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Airborne microbes might pose an environmental hazard when present in high concentration in indoor environments, resulting in potential health problems. In Malaysia, there is only limited information currently available on individual exposure to bioaerosols. The aim of this study was to assess the level of bacterial and fungal contaminations in two air-conditioned laboratories in STRIDE's Main Complex, Kajang, Selangor. The study was conducted in three sampling locations (two laboratories and one outdoor). Each measurement was conducted in three time intervals (morning, noon and evening). Each air sample was collected for 2 min at sampling flow rate of 28.3 L/min. The samples were assessed in the laboratory for enumeration of viable bacteria and fungi. Agar plates for bacteria were incubated at 35oC for 24-48 h. The outdoor environment showed bacteria count of 120 CFU/m3, which is still acceptable based on the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) (500 CFU/m3). However, it showed very high fungal count of 2,537 CFU/m3, which exceeded the limit set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (1,000 CFU/m3). The average concentration of the bacterial and fungal aerosols on the two studied laboratories did not exceed the limits. The analysis of microbial contamination showed that the concentration of bacterial and fungal aerosols were higher outdoors than indoors. The results obtained in this study indicated that the two laboratories' exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi is generally low and safe for laboratory workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne microbes might pose an environmental hazard when present in high concentration in indoor environments, resulting in potential health problems. In Malaysia, there is only limited information currently available on individual exposure to bioaerosols. The aim of this study was to assess the level of bacterial and fungal contaminations in two air-conditioned laboratories in STRIDE's Main Complex, Kajang, Selangor. The study was conducted in three sampling locations (two laboratories and one outdoor). Each measurement was conducted in three time intervals (morning, noon and evening). Each air sample was collected for 2 min at sampling flow rate of 28.3 L/min. The samples were assessed in the laboratory for enumeration of viable bacteria and fungi. Agar plates for bacteria were incubated at 35oC for 24-48 h. The outdoor environment showed bacteria count of 120 CFU/m3, which is still acceptable based on the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) (500 CFU/m3). However, it showed very high fungal count of 2,537 CFU/m3, which exceeded the limit set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (1,000 CFU/m3). The average concentration of the bacterial and fungal aerosols on the two studied laboratories did not exceed the limits. The analysis of microbial contamination showed that the concentration of bacterial and fungal aerosols were higher outdoors than indoors. The results obtained in this study indicated that the two laboratories' exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi is generally low and safe for laboratory workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]