Microbiological Quality Assessment of Indoor Air of a Private University in Benin City, Nigeria.

Abstract

The evaluation of microorganisms present in indoors has become necessary, as how safe the air in our surrounding environment where we spent time is fundamental to our wellbeing. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the indoor air quality of a private university in Benin City using the settle plate air sampling technique with sampling done morning and evening, once in succession for two weeks. The estimated concentration range of bacterial aerosols in the indoor environments was 7-440 cfu/m 3 and 4-90cfu/m 3 for week 1 morning and evening sampling respectively, and 72-180 cfu/m 3 and 8-75 cfu/m 3 for week 2 morning and evening sampling respectively. Also, the fungal aerosols concentration range recorded 11-45 cfu/m 3 and 3-10 cfu/m 3 for week 1 morning and evening sampling respectively, and 1-57 cfu/m 3 and 5-45 cfu/m 3 for week 2 morning and evening sampling respectively. Microbial isolates characterized were Micrococcus luteus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratiamarcensces, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli, Neurospora sp., Rhizopus sp., Penicillium sp., Candida sp., Fusarium sp. Aspergillusniger, Alternaria sp., Aspergillusfumigatus, Cladosporiumcladosporoides. Among the microbial isolates, Aspergilusniger had the highest percentage frequency (29%) while Sarretiamarcensces and Candida sp. had the least percentage frequency (4%) each. These isolates are considered potential candidates of 'sick building' syndromes. Thus, attention must be given to control environmental factors which favour microbial growth and multiplication in indoor environment for health safety.