Abstract
An assessment of biological risk in the workplace requires the measurement of airborne microorganisms. Although it is currently difficult to establish a dose-response relationship on the basis of existing epidemiological data, the number and types of microorganisms present offer a useful index when evaluating air quality. We propose an assessment of contamination levels based on a Global Index of Microbial Contamination/m3 (GIMC/m3). This index is calculated as the sum of the values of the total microbial count determined for mesophilic bacteria, psychrophilic bacteria and fungi in all sampled areas. Moreover we propose the determination of the Index of Mesophilic bacterial Contamination (IMC), obtained by calculating the ratio between the CFU/m 3 value measured for mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria in the same sampling point. The measurement of the Amplification Index (AI), completes the evaluation and this is determined by calculating the ratio between the GICM/m3 values measured inside the building and those measured outside. This study quantified the levels of airborne microorganisms in 226 different offices, in a hospital, in 21 gymnasiums and in a composting plant.
| Translated title of the contribution | Assessment of airborne microorganisms in work environment by use of microbial contamination indexes |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 283-298 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Igiene Moderna |
| Volume | 119 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health