People spend around 80 and 90% of their time in indoor environments (office, school, home, etc) and there is increased awareness of the potential health effects of indoor biological contaminants such as bacteria. Therefore, when considering work or indoor living conditions, the air quality requires special attention.
In indoor environments, biological contaminants are often found in areas that provide conducive conditions for microbial growth. These include damp or wet areas such as cooling coils, humidifiers, condensate pans, draperies, bedding, carpet, and other areas where dust collects.
Bacteria are an important component of indoor biological contaminants. Some of them are pathogenic (that’s they are capable of causing disease) and are involved in respiratory diseases. If the environmental and nutritional conditions are favourable bacteria can colonize and grow on many surfaces (including standing water) from where they and their by-products can become airborne. A number of diverse activities can result in the dispersion and generation of bacterial aerosols indoors, for example, the operation of heating-ventilation-air conditioning systems, hot water systems and water spray devices.
Health Effects Associated With Indoor Bacteria
There are several health effects associated with exposures to bacterial aerosols. Some of them include irritative and nonspecific respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, and allergic reactions such as alveolitis and chronic bronchitis.
Some of the infectious bacteria include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Legionella pneumophila, Bacillus anthracis. These bacteria cause pulmonary tuberculosis, legionellosis (Legionnaire’s disease) and anthrax respectively. Infection is primarily through inhalation.
Bacteria As Causes Of Bioderioration
Bacteria are rarely thought of as biodeterioration agents. However, they are involved in biodeterioration of various types of materials. Bacillus sp, Nitrosomonas sp, Nocardia sp and Streptomyces are involved in biodeterioration of diverse materials in several regions. They cause physical damage and some are capable of producing acids that cause biochemical deterioration.
Conclusion
In general, several microorganisms including bacteria are present in indoor environments. They can contaminate indoor air and pose health risks especially when certain species are present or when they are in high numbers. Apart from the health effects microorganisms have the ability to cause damage to materials they are growing on.