Quantitative and Qualitative Monitoring of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi and Their Relationship with Environmental Parameters in Two Selected Primary Schools

• Published in: Majallah-i dānishgāh-i 'ulūm-i pizishkī-i Arāk Vol. 22; no. 6; pp. 242 - 251
• Main Authors: Seyed Hamed Mirhoseini, Fatemeh Ariyan, Samaneh mohammadi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Persian
• Published: Arak Medical University 01-01-2020
• Subjects: bacteria; bioaerosol; fungi; particulate matter; primary school
• ISSN: 1735-5338; 2008-644X

Background and Aim: The assessment of indoor air quality and detection of its microbial pollutants in classrooms is very important because of the presence of children sensitive to these pollutants. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration and characterization of dominant species of biological aerosols and their relationship with environmental factors in two selected primary schools in Arak, Iran. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two primary schools in Arak, Iran in Fall 2018. Indoor air sampling was performed using single-stage Andersen microbial sampler (at flow rate of 28.3 liters/min) containing bacterial and fungal culture media. The effects of suspended Particulate Matter (PM) and environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) on the density of bioaerosols were evaluated. Ethical Considerations: This study with an ethics code of IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.76 was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Arak University of Medical Sciences. Results: The overall mean density of indoor bacteria and fungi was 448 cfu/m3 and 394 cfu/m3, while the mean density of outdoor bacteria and fungi was 210 cfu/m3 and 127 cfu/m3, respectively. There was a positive correlation between indoor density of airborne bacteria and suspected PM concentrations (PM 10 and PM 2.5), and between PM2.5 concentration and indoor fungal density (P<0.05). Penicillium (40%), Cladosporium (19%) and Aspergillus (16%) were dominant species of fungi, while Staphylococcus (42%), Micrococcus (28%), Bacillus (21%) were the dominant species of bacteria. Conclusion: The age and type of building and the density of students in a classroom are the main factors in increasing the concentration of bioaerosols.