Abstract
The present study was aimed at evaluating the number of bacteria and fungi in the indoor environment of Federal University Dutse Library. The sampling site was located in the University main reading room. Forty (40) air samples were collected in the month of June 2018. Air samples comprising of twenty (20) for bacteria and twenty (20) for fungi were taken twice a day; in the morning and afternoon. All the samples were analyzed for the concentration of bacteria and fungi using plate count method. The average bacterial and fungal counts in the library were found to be 240.10 CFU/m 3 and 280.60 CFU/m 3 respectively and ranged from 132-345 CFU/m 3 for bacteria and 180-416 CFU/m 3 for fungi respectively. Having subjected the generated results to statistical analysis (T-test at 95% confidence limit), there was no significant difference between microbial loads recorded for bacteria and fungi (p-value=0.000). However, the mean microbial concentration of the library indoor air was within a range which indicates intermediate level of contamination according to the guidelines established in 1993 by the European Community Commission. It is therefore recommended that the surfaces of the library should be kept clean and dry, as the wet condition in the library can cause growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Again, a follow up study is required with a view to detecting seasonal variations of the indoor microbial counts of the library. Keywords: Indoor air quality, pollution, bacterial counts, fungal counts
Highlights
Indoor air quality (IAQ) connotes the air parameters that are found inside buildings, businesses, schools, and homes
All the forty (40) samples collected in this current study yielded bacterial growth on nutrient agar and fungal growth on Sabouraud dextrose agar
The results obtained indicate that the number of microorganisms in the indoor air of the library varied significantly in the morning and afternoon
Summary
Indoor air quality (IAQ) connotes the air parameters that are found inside buildings, businesses, schools, and homes. Air is an invisible gas that is made up of a mixture of mainly Nitrogen and Oxygen. It is one of the fundamental basics of life for humans, animals and plants. Environmental air does contain a compound mixture of toxics, including particulate matter (PM), irritant gases, and benzene (Lodovici and Bigagli, 2011). It has been established that IAQ is one of the most significant factors that influences our general life quality as we breathe 10 m3 air every day, and we spend 80–95% of our lives indoors. Indoor environments contain a complex mixture of live and dead microorganisms, fragments, toxins, allergens, volatile microbial organic compounds and other chemicals (WHO, 2009). The objective of this paper is to present the microbiological quality of the indoor air of Federal University Dutse library
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
