Assessment of Indoor Microbiological Air Contamination in Research Facility at University of Malaysia

Abstract

Indoor air quality is a concept that applies to the nature of the environment in and around buildings and facilities in which it contributes to the safety and security of those in the house. The aim of this study was to identify bacterial and fungal species present in the room, determine indoor air quality and investigate consumer views on indoor air quality in the Biology Building, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, National University of Malaysia. This study was conducted at the Biology Building at 8 selected sampling sites. Microbes were sampled using nutrient agar (bacteria) and potato dextrose agar (fungus). All samples of microbes were classified using two approaches; i) morphological examination and ii) biochemical reaction experiments. CO2, temperature and relative humidity are registered using the Direct Sense Monitoring Kit. A survey on customer satisfaction with indoor air quality in the building was carried out and evaluated in order to collect empirical details. This study found that the presence of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus laterosporus, Bacillus sphaericus, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas fluarescens, Pseudomonas stuzeri and Aeromonas hydrophila bacterial. The fungi species are Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans, Penicillium digitatum and Fusarium dimerum. The result also shows that the carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity concentrations for most sampling stations comply with the DOSH standards. Moreover, almost all participants reported that their level of health and comfort while in the building is good, while the ventilation system of the building is at a comfortable level. Whereas, the degree of knowledge for most respondents on the value of indoor air quality is high. Two of the recommendations included in this study to enhance indoor air quality are to insure that the air conditioning device is correctly controlled and to raise understanding of the value of indoor air quality among staff and students in the Biology Building.