ENVIRONMENTAL-CONTROL OF TUBERCULOSIS - CONTINUING CONTROVERSY

The incidence of tuberculosis-and, more important, that of multidrug-r esistant tuberculosis-have risen drastically in the past decade. Nosoc omial 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 pe rsonal protective devices has been explored in the medical, legislativ e, and public forums. New regulations and legislation have created con troversy over the recommendations and their interpretation. In this re view we present the theory behind the rational selection of environmen tal-control modalities and personal protective devices. We also offer suggestions about the application of specific control techniques and t he revision of existing facilities to comply with new standards.