Application of Airborne Microorganism Indexes in Offices, Gyms, and Libraries

Abstract

The determination of microbiological air quality in sporting and working environments requires the quantification of airborne microbial contamination. The number and types of microorganisms, detected in a specific site, offer a useful index for air quality valuation. An assessment of contamination levels was carried out using three evaluation indices for microbiological pollution: the global index of microbiological contamination per cubic meter (GIMC/m3), the index of mesophilic bacterial contamination (IMC), and the amplification index (AI). These indices have the advantage of considering several concomitant factors in the formation of a microbial aerosol. They may also detect the malfunction of an air treatment system due to the increase of microbes in aeraulic ducts, or inside a building compared to the outdoor environment. In addition, they highlight the low efficiency of a ventilation system due to the excessive number of people inside a building or to insufficient air renewal. This study quantified the levels of microorganisms present in the air in different places such as offices, gyms, and libraries. The air contamination was always higher in gyms that in the other places. All examined environments are in Northern Italy.

Sustainability of Schools: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Studying Air Quality in Educational Buildings

“…IMC was 2.4 (range 1-4.5), suggesting a marked anthropogenic contribution to the indoor microbial contamination due to overcrowding or inadequate air change. In addition, also the AI of 17.8 (range 8-30.3) is indicative of the presence of high levels of airborne microbiological contaminants in the indoor environment, as reported in other studies [32], [33]. Lastly, the microbial contamination mean value on the class desks was 2.49 CFU/cm 2 but, in some cases, we found values higher than these.…”

Exposure to Bacterial and Fungal Aerosols: Microorganism Indices in A Waste-Sorting Plant in Poland

“…In Korea, the highest TIMC/m 3 in atmospheric air was observed in the summer season (5400) and the lowest was observed in winter (580) [50]. The TIMC/m 3 is a useful index in determining the total counts of microorganisms during environmental monitoring because they have different significances and allow for a more complete evaluation of bioaerosol contamination [31].…”

“…The TIMC, including the presence of different types of microorganisms, could be a simple method for evaluating the potential biological risk in indoor and outdoor environments. It also allows monitoring the sources of microbial contamination [30,31]. The IOI shows us where the source of a bioaerosol might be found [32].…”

Special Issue on Indoor Air Quality

“…The first one, 'Study of Passive Adjustment Performance of Tubular Space in Subway Station Building Complexes' by Li J. et al [14] focused on the various tubular space forms in subway station building complexes with the scope of proposing an improvement of the indoor environment in terms of comfort and energy consumption. The second one, 'Application of Airborne Microorganism Indexes in Offices, Gyms, and Libraries' authored by Grisoli P. et al [15] quantified the levels of microorganisms present in the air in different places such as offices, gyms, and libraries. The third one, 'How Working Tasks Influence Biocontamination in an Animal Facility' authored by Marcelloni M. et al [16] aimed to determine what factors could be associated with a high level of exposure to biological agents in an animal facility, through the measuring and characterization of airborne fungi, bacteria, endotoxin, (1,3)-β-d-glucan and animal allergens.…”