Comprehensive health risk assessment of microbial indoor air quality in microenvironments

Abstract

The higher airborne microbial concentration in indoor areas might be responsible for the adverse indoor air quality, which relates well with poor respiratory and general health effects in the form of Sick building syndromes. The current study aimed to isolate and characterize the seasonal (winter and spring) levels of culturable bio-aerosols from indoor air, implicating human health by using an epidemiological health survey. Microorganisms were identified by standard macro and microbiological methods, followed by biochemical testing and molecular techniques. Sampling results revealed the bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations ranging between (300–3650 CFU/m3) and (300–4150 CFU/m3) respectively, in different microenvironments during the winter season (December-February). However, in spring (March-May), bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations were monitored, ranging between (450–5150 CFU/m3) and (350–5070 CFU/m3) respectively. Interestingly, Aspergillus and Cladosporium were the majorly recorded fungi whereas, Staphylococcus, Streptobacillus, and Micrococcus found predominant bacterial genera among all the sites. Taken together, the elevated levels of bioaerosols are the foremost risk factor that can lead to various respiratory and general health issues in additional analysis, the questionnaire survey indicated the headache (28%) and allergy (20%) were significant indoor health concerns. This type of approach will serve as a foundation for assisting residents in taking preventative measures to avoid exposure to dangerous bioaerosols.

Bacterial and fungal load quantitative and qualitative assessment of indoor air in Portuguese long-term and acute healthcare settings

“…In healthcare settings, this may concur with a higher level of skin exposure that may facilitate the translocation of skin bacteria to the air. However, studies from different settings also indicate high levels of Staphylococcus in the air (34). Further comparative studies could demonstrate if healthcare settings air microbiota is more close to human skin microbiota than other settings.…”

Association of exposure to indoor molds and dampness with allergic diseases at water-damaged dwellings in Korea

“…Other traditional methods and techniques 4 , 6 , 17 , 43 – 47 , such as biological air and dust samplings, culture-based analysis, morphology techniques, and microbial volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements 48 – 51 , were used to evaluate the levels of molds and bacteria measured in indoor and outdoor environments, including residential dwellings (households), daycare centers, kindergartens, schools, and elderly care centers. However, many previous studies reported several limitations.…”

Viral, bacterial, and fungal contamination of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

“…they are also quite common in indoor air [e.g. 48,49], the process of their sedimentation removal from the air may have played a key role in contamination of the examined surfaces. Among isolated filamentous fungi and cocci, a number of microorganisms have cellulolytic properties (Tab.…”