天美传媒

Indoor Air Quality; Airborne Microbiota; Ventilation Systems; Disease Transmission; Antibiotic Resistance Genes; Particulate Matter (PM2.5); Healthcare Environments; School Air Quality; Public Health; Environmental Factors

Introduction

Indoor air quality is a critical determinant of public health, directly impacting the well-being of individuals across various environments. The air we breathe indoors, often containing a complex mix of microorganisms and particulate matter, poses significant challenges for health, especially in densely populated or enclosed spaces. Understanding the composition of airborne microbiota and its correlation with environmental factors is paramount for developing effective public health interventions. Multiple studies have delved into the intricacies of indoor airborne microbiota, examining its composition and relationship with environmental variables. For instance, investigations into indoor airborne microbiota, encompassing bacteria and fungi, have shown strong correlations with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and various meteorological conditions. These findings underscore the profound influence of environmental factors on microbial diversity and concentration within indoor spaces, which carries significant implications for air quality and public health generally [1].

Characterizing the microbial and chemical compositions of PM2.5 in public buildings further reveals a diverse array of bacterial and fungal species along with chemical pollutants. This research emphasizes potential health risks linked to indoor air quality and highlights the pressing need for comprehensive monitoring and control strategies in such settings [3].

Extending this, studies characterizing bacterial communities in indoor air across residential buildings in different climatic zones demonstrate significant variations in bacterial diversity and abundance. These variations are often influenced by environmental factors and building characteristics, pointing to regional differences in potential indoor air pathogen exposure within homes [9].

Similarly, microbial aerosols, including bacteria and fungi, have been characterized in various public transportation environments. Distinct microbial profiles emerge in different transport modes, influenced by passenger density and ventilation, which raises considerable public health concerns regarding pathogen exposure in these frequently used spaces [10].

The transmission of airborne diseases, particularly viral pathogens, remains a major public health challenge, prompting extensive research into effective mitigation strategies. Ventilation systems play a critical role in reducing such transmission within school environments. Evidence consistently points to the importance of adequate ventilation strategies in curbing the spread of respiratory infections among students and staff, offering vital actionable insights for public health interventions in educational settings [2].

Reinforcing this, a comprehensive living review synthesizes the latest evidence on the effectiveness of ventilation, filtration, and disinfection strategies in indoor environments. This review specifically aims to reduce airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens. It clearly underscores the critical role of these engineering controls in enhancing indoor air quality and safeguarding public health against infectious diseases [5].

Furthermore, technologies like upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UR-UVGI) have been systematically reviewed for their effectiveness in inactivating airborne pathogens within healthcare environments. The evidence consistently supports UR-UVGI as a valuable intervention for reducing the transmission of various infectious agents, presenting a promising supplementary strategy for elevating indoor air hygiene in critical healthcare settings [8].

Beyond general pathogen transmission, specific health risks tied to indoor air quality, such as antibiotic resistance and impacts on vulnerable populations like children, are increasingly under scrutiny. Research has investigated indoor air quality and the prevalence of airborne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within university student dormitories. Findings demonstrate a considerable presence of ARGs in these shared living spaces, raising significant concerns about potential public health risks related to antibiotic resistance dissemination. This highlights an urgent need for improved ventilation and hygiene practices in such communal living areas [4].

In a similar vein, the microbiome and resistome profiles of indoor air in hospital settings within emerging market economies have been explored. This research revealed a diverse range of bacterial species and a significant presence of antibiotic resistance genes, which underscores potential risks for healthcare-associated infections and the wider spread of antimicrobial resistance in these critical environments [6].

Concerning children's health, studies have specifically examined the composition of airborne bacterial communities in school classrooms. Findings suggest that specific indoor bacterial profiles may indeed influence respiratory health outcomes in children, thereby emphasizing the profound importance of continuous monitoring and proactive management of classroom air quality to protect student well-being effectively [7].

Description

The foundational understanding of indoor air quality hinges on comprehensive analyses of airborne microorganisms. Multiple studies have consistently investigated the composition of airborne microbiota, which includes both bacteria and fungi, in diverse indoor settings. These investigations reveal how environmental factors, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and various meteorological conditions, significantly influence the diversity and concentration of these indoor airborne microorganisms [1]. This relationship has profound implications for both air quality and broader public health concerns. Further explorations have extended to characterizing the microbial and chemical makeup of PM2.5 in public buildings, identifying a complex mixture of bacterial, fungal species, and chemical pollutants that collectively indicate potential health risks associated with inadequate indoor air quality [3]. Such findings underscore the critical need for robust monitoring and strategic control measures in shared public spaces.

Examining specific indoor environments yields crucial insights into localized air quality challenges. In school classrooms, for instance, research has focused on airborne bacterial communities and their potential links to children's health. The evidence suggests that particular indoor bacterial profiles can impact children's respiratory health, making it imperative to monitor and manage air quality in these learning environments to safeguard student well-being [7]. University student dormitories represent another area of concern, where studies have investigated indoor air quality and the prevalence of airborne antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). A considerable presence of ARGs in these shared living spaces raises serious public health concerns regarding the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced ventilation and hygiene practices [4]. Moving to critical healthcare settings, the microbiome and resistome profiles of hospital indoor air, particularly in emerging market economies, have been characterized. This work consistently reveals a diverse range of bacterial species and a significant presence of ARGs, posing substantial risks for healthcare-associated infections and the global spread of antimicrobial resistance [6]. Lastly, public transportation environments in regions like China have also been scrutinized for microbial aerosols, including bacteria and fungi. Distinct microbial profiles emerge across different transport modes, influenced by factors such as passenger density and ventilation, signaling potential public health concerns related to pathogen exposure in these high-traffic areas [10].

Mitigating airborne disease transmission is a cornerstone of indoor air quality management. Ventilation systems are particularly vital in this regard, especially within school environments, where they play a pivotal role in reducing the spread of viral pathogens. The critical importance of adequate ventilation strategies in lowering respiratory infection rates among students and staff cannot be overstated, offering actionable insights for public health interventions [2]. A broader perspective is offered by a living review that synthesizes the latest evidence on the effectiveness of integrated strategies involving ventilation, filtration, and disinfection in indoor environments. This review confirms their efficacy in reducing the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections, firmly establishing these engineering controls as essential for enhancing indoor air quality and public health protection against infectious diseases [5]. Advanced solutions like upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UR-UVGI) technology have also been systematically evaluated for inactivating airborne pathogens within healthcare settings. The evidence consistently supports UR-UVGI as an effective intervention for reducing the transmission of various infectious agents, thereby offering a promising supplementary strategy for improving indoor air hygiene in these critical environments [8].

The overarching environmental context significantly shapes indoor air quality and microbial landscapes. Research in residential buildings across distinct climatic zones, such as those in Iran, has characterized bacterial communities in indoor air. These studies have found notable variations in bacterial diversity and abundance that are clearly influenced by regional environmental factors and specific building characteristics [9]. This finding emphasizes that potential indoor air pathogen exposure in homes can differ significantly based on geographic location and architectural design. The correlation between indoor airborne microbiota composition and environmental factors like PM2.5 and meteorological conditions, first noted in broader indoor studies, reiterates that a holistic approach considering macro-environmental influences is necessary to fully grasp and manage indoor air quality effectively [1]. Understanding these dynamic interactions allows for more targeted and geographically sensitive public health strategies, moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to indoor air quality management.

Collectively, these studies highlight the complex interplay between indoor environments, microbial populations, and human health. From fundamental characterization of airborne microbes and pollutants to the assessment of specific disease risks like antibiotic resistance, and the evaluation of mitigation technologies, the body of research underscores a unified message: proactive and comprehensive approaches are essential for safeguarding indoor air quality. This calls for integrated strategies that combine effective ventilation, advanced filtration, targeted disinfection, and continuous monitoring, tailored to the unique demands of various indoor settings, to ultimately enhance public health and prevent disease transmission.

Conclusion

Research highlights the intricate relationship between indoor environments and airborne microorganisms, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and public health concerns. One key area of focus involves understanding the composition of airborne microbiota, including bacteria and fungi, within various indoor settings such as homes, public buildings, schools, university dormitories, hospitals, and public transportation environments. Environmental factors, including meteorological conditions, profoundly influence the diversity and concentration of these microorganisms, impacting indoor air quality [1]. Studies characterize the microbial and chemical makeup of PM2.5 in public buildings, revealing diverse bacterial and fungal species alongside chemical pollutants, which pose potential health risks [3]. A significant aspect of current research addresses airborne disease transmission. Ventilation systems are crucial in mitigating the spread of viral pathogens in schools, emphasizing the need for robust ventilation strategies to protect students and staff [2]. Further, a living review reinforces the effectiveness of ventilation, filtration, and disinfection in reducing airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections, underscoring their role in public health protection [5]. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in indoor air is a growing concern. Research found considerable ARGs in university dormitories, indicating potential public health risks from antibiotic resistance dissemination and stressing the need for better hygiene [4]. Similarly, hospital indoor air in emerging economies shows diverse microbiomes and resistomes, posing risks for healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance spread [6]. Finally, studies on bacterial communities in school classrooms suggest links to children's respiratory health, pointing to the importance of monitoring and managing classroom air quality [7]. Regional differences in indoor air bacterial communities, influenced by climate and building characteristics, have also been observed in residential buildings [9]. Additionally, microbial aerosols in public transportation vary significantly with passenger density and ventilation, raising public health concerns [10]. Interventions like upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UR-UVGI) prove effective in inactivating airborne pathogens in healthcare settings, offering a supplementary strategy for improved air hygiene [8].

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