ABSTRACT

The Microbial quality of five nursery schools in Umuahia was examined. The five schools were chosen to cover the different parts of Umuahia, they include; We-Care International School in Ehimmiri Housing Estate, St. Patrick School in Agbama Housing Estate, Omni Grace Academy in World Bank Housing Estate, Blessed Nursery School in Federal Low Cost Housing Estate and National Root Crops Research Institute Nursery and Primary School in Umudike. Assessment was based on microbial load, flora, occurrences and changes between morning and evening periods (end of class / departure time). Out of the five nursery schools sampled, five bacteria genera were isolated which include Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp, Shigella spp, Streptococcus spp and Escherichia coli, while the fungi isolates are Yeast, Aspergillus spp and Penicillium spp. Results obtained showed that the bacteria population ranged from 114 cfu / m3 to170 cfu / m3 for morning periods and 177 cfu / m3to 266 cfu/ m3 for evening periods.  While the fungal count ranged from 3.3 cfu / m3 to 5.6 cfu / m3 for morning and 4.6 cfu / m3 to 6.6 cfu / m3 for evening. The percentage occurrence showed that Staphylococcus aureus had the highest percentage of occurrence while the least percentage of occurrences was recorded for Shigella spp in the morning. Aspergillus spp also recorded the highest percentage of occurrence while Yeast recorded the least percentage of occurrences. An increase was recorded in the occurrence of some microorganisms between morning and evening periods and this was attributed to human daily activities. There is need to maintain high levels of hygiene in schools.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables viii

List of Figures ix

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Aims and Objectives 5

1.1.1 Aim 5

1.1.2 Objectives 5

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature Review 6

2.1 Aeromicrobiology 6

2.2 Air Pollution 6

2.3. Air Pollution Sources and Some Common Air Pollutants 7

2.4 Locations Where Bioaerosols Can Be Found 7

2.4.1 Physical Environment 7

2.4.2 Atmosphere 7

2.4.3 Clouds 8

2.5 Microbial Communities 8

2.5.1 Microbial Bio-Aerosols 8

2.6 Indoor Air Quality 11

2.7 Health Effects Associated With Indoor Air Quality 13

2.8 Poor Indoor Air Quality 15

2.9 Air Pollution and Human Health 16

2.10 How to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution 16

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 19

3.1 Study Area 19

3.2 Preparation of Culture Media 19

3.3 Collection of Samples 20

3.4 Sub-culturing 20

3.5 Identification of Bacteria Isolates 20

3.5.1 Morphological Appearance 20

3.5.2     Gram Reaction 20

3.5.3 Biochemical Test 21

3.5.3.1 Catalase Test 21

3.5.3.2 Indole Tests 21

3.5.3.3 Citrate Utilization Test 21

3.5.3.4 Mannitol Fermentation 22

3.5.3.5 Slide Coagulase Test 22

3.5.3.6 Tube Coagulase Test 22

3.5.3.7 Oxidase Test 22

3.5.3.8 Triple Sugar Iron Agar test (TSI test) 22

3.5.3.9 Motility Test 23

 3.6 Identification of Fungal Isolates 23

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results 24

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations 35

5.1 Discussion 35

5.2 Conclusion 38

5.3 Recommendations 37

References 38