To assess biological air quality, concentrations of viable airborne microbes were determined in hospital, home and outdoor air from August 25 to October 18, 1990. Bacteria, fungi and thermophilic, bacteria were sampled using gravitational and suctional sampling method. In bacteria groups, the Staphylococcus spp. was identified by microscopic examination and biochemical tests.
Results of the study are as follows.
1. Results using the gravitational sampling method indicated that average numbers of airborne microbes in hospital, home and outdoor air were 21.5, 12.2 and 17.6 CFU/plate, respectively. These levels are well within an appropriate standard of 50 CFU/plate suggested by Endo.
2. Results using the suctional sampling method indicated that total airborne microbe concentrations in hospital, home and outdoor air were 1,998, 1,363 and 1,880 CFU/㎥, respectively. All of the results were within the recommended remedial action level, 10,000 CFU/㎥ of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH).
3. Concentration of thermophilic bacteria in hospital and outdoor air were 79 and 111 CFU/㎥, respectively. Thermophilic bacteria were not detected in the home air. These results were within the remedial action level, 500 CFU/㎥.
4. Concentrations of Gram negative bacilli in hospital. home and outdoor air were 20.3, 23.6 and 16.8 CFU/㎥, respectively. all were within the remedial action level, 500 CFU/㎥, recommended by ACGIH.
5. Concentrations of Staphylococcus spp. in hospital, home and outdoor air were 34.8, 14.7, and 22.4 CFU/㎥, respectively. all were within the remedial action level. 75 CFU/㎥, recommended by ACGIH. The percentages of Staphylococcus spp, in total bacteria in hospital, home and outdoor air were 19.0, 10.2 and 14.5%, respectively.
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