Journal of Environmental Biology

Study on microbial and fungal contamination of air and wooden surfaces inside of a historical Church from Romania

D.C. Ilieș¹, A. Oneț²*, J.A. Wendt³, M. Ilieș⁴, A. Timar², A. Ilieș¹, Ș. Baias¹ and G.V. Herman¹

¹Faculty of Geography, Tourism and Sport, University of Oradea, Oradea, 410087, Romania

²Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, Oradea, 410048, Romania

³Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, 80-309, Poland

⁴Faculty of Geography, University ``Babes Bolyai`` Cluj Napoca, Extension Sighetu Marmatiei, 435500, Romania

*Corresponding Author E-mail: aurelia_onet@yahoo.com

Key words

Airborne transmission

Bio-deterioration

Microaeroflora

Wooden church

Publication Data

Paper received : 25.05.2017

Revised received : 23.10.2017

Re-revised received : 20.01.2018

Accepted : 06.02.2018

Abstract

Aim: The degree of microbial contamination of air and surfaces reflect a potential risk of disease which increases proportionally with the density of microorganisms and the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic species. The paper focus on the degree of bacterial and fungal contamination of air and surfaces inside? a historical wooden church from Oradea city, Romania.?? ?

Methodology: The conventional technique of open plates (Koch sedimentation method) was used for the microaeroflora inside the wooden church. The air samples were taken from two places (from the middle of the room and from a corner, both places being at the same height), during different times of the day. In order to determine the fungi types present on the wood surfaces, dust samples were collected from five places inside the wooden church. ?

Results: The results obtained showed that the bacterial contamination of air had reached the maximum limit of 100 CFU/4 hrs, meanwhile fungal contamination had exceeded the contamination level C which provides 50 CFU/4 hrs according to the European Union Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice (1997). The fungi identified in the air inside of the wooden church belong to the genus : Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, Scopulariopsis, Arthrinium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Absidia and Geotrichum. ??

Interpretation: The results obtained from the analysis of microaeroflora inside the wooden church highlights the presence of various species of fungi with potential health risk at worship place. The environmental conditions present within the church favours the development of fungi and bacteria.

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