Evaluation of children as sources of bioaerosols in a climate chamber study. [Staphylococcus epidermidis; Saprophyticus; Bacillus spp. ; Bacillus megaterium; Acinetobacter spp]

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Environment International; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(90)90115-M· OSTI ID:5930009

Lundqvist, G R; Aalykke, C; Bonde, G J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Aarhus (Denmark)

Emissions of viable particles from a group of children were measured under controlled conditions in a climate chamber that simulated indoor environmental exposure in day-care institutions with tight building envelopes and outdoor air supply by natural infiltration only. Bioaerosol sampling was simultaneously applied with slit samplers and sediment plates. A total of 142 strains was identified. Most of these were from sediment plates (95%) as the colonies on the slit sampler were more crowded and too confluent for separation. On sediment plates, coryneform bacteria dominated (27-85%), followed in frequency by micrococci (4-50%), Staphylococcus epidermidis and saprophyticus (12-43%), Bacillus spp., most frequently B. megaterium (12-33%), and Acinetobacter spp. (11-14%). From the slit sampler plates, staphylococci dominated (67%), followed by coryneform species and micrococci (17%). Within the first hour after the group left the chamber, the number of colony forming units (CFU) suspended in the air decreased, corresponding to an equivalent dilution ventilation rate of 2.0 ACH (air changes per hour) for bacteria and 1.7 ACH for mold spores due to the catching of particles on surfaces and to die away of viable microorganisms. Accordingly, microbial surface contamination revealed an increase at the same time.

• OSTI ID: 5930009
• Journal Information: Environment International; (USA), Vol. 16:3; ISSN 0160-4120
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
CHILDREN
INFECTIVITY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
HEALTH HAZARDS
MICROORGANISMS
CFU
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
BUILDINGS
DENMARK
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
VENTILATION
AGE GROUPS
AIR POLLUTION
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EUROPE
HAZARDS
POLLUTION
SCANDINAVIA
SOLS
WESTERN EUROPE
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
320107 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Systems- (1987-)