Spatial variation and comprehensive health risk assessment of microbial indoor air quality in microenvironments of North Delhi

Abstract

\n The high airborne microbial concentration of indoor areas may be responsible for adverse indoor air quality linked with adverse respiratory and general health effects in the form of Sick building syndromes. The current study aimed to isolate and characterize seasonal (winter and spring) levels of culturable bio-aerosols from indoor air and their impact on human health by using an epidemiological health survey. After culturing, microorganisms were identified by standard macro and microbiological protocols followed by biochemical testing and molecular techniques. Sampling results show that bacterial aerosol concentration in the winter season varies from (300–3650 CFU/m) and fugal aerosols (300–4150 CFU/m3) in different microenvironments. However, in spring bacterial aerosols ranged (450–5150 CFU/m3) and fungi (350–5070 CFU/m3). Aspergillus and Cladosporium were major recorded fungi however, Staphylococcus, Streptobacillus, and Micrococcus were major bacterial genera among all the sites. Analysis of the questionnaire survey represented that headache (28%) and allergies (20%) were major indoor health problems followed by others. Major outcomes of the current study suggested that the elevated levels of bioaerosols are a major risk factor and causing various respiratory health problems. The observed dynamics of this study will help the inhabitants to take precautionary actions to avoid hazardous bioaerosols.