Abstract
Microorganisms are ubiquitous in the atmosphere but their concentrations are significantly affected by specific environmental factors. Thus, the characterization of bioaerosol levels in both the indoor and outdoor environment have become an important issue due to their adverse health effects. Therefore this study assessed the indoor and outdoor concentrations of bioaerosols and the meteorological conditions in selected salons in four areas of Ibadan North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. This comparative cross-sectional study comprised of onsite observations, meteorological measurements viz: temperature and relative humidity (RH) and microbiological assessment (fungi and bacteria load). Building characteristics and sanitary conditions of salons were assessed using a walk-through observational checklist. A TE-10-890 single stage sampler was used for viable bioaerosol sampling and isolates were identified according to standard methods. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS (version 20). Mold growth and damp roof were observed in less than 20% and 40% of salons at the study locations respectively. Mean indoor and outdoor temperature and RH across Agbowo, Mokola, Yemetu and Bashorun were significantly higher than ASHRAE guideline limits. The mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi aerosols were significantly higher indoor than outdoor (p<0.05). Staphylococcus spp, Bacillus spp, Enterobacteria spp and Flavobacterium spp. were the predominant bacteria species isolated while Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, Fusarium spp, and Mucor spp. were the most common fungi species detected in the samples. The study showed that both the indoor and outdoor air were contaminated with bacteria and fungi, therefore it is important to control the environmental factors that support microbial growth in order to curtail occurrence of possible adverse effects they may have on health.
Highlights
Most people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors whether at home, work or schools where they are continuously exposed to the microbial content of this environments [1]
It was observed that mold growth was present in less than 20% of the salons visited
The findings of this study revealed that the predominant bacteria species isolated from indoor and outdoor salon environments across all locations were both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria belonging to genus Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Flavobacterium and Enterobacteria
Summary
Most people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors whether at home, work or schools where they are continuously exposed to the microbial content of this environments [1]. Specific activities like talking, sneezing, coughing, walking, washing and toilet flushing can generate airborne biological particulate matter [4]. Many genera are emitted by indoor sources like animals, flowerpots, wastebaskets and indirectly from dust perturbations [5]. Airborne microbes attach to dust particles, condense and enter human body directly via inhalation or indirectly via ingestion of contaminated foods and water resulting in the development of diseases and toxic reactions [6]. Microbes enter into the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources, but their survival and distribution depend on their cell structure and meteorological conditions [7, 8]. The contribution of outdoor air to indoor air pollution depends on the concentration and composition of bioaerosols present in the outdoor air
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