Microbial Air Contamination in Farmhouses – Quantitative Aspects

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the microbial contamination of the air in farmhouses (defined as residential buildings on farms) on the basis of volumetric (using a six-stage Andersen impactor) measurements of bacterial and fungal aerosols. The microbial air quality (including both the total concentration of bioaerosols and their respirable fractions) in farmhouses was collated with the bacterial and fungal air contamination in urban dwellings. In comparison with the urban dwellings, the air in the farmhouses was characterized by significantly higher concentrations of culturable bacteria and fungi. However, respirable microorganisms in the farmhouses constituted the smaller fraction of all culturable bacteria and fungi. The results indicate that the microbial air quality in the farmhouses was most likely affected by the presence of farm buildings, which acted as additional bioaerosol emission sources. The smaller respirable bioaerosol fraction observed in the farmhouses could be explained by the indirect transfer of bacteria and fungi on workers' clothing and bodies from farm buildings to the habitable environments.

The use of spider webs as passive bioaerosol collectors

“…Airborne cells are also susceptible to other environmental factors such as relative humidity (RH), temperature, and pollution. The aerial dispersion of microorganisms causes annual losses, ranging in the billions of dollars, in agricultural and livestock industries [27]. Spores particularly are highly resistant forms of microorganism that are capable of remaining in the atmosphere for an extended period of time [2,7].…”

“…When farming and breeding activities change, the amount of microorganisms present in bioaerosols is proportional to the change [27]. Storage of grains and other agricultural products also increases the microbial composition of air samples [27].…”

“…When farming and breeding activities change, the amount of microorganisms present in bioaerosols is proportional to the change [27]. Storage of grains and other agricultural products also increases the microbial composition of air samples [27]. For example, the storage of hay is known to be a significant source of Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and other metabolites [27].…”

“…Storage of grains and other agricultural products also increases the microbial composition of air samples [27]. For example, the storage of hay is known to be a significant source of Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and other metabolites [27].…”

“…Fungi particularly are of interest in rural environments due to the recorded high levels present in air samples [27]. Little is known as to the true genera or speciation of microbes present in rural areas [27].…”