study was to evaluate such chemical hazards, the use of personal protective equipment and the health status of those who handle disinfection chemicals in Lithuanian hospitals. Nine hospitals in Vilnius were studied in 2000-2001. Some 334 hospital employees from surgery, anaesthesiology, intensive care unit, resuscitation, nursing and endoscopy departments in contact with disinfecting chemicals were interviewed by questionnaire. Levels of several chemicals were monitored: glutaraldehyde, chlorine compounds and hydrogen peroxide were determined by a photometric method; isopropyl and ethyl alcohols were determined by gas chromatography. It was found that maximum levels of glutaraldehyde exceeded standards by 1.3 times, hydrogen peroxide by 8 times and isopropyl alcohol by 11 times. When working with the chemicals rubber latex gloves were used by 84.1% of personnel and protective face masks by 45.9%. Other personal protective equipment (goggles and respirators) were rarely used. Adverse reactíons included skin reddening and itching (57.6%; p<0.05), allergic conjunctivitis (39.5%), allergic rhinitis (36.0%), as well as frank diseases like chronic bronchitis (9.9%), allergic contact dermatitis (8.3%), allergic rhinitis (7.0%) and allergic conjunctivitis (6.4%). The study concluded that improvements were necessary in all aspects of work with chemical disinfectants containing these active components.

One of the most dangerous chemical factors throughout industry in the developed countries is asbestos. An adequate legislative basis has been created in Lithuania and there are in force legislation documents that set forth the requirements for work with asbestos as well as the measurements that need to be made in the work environment. In Lithuania the technique used for determination of the concentration of asbestos fibres (as f·cm 3) is by the method of phase-contrast optical microscopy. Mostly, measurements of asbestos exposures in the work environment have been made in the chemical industry, industry concerned with the production of machinery, the construction industry, transport and the energy sector. The average concentration of asbestos fibres in workplace atmospheres was found to be highest in the chemical industry, namely, 0.07f·cm 3. It is now necessary to harmonise the legislative base according to the requirements of the EU Directive 2003/18/EC and put them in practice.

The situation in Lithuania so far as IAQ management is concerned is complicated by the long period of existence that the country has spent outside an open society. As a result positive changes in a number of main fields: organisational, legislational and experimental are in their initial stages. To date projects concerned with the influence of IAQ on professionals' and children's asthma and a project on approximation to European Standards in occupational air quality investigations have been started.