Investigation of Bioaerosols and the Microbiological Indoor Air Quality in an Urban Nursery School in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Aims: This study was aimed at investigating the microbial quality of air within the confines of nursery school children. Early exposure to these indoor pollutants can lead to major public health concerns which include acute respiratory tract infections, allergies as well as cancer.

Study Design: Random sampling approach was used in the collection of the samples. Air samples were collected from two different classrooms in a nursery school.

Place and Duration of Study: Air samples were collected within the confines of the nursery section of the Demonstration Primary School in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria every other weekday in the month of May 2022.

Methodology: Culture media were placed at the four corners of two classrooms in the nursery section. This nursery class comprised of children between the ages of 4-5 years Nutrient, MacConkey and potato dextrose agar media were used to culture airborne microorganisms during the study. For differential identification of bacteria, citrate, motility, oxidase, indole, catalase, methyl red Voges Proskauer, triple salt iron agar, sugar fermentation tests were carried out.

Results: Both bacterial and fungal species of medical importance, such as Bacillus, Shigella, Micrococcus, Serratia, Proteus, Yersinia, Enterobacter, Penicilium, Aspergillus, Candida, Microsporum. Exophiala and Mucor spp were isolated in this study. The most predominant bacterial species among the isolates in the study was Bacillus sp. with the percentage occurrence of 25%. Shigella and Yersinia species had the percentage occurrence of 16.67% respectively other species like Serratia, Micrococcus, Enterobacter and Proteus each had percentage occurrence of 8.33% which was the lowest occurrence. All the fungal isolates had similar or equal percentage occurrence (16.67%).

Conclusion: Exposure to microbial aerosols in nursery schools can lead to several health complications. Thus, recognition, control and monitoring of air quality in schools are crucial in limiting the spread of airborne pathogens.