ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determine the indoor air bacterial and fungal density in the day care centres of ikwuano Local Government Abia State, Five day care centres were sampled using the settle plate method. Five bacteria and fungi was isolated. The bacterial isolates are Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and klebsiella species. Bacillus specie,while the fungal isolates are Aspergillus niger, Klebsiella and  Mucor Alternaria. The bacterial percentage occurrence are Staphylococcus aureus (18.2%), Bacillus specie (27.2%), Escherichia coli (18.2%), Klebsiella spp. (18.2%), Streptococcus spp. (18.2%). The Bacillus specie has highest percentage of occurrence (27.2 %). From the statistical analysis, there is no significant difference in the microbial sample of the indoor air P< 0.015. The outcome of this study shows that the most prevalent bacteria found indoors were Gram-positive. It can be inferred that all the day care centres examined for indoor air microbiological quality were contaminated with bacteria aerosols than with fungal aerosols. The number of persons, the environmental factors and the ventilation systems are believed to be among the factors that affected the indoor airborne microbial rates. These findings may contribute to the promotion and implementation of preventive measures and the formulation of recommendations aimed at providing healthier school environments

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgements v

Table of Contents vi

List of Tables vii

Abstract viii

CHAPTER ONE 

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Aim and Objectives 3

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE OF REVIEW

2.1 Environmental Factors 5

2.2.1 Ventilation 6

2.2.2 Ventilation Mode 6

2.2.3 Moisture and Microbial Growth on Building Materials 7

2.2.4 Microbes in the Indoor Air of Moisture-Damaged Building 9

2.2.5 Occupant Density/Ventilation Rate 10

2.2.6 Water Vapour 10

2.3 Sources of Microorganism in Indoor Environment 11

2.3.1 Outdoor Air 12

2.3.2 Humans as Sources of Indoor Microorganism 12

2.3.3 Plants 13

2.3.4 Heating 14

2.3.5 On-site Inspection 14

2.3.6 Allergens in Educational Facility 15

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD 

3.1 Sampling Sites 16

3.2 Collection of Sample 16 

3.3 Method 16

3.4 Laboratory Analysis 17

3.5 Sterilization Practices 17

3.6 Media Used 18

3.7 Enumeration of Microorganism 18

3.8 Characterization and Identification of Isolates 18

3.8.1 Lactophenol Cotton Blue Stain 18

3.8.2 Gram Staining 18

3.8.3 Biochemical Test 19

3.8.4 Catalase Test 19

3.8.5 Coagulase Test 19

3.8.6 Oxidase Test 20

3.8.7 Citrate Test 20

3.8.8 Indole Test 20

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS 21

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 30

5.1 Discussion 30

5.2 Conclusion 32

5.3 Recommendation 32

Appendix I

Appendix II