Bioaerosol Levels in Indoor Air of Animal House and Hospital Laboratories; A Comparison with Library and Administrative Offices

Siti Marwanis Anua; Nur Fatin Haris; Nurzafirah Mazlan

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Bioaerosol Levels in Indoor Air of Animal House and Hospital Laboratories; A Comparison with Library and Administrative Offices

Author: Siti Marwanis Anua ¹ ; Nur Fatin Haris ¹ ; Nurzafirah Mazlan ²
Author Information

1. Environmental and Occupational Health Programme, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
2. Department of Diagnostic and Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, University Drive, Seksyen 13, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Bioaerosol, Animal house, Hospital laboratory, Library, Administrative office
From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(Supp 1,January):94-100
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Introduction: This study reported the concentration of bacterial and fungal bioaerosol at an animal house and hospital laboratories with the aim to compare the concentration levels at library and administrative offices. The bioaerosol levels between mid-shift (afternoon) were also compared to the concentration measured during pre-shift (morning). Methods: The NIOSH 0800 method utilising microbiological air sampler collecting airborne bacterial and fungal samples via impaction technique on Nutrient agar (NA) and Sabouraud Dextrouse agar (SDA) as culture medium, respectively. Sampling was done twice daily; before (pre-shift) and during working (mid-shift) hour. Results: The highest bacteria and fungi concentration was recorded at the animal house with median concentration of 2477 CFU/ m3 (IQR=121-2477) and 791 CFU/m3 (IQR = 379-2081), respectively. Higher-risked workplaces such as animal house and hospital laboratories have significantly higher bioaerosol concentrations compared to control workplaces such as library and administrative offices (p<0.05). Interestingly, there were significantly higher fungi concentrations during the pre-shift compared to the mid-shift, for both high risk and control workplaces. Conclusion: Animal research room had exceeded the recommended bioaerosol level of 500 CFU/m3, but all the other sites had concentrations below the recommended level. Appropriate control measures should be adhered such as practicing hygiene practices and housekeeping to minimise the bioaerosol exposure among the workers and occupants.
Full text:11.2020my0634.pdf