• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-26
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the concentration of total airborne bacteria (TAB) in biosafety cabinets (BSCs) at universities and hospital microbial laboratories to assess the performance of BSCs. Methods: TAB was determined by using the single-stage Anderson sampler (BioStage Viable Cascade Impactor). The samples were obtained three times (with the BSC turned off and the shield open; with the BSC turned off and the shield closed; and with the BSC tuned on and operating) from the areas in front of 11 BSCs. Results: TAB concentrations of accredited and nonaccredited BSCs were determined. No significant differences were observed in the TAB concentrations of the accredited BSCs and the nonaccredited BSCs for the areas outside the BSCs in the laboratories (p > 0.05). TAB concentrations for the BSCs sampled with the shield open and the instrument turned off showed differences based on the sampling site outside the BSC in each laboratory. Conclusion: These results imply that TAB concentration is not altered by the performance of the BSCs or TAB itself and/or concentration of TAB outside the BSC is not a good index of BSC performance.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the airborne microbial pollution in hospital environment. Using a mechanical air sampler, microbiological samples were taken from intensive care unit, general ward room, patients wailing room and outdoor of 20 hospitals in Seoul, Korea. The concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi ranged 97-410 cfu/㎥ and 37-77 cfu/㎥, respectively and patients waiting room had highest bacterial count. 10 genera of molds were identified and the most frequently recovered molds were Aspergillus, followed by Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium. Among Staphylococcus species, S. haemolyticus and S. epidermidis were predominant and 47% of Staphylococcus species were isolated from intensive rare unit.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2007

Indoor airborne bacterial and fungal concentrations were examined at classrooms and corridors of 3 elementary schools in Ulsan. Airborne microorganisms were collected with an impaction-type air sampler using plate count agar and dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol agar. During the semester, concentrations of bacteria ranged $168{\sim}3,887 MPN/m^3$ at classrooms and $168{\sim}6,339 MPN/m^3$ at corridors, while those of fungi ranged $34{\sim}389 MPN/m^3$ at classrooms and $91{\sim}507 MPN/m^3$ at corridors. The bacterial concentrations showed larger variations between situations and schools compared to those of fungi. When airborne bacteria were isolated and identified, 84% were observed as Gram-positive, and Micrococcus spp. was the most abundant group with 61% of tested isolates, followed by genus Staphylococcus with 10%. The Micrococcus spp. isolates, of which 75% were identified as M. luteus, appeared to be from human origins. The protective pigments and substantial cell wall of Micrococcus may provide selective advantage for their survival in the air. We also isolated and identified 15 genera of filamentous fungi. The most common culturable fungi were Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium, and these 3 genera were 69% of fungal isolates. Genus Stachybotrys, of which S. chartarum is a well known producer of many potent mycotoxins, was also detected from one of the schools. further systematic studies are necessary with an emphasis on species identification and mycotoxin production of isolated fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.77-87
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• 2023

We present the development of a wetcyclone sampler designed for the sampling of airborne bacteria. The wetcyclone design involves a combination of two traditional cyclone shapes and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to validate its effectiveness in terms of pressure drop and collection efficiency. The wetcyclone exhibits a collection efficiency of over 90% for bacteria, specifically targeting Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the wetcyclone enables continuous bioaerosol sampling using a liquid medium (deionized water), demonstrating a concentration ratio exceeding >105 and a stable microbial recovery rate of 81.9%. The application of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the colony counting method ensures precise measurement of the concentration ratio and microbial recovery rate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the concentration variation of airborne bacteria and endotoxin by the temperature in the compost pile in order to identify the generation characteristics of biological factors in the exhaust gases generated from lab-scale sludge compositing reactors (0.06 $m^3$ of total reactor volume). Airborne bacteria showed the highest concentration of generation ($1.03{\times}10^5\;CFU/m^3$) in the composting reactor without mechanical agitation, and similar change tendency to temperature variation of composting, but somewhat lower statistical significance (p>0.05). In the compost reactor with mechanical agitation, endotoxin showed similar generation characteristic to temperature variation of composting (statistical significance; p<0.05) and the highest generation concentration to 1,415 EU/$m^3$. Mechanical agitation of the composting process affected activity of microorganism and positive generation of endotoxin in exhaust gases. Endotoxin and airborne bacteria showed similar tendency of generation, especially the highest statistical correlation was observed in the compost reactor without mechanical agitation (statistical significance: p<0.01).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.355-361
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• 2009

This study evaluated the bacterial concentrations and affecting factors at the laboratories of a university in Seoul, Korea. Thirty-three samples of total airborne bacteria (TAB) and eighteen samples of gram negative bacteria (GNB) were collected from both microbiology laboratories (7) and chemistry laboratories (6). GM (GSD) of TAB and GNB concentrations were 194 (2.52) $cfu/m^3$, 24 (4.1) $cfu/m^3$, respectively. TAB concentrations in the chemical laboratories (GM (GSD): 193 (2.0) $cfu/m^3$) were not significantly different from those in microbial laboratories (GM (GSD): 202 (2.7) $cfu/m^3$, (p>0.05)). GM (GSD) of TAB concentrationsat the top of sink, the center of laboratory, and the front of ventilation ventilation device within laboratories, 182 (3.2) $cfu/m^3$, 217 (2.2) $cfu/m^3$, 176 (2.4) $cfu/m^3$, respectively, were not significantly different (p=0.48). Related factors were measured such as temperature, relative humidity, floor of laboratory, number of persons and laboratory area. TAB concentrations were significantly related to temperature (r=0.36, p<0.05), and the floor of laboratory and temperature were also significantly related (r=0.49, p<0.001). However, other factors such as relative humidity, number of persons and laboratory area did not show any significant relationship with TAB concentrations (p>0.05). TAB concentrations were affected significantly by cleaning frequency (p<0.001) and floor of laboratory (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference (p<0.01) between TAB indoor concentrations and TAB outdoor concentrations. However, other factors such as general ventilation did not affect TAB concentrations (p>0.05) in this study.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of air-borne microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, gram negative bacteria (GNB), endotoxins, and respirable suspended particles (RSPs), and their correlation with environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels) in duck houses. The mean concentrations of bacteria, fungi, and GNB were very high (> $10^6\;CFU/m^3$), and endotoxin levels exceeded $10^3\;EU/m^3$. Among the various work stages, in the task of receiving ducks, bacteria were $6.2{\times}10^6;CFU/m^3$, and GNB were $5.4{\times}10^6\;CFU/m^3$, while RSPs levels were $397.6\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and endotoxin levels were $47.2{\times}10^3\;EU/m^3$ in the task of dividing the ducks, and fungi were $4.9{\times}10^6\;CFU/m^3$ in the task of shipping the ducks. The concentrations of RSPs and endotoxins were significantly higher in tasks involving greater movement of ducks in the house, relative to tasks involving little movement of ducks (p<0.05). Further, with progression in growth of the ducks, the concentrations of bacteria, GNB, endotoxins, and RSPs were significantly increased. There was significant correlation between levels of GNB with bacteria (r=0.75) and fungi (r=0.86), endotoxins with RSPs (r=0.75), bacteria with fungi (r=0.39), and carbon dioxide with RSPs (r=0.38), bacteria (r=0.33), and endotoxins (r=0.31). These results suggest considerable respiratory hazard for farmers in these environments.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.300-310
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• 2012

Objectives: Indoor air quality problems in public spaces have recently become a very important issue in South Korea, because many spend a long time every day indoors. In this study, an extensive literature review was performed on the subject of suspended bacteria and fungi in public facilities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent and types of suspended bacteria and fungi in indoor air in South Korea. This study will provide direction to the research in the field of indoor air. Methods: Article reviews was conducted using a search engine and the following keywords; 'bacteria', 'total suspended bacteria', 'fungi' and 'indoor air' from published articles since 2000. Results: Most of the places of measurement were schools, kindergartens, childcare centers and general hospitals. The highest concentrations of total suspended bacteria and fungi were found in schools and kindergartens. Some public facilities exceeded the standard of 800 CFU/$m^3$. There were few studies on other suspended bacteria: Gram Negative Bacteria, Staphylococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusions: It appears that more studies with intensive controls are needed. It was found that schools and kindergartens were most susceptible to microbial indoor air pollution. These results may be able to suggest an indoor standard for suspended bacteria and fungi in South Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.491-498
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• 2017

Objective: Bacterial abundance and community compositions have been examined in Asian dust events, clarifying their impacts on public health. This study aims to determine the bacterial community compositions and viable bacteria in Asian dust particles in the Asian dust or non-Asian dust event of March 2016. Methods: The dust samples were collected using the high volume air sampler or high volume cascade impactor, and bacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified using PCR, followed by pyrosequencing. Bacterial diversity index, richness estimate and community composition in the particles were analyzed from the sequencing data using Mothur software. Results: The results showed that the diversity and richness during Asian dust events were higher than them in non-Asian dust events. The total bacterial community analysis showed that at the phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant of Asian dust events and non-Asian dust events. In addition, the bacterial colony counts were higher during Asian dust event, comparing with non-Asian dust event. Conclusions: This study showed that bacterial community and richness of Asian dust samples was more complex and higher than non-Asian dust samples in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, which could affect public health and environment. Thus, the continuous monitoring of Asian dust could be an alternative for managing airborne bacteria.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the characterization of airborne bioaerosol in public facilities in Seoul. A total of 17 public facilities were investigated from December, 2002 to February, 2003. As results of the survey, the mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi in indoor air of public facilities were $378.08\pm296.33$ CFU/㎥ by RCS and $106.38\pm171.63$ CFU/㎥ and $347.46\pm335.32$ CFU/㎥ and $95.23\pm62.61$ CFU/㎥, by Six-stage cascade air sampler respectively. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $517.14\pm343.93$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $215,83\pm100.71$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air (by ventilation method) were $83.14\pm79.16$ CFU/㎥ of natural ventilation and $133.50\pm248.07$ CFU/㎥ of mechanical ventilation. The mean concentrations of bacteria in indoor air were 449.44 CFU/㎥ for the ground and $217.50\pm103.68$ CFU/㎥ for the underground. The mean concentrations of fungi in indoor air were $63.89\pm77.66$ CFU/㎥ for the ground and $202.00\pm290.08$ CFU/㎥ for the underground.