An Assessment of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi in the Female Dormitory Environment: Level, Impact Factors and Dose Rate

Yanju Li, Xinyu Wang, Guoqing Cao, Yu Wang, Qingqing Miao and Jinlu He
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Yanju Li: School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
Xinyu Wang: School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
Guoqing Cao: Institute of Building Environment and Energy, China Academy of Building Research, Beijing 100013, China
Yu Wang: School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
Qingqing Miao: School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
Jinlu He: School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: In this study, the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi were tested in a female dormitory room; the effects of heating, relative humidity and number of occupants on indoor microorganisms were analyzed and the dose rate of exposure to microbes was assessed. The bacterial and fungal concentrations in the room ranged from 100 to several thousand CFU/m 3 , and the highest counts were observed in the morning (930 ± 1681 CFU/m 3 ). Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. were found in the dormitory. When the heating was on, the total bacterial and fungal counts were lower than when there was no heating. Moreover, statistically significant differences were observed for bacterial concentrations during the morning periods between the times when there was no heating and the times when there was heating. The number of occupants had an obvious positive effect on the total bacterial counts. Moreover, RH had no correlation with the airborne fungi in the dormitory, statistically. Furthermore, the highest dose rate from exposure to bacteria and fungi was observed during sleeping hours. The dose rate from exposure to airborne microorganisms in the dormitory was associated with the activity level in the room. These results helped to elucidate the threat of bioaerosols to the health of female occupants and provide guidance for protective measures.

Keywords: indoor environment; bacteria; fungi; impact factors; dose rate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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