Microbiology of air

 Introduction:

Air is not the medium in which microorganisms can grow but it acts as a carrier for particulate matter
e.g. dust and microbes which may be loaded with microbes. The number and types of microorganisms
present in the air are determined by the source of contamination e.g. microorganisms from the
respiratory tract of human are sprayed into the air and these microorganisms can cause infection by
direct contact with an individual (during coughing and sneezing) or indirectly by breath in recently
contaminated air and this process is called as “droplet infection”. Certain diseases such as common cold,
measles, mumps, influenza, diphtheria, tuberculosis, streptococcus and staphylococcus affected
infections, whooping cough, may also be transmitted due to microorganisms present in the air. Fungal
diseases are also commonly spread through the air because their sexual spores are very mobile in air
currents. Microorganisms introduced into the air may be transported from a few feet to many miles.
Some of these microorganisms die in a matter of second while some others may survive for weeks or
months.
The ultimate rate (fate) of air born microorganisms is controlled by a complex set of circumstances
including the atmospheric conditions (humidity, sunlight and temperature) the size of the
particle bearing the microorganisms i.e. the resistance of a particular species to the new physical
environments.
Microbiological analysis of air
Techniques for microbiological analysis of air. There are two principle means of monitoring the
microbiological population of the air, passive monitoring and active sampling. Both have a part to play,
but active sampling methods have become an essential environmental monitoring tool, especially in the
pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.

• Passive monitoring is usually done using ‘settle plates’.

• Active monitoring requires the use of a microbiological air sampler to physically draw a known
volume of air over, or through, a particle collection device and there are two main types i.e.
impingers and impactors.

A. Settling plate (sedimentation plate):

Settle plates (also known as sedimentation plates or settling plates) are used in the pharmaceutical
industry for semi-quantitative determination of microbial contaminations in the air. Standard Petri
dishes containing appropriate culture media that are opened and exposed for a given time and then
incubated to allow visible colonies to develop and be counted. Settle plates are very limited in their
application since they are only really capable of monitoring viable biological particles that sediment out
of the air and settle onto a surface over the time of exposure. They will not detect smaller particles or
droplets suspended in the air and they cannot sample specific volumes of air, so the results are not
quantitative. Settle plates may easily become overgrown in heavily contaminated conditions and
interpretation of the data they produce can be difficult. On the other hand, settle plates are inexpensive
and easy use, requiring no special equipment.
 B. Sieve sampler:

It is a round container having lid with holes for the entrance of air. A petri dish containing nutrient agar
is placed into the container. In operation an air pump is attached to the lid and the air is drawn into the
unit by suction. After this the plate is removed, incubated and examined.

C. Slit sampler:

It is similar to sieve sampler except that it has no holes. Instead it has a single narrow slit. The air is
drawn through the slit at a high speed onto a Petri dish containing agar medium. Petri dish is rotated at
a uniform speed under the slit. During sampling operation one complete revolution is made. This
method gives the measurement of number and types of microorganisms at various time intervals. (fig on
next slide)

D. Membrane filter:

A membrane filter may be placed in the collecting tube and the air is drawn through the filter by suction.
Dust particles which contain microorganisms are trapped onto the filter surface. The contaminated filter
is then removed and placed onto a medium to allow the growth and then the colonies are counted.

E. Liquid impingement device:

In this system the air is forced through a fluid and this fluid traps any particle present in the air. This fluid
may be cultured to determine the types and number of microorganisms by a standard plate count.

F. Venturi-type air scrubber:

If the large samples of air are to be examined a special device called as Venturi-type air scrubber may be
used. This unit allows the passage of large volumes of air through a small volume of fluid.

G. Electrostatic devices:

Electrostatic devices collect particles by drawing air over an electrically charged surface. Both negatively
and positively charged microorganisms are trapped on an agar medium placed over a charged surface.
In this method air may be drawn by a blower.

CONTROL OF MICRORGANISMS IN AIR

METHODS USED FOR THE CONTROL OF MICROORGANISMS IN AIR

There are several methods for controlling the level of air contamination. However, following methods
are most commonly used.

1) Ultraviolet radiations:

Ultraviolet light is most effective against all types of microorganisms. It can be used to sterilize air but
due to its very little penetrating power, it can only be used for surface sterilization. However, if UV lamps
are placed skillfully, then radiations can be used to kill the microorganisms on the dust particle in the air
of a room. Direct exposure of eyes and skin should be avoided. UV lamps may also be placed in
hospitals, nurseries and wards, school rooms, laboratories, operating rooms and offices, the person
require a special tool (laboratory Coat, glasses, caps, gloves) and precautions adopted while operating.

2. Chemical agents:

Certain chemical agents when sprayed and vaporized into the air, are effective in reducing the
microorganisms present.

Some characteristics required for chemical agents in sterilization are as:

1) Highly bactericidal.

2) Easily and conveniently dispersed.

3) Effective at normal temperature and humidity.

4) Free of toxic and irritating effects to human.

5) Do not stain, discolor, or otherwise damage objects with which they contact.

Chemicals such as tri-ethylene glycol, lactic acid and β-propiolactone have been used for chemical
sterilization.

3. Filtration:

Cotton plug is the most commonly used filter in microbiological laboratories. Tubes and other glass
wares are kept close by this method. The cotton traps the microorganisms and thus air enters the flask
or tube is sterile. Air filters are generally made from cotton, glass or other fibrous materials. Their
efficacy as bacterial filter depends upon.

1) The rate of air flow through the filter.

2) The size of the particles to be filtered.

3) The nature of filter material as well as its thickness.

One disadvantage in using air filter is that they become clogged if the air contains an appreciable
amount of dust.

4. Miscellaneous methods:

Natural and mechanical ventilation of rooms reduces the microbial flora as in highly contaminated
room, air is replaced by cleaner air. Vacuum facilities should be present for the cleaning of rooms. If
vacuum cleaning facilities are not available some preparations such as oiled sawdust should be applied
before sweeping to prevent the dissemination of dust. Sawdust is commonly used as the absorptive
material in floor sweeping compounds. In addition to sawdust or some similar absorbent fibrous
material, sweeping compounds usually contain oils or waxes, of varying kinds, or water-wax emulsions.
Other materials sometimes found in sawdust compounds are salt, sand, a coloring material, and a
perfuming agent. There are two general types of sweeping compounds containing sawdust. One kind,
containing oil, is for use on cement, terrazzo, wood, and other floors not affected by mineral oil. In the
other the oil is replaced by a water-wax emulsion to make it suitable for use on linoleum, rubber,
asphalt, tile, and mastic floors likely to be affected by oil.