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KMID : 1156220140400040304
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Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
2014 Volume.40 No. 4 p.304 ~ p.312
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Assessment of Bioaerosols in Public Restrooms
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Kim Jong-Gyu
Kim A-Hyeok
Kim Joong-Soon
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Abstract
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Objectives: This study was performed to examine bioaerosols in indoor air in public restrooms, as well as to assess the effects of air temperature and relative humidity on bioaerosol levels.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in ten male and ten female restrooms. An air sampler (Anderson type) was used for sampling total suspended bacteria (TSB), Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), Grampositive bacteria (GPB), opportunistic bacteria (OP), Staphylococcus spp., and total suspended fungi (TSF).
Results: The levels of TSB were 10-102 CFU/m3 and TSF 10-102 CFU/m3, respectively. The GNB level was 0-10 CFU/m3, and GPB and OP levels were 10-102 CFU/m3. Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were detected in 90% of the restrooms. The GPB level was higher in the female restrooms than in the male restrooms (p < 0.05). TSB, GNB, and TSF showed higher levels in restrooms in buildings over 30 years old (p < 0.01). The main effect of air temperature or relative humidity and interaction effect of the two factors on the TSB level were significant (p < 0.05), while the effect of relative humidity on the TSF level was significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: These results indicate that there is a wide variation in the bioaerosol levels among different restrooms. The observed differences in bioaerosol levels reflect different building histories. The effects of air temperature and/or relative humidity reveal that bioaerosol levels may vary according to season or time of day. Future research is needed to further characterize the relation between the bioaerosol levels and surface contamination in restrooms.
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KEYWORD
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Bioaerosol, Indoor air, Restrooms
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