engleski

The investigation of microbiological air quality in the teaching room

Introduction: Over the past decade, there has been an increased concern with outdoor and indoor air quality in both the environmental health and safety field and general public. Indoor air quality refers to the quality of air within public buildings and private homes. Most of the microorganisms present in the indoor air are harmless saprophytes and commensals and around 1 % of the airborne bacteria are pathogens. The major concern is increasing number of people with allergies to fungal spores in the air. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiological quality of air in the teaching room in the Teaching Institute of Public Health Primorsko goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia. Materials and methods: The microbiological quality of air was investigated using the MAS – 100 sampling device before and after the use of a commercial air conditioning device. Total of 6 samples were taken on 19th June 2012. Sampling was made in the morning, before any kind of activities and in the afternoon, immediately after the lecture. Samples were tested for two microbial quality attributes including aerobic mesophilic bacteria and total number of yeast and mold. Furthermore, there have been made an identification of the microorganisms that have grown on the Tryptic Soy Agar and on the Sabouraud Agar. Results: In the morning, before any kind of activities, there have been isolated 1 CFU/250 L of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and 3 CFU/250 L of mold. The same kind of microorganism were detected in the afternoon when there was isolated 7 CFU/250 L of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and 5 CFU/250 L of mold. The presence of bacteria from Enterobacteriaceae family, as well as Micrococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. were detected. On the Sabouraud Agar Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp.were isolated. Conclusion: The amount of bacteria and mold in the air, indicate a need for prevention in the form of regular hygiene maintenance of the teaching room as well as ventilation equipment. Microbiological testing of indoor air quality is not legally regulated, but it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of sanitary maintenance of teaching room and ventilation systems.

air; microbiological air quality; air sampling

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