Viable Microorganisms in an Urban Atmosphere

Abstract

The microbial population (types and numbers) of a vertical profile of air in an industrial area of the Twin Cities was determined between May and November 1967. No consistent relationships could be shown to exist between the microbial contamination and the meteorological parameters concurrently measured. The mean viable counts ranged from 58/ft 3 at grade level to 22/ft 3 at 500 ft. Regardless of altitude, molds constituted approximately 70% of the total airborne microflora, bacteria between 19 and 26%, and yeasts and actinomycetes the remainder. The particle size with which the viable population was associated showed a consistent peak in the 3-5 JJ, range.

Variation of airborne bacteria and fungi at Emperor Qin's Terra-Cotta Museum, Xi'an, China, during the “Oct. 1” Gold Week Period of 2006

“…These organisms are thought to exhibit correlations with air pollution and weather because bacteria and other bioaerosols may attach themselves to other particles and be transported with them (Owen et al 1992;Chanda 1996). Viable airborne microorganisms are not air pollutants, but should be considered as a factor affecting air quality (Wright et al 1969). Some airborne bacteria and fungi can be the cause of a variety of infectious diseases as well as allergic and toxic effects.…”

The ecology of bacteria in the alfresco atmosphere

“… Annual concentration of bacteria and fungi in the atmosphere on top of a 400‐foot building in Montreal, Canada (adapted from [34]). …”

Population study of atmospheric bacteria at the Fengtai district of Beijing on two representative days

“…Although there are some reports on the concentration and size distribution of particles containing various microbes in the atmosphere (Bovailius et al, 1978;Jones et aL, 1983;Lee et aL, 1973;Wright et aL, 1969;Hu Qingxuan et aL, 1990), the data on population distribution of atmospheric microbes are limited (Che Fengxiang et aL, 1990;Mancinelli et aL, 1978;Xi Suming et aL, 1988). We collected bacterial samples from the atmosphere of Fengtai district, Beijing, during two days in the spring and autumn of 1989, and identified the 195 strains of bacteria according to their morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics.…”