Abstract
This study aimed to characterize airborne bacteria and fungi populations present in rural nursery schools in the Upper Silesia region of Poland during winter and spring seasons through quantification and identification procedures. Bacterial and fungal concentration levels and size distributions were obtained by the use of a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor. Results showed a wide range of indoor bioaerosols levels. The maximum level of viable bacterial aerosols indoors was about 2600 CFU·m−3, two to three times higher than the outdoor level. Fungi levels were lower, from 82 to 1549 CFU·m−3, with indoor concentrations comparable to or lower than outdoor concentrations. The most prevalent bacteria found indoors were Gram-positive cocci (>65%). Using the obtained data, the nursery school exposure dose (NSED) of bioaerosols was estimated for both the children and personnel of nursery schools. The highest dose for younger children was estimated to range: 327–706 CFU·kg−1 for bacterial aerosols and 31–225 CFU·kg−1 for fungal aerosols. These results suggest an elevated risk of adverse health effects on younger children. These findings may contribute to the promotion and implementation of preventative public health programs and the formulation of recommendations aimed at providing healthier school environments.
Highlights
The amount of time that people spend in indoor environments intensifies concern regarding the potential health hazards of social infrastructures
The concentration of fungal aerosol was in the range from 330 to 520 CFU·m−3, obtained values were similar to the samples collected when the nursery schools were open
NSED—Nursery School Exposure Dose of Fungal Aerosol (CFU·kg−1 ). This is the first study in Poland that investigated the levels and size distribution of airborne bacteria and fungi in indoor air in rural nursery schools
Summary
The amount of time that people spend in indoor environments intensifies concern regarding the potential health hazards of social infrastructures. According to studies conducted over the last 20 years by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be 70–100 times more polluted than outdoor air [1,2]. Most indoor air pollution occurs at concentrations that are not considered to be harmful, yet prolonged exposure may adversely affect human health. Nursery schools are one of the most critical in any given society, since children are at risk of lung damage and infection caused by poor air quality [3]. Organisms in growth phases are more susceptible to damage than already-developed organisms [6]
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