Common Bacteria Affecting Indoor Air Quality

 Common indoor bacteria can lead to a variety of diseases and negative health issues. Infectious and noninfectious diseases are on the rise due to poor indoor air quality and indoor environmental conditions supporting bacterial growth.

Many of the bacterial strains found indoors that have a negative effect on the indoor environment tend to be human in origin. In other words, we as occupants are responsible for introducing and spreading the bacteria in our homes, offices and public indoor spaces.

Five Common Bacteria in Homes:

  1. Staphylococcus
  2. Micrococcus
  3. Pseudomonas
  4. Bacillus
  5. Streptococcus

Staphylococcus can be particularly drug resistant and can be found in nasal passages, mucous. Food spoilage and food poisoning as well as skin infections are a result of staph infections. It is of particular interest in hospital, adult care, senior homes and residential settings as Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of nosocomial or hospital acquired infections. This type of bacteria is easily transmitted through duct systems and can be inhaled by occupants on the home. It causes infections of the blood, skin and soft tissue as well as the respiratory system.

Micrococcus is very common on skin and is easily shed into the indoor environment as ordinary household dust. Usually this type of bacteria is a concern to people suffering from Lyme or lung cancer as well as other immune affecting diseases.

Pseudomonas is an opportunistic bacteria that attacks people with compromised immune systems. It is commonly found in damp areas (leaky basements, indoor fountains, unhealthy plants, etc). Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause skin infections in healthy people. It thrives in bathrooms, kitchen sinks and damp basements. Infections are common for skin, ears, eyes and the digestive tract.

Bacillus is a very common and hardy bacteria. Most of the nonpathogenic bacteria are bacillus. They are found in both airborne and settled household dust. Bacillus pumilus, however, can cause food poisoning and affects kitchen counters as well as inside fridges.

Streptococcus can also invade the indoor environment and lead to strep throat. This can affect high traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces from breathing, coughing and sneezing indoors.

There is no single method of protecting your indoor air quality or indoor environment from these bacteria. They are part of our natural environment. There are a number of ways to prevent the spread of the organisms and there are some good mechanical methods to reduce the chance these bacteria have of surviving on the air and on surfaces.

The best line of defence is making sure you have good indoor air quality in your home and office environment. To do this, it is crucial that you know what your indoor air quality is like and where you need to improve your indoor air quality.

Indoor air quality testing is the only way you can protect yourself from poor indoor air quality and Bacteria.

Call us today, we can help you protect your indoor environment.

More Indoor Air Quality and Bacteria Links

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935117316523

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1764174/

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