Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the total mould and bacteria levels in the kindergartens in Istanbul City, Fatih District.
Materials: This is a cross sectional study and was performed in 15 preschool institutions in Fatih district in May 2007.
Methods: Merck Air Sampler Mas 100 was used for measurements.
Results: The total amounts of bacteria grown in the stations measured (classroom, lunch room, kitchen and toilets) were as follows: 946.43 ± 1033.79 CFU·m−3 in the morning and 849.29 ± 594 CFU·m−3 in the afternoon. Total mould numbers were 489.64 ± 441.25 CFU·m−3 in the morning and 993.39 ± 1013.52 CFU·m−3 in the afternoon. Cladosporium spp. and Aspergillus spp. were found to be the most commonly reproduced mould species. The total mould levels were found to be higher in stations with aluminium window framing and floor carpeting. Furthermore, when compared in terms of total mould levels, there was no difference between concrete and brick buildings; and also, total bacteria count was higher in brick buildings during the morning measurements.
Conclusion: For providing a better indoor air quality in kindergartens, natural ventilation, polyvinyl chloride windows, concrete building, minimum furniture and textile materials (sofas, cushions, curtains and kids’ clothing) are preferable.
YuCCrumpD: Indoor environmental quality – standards for protection of occupants’ safety, health and environment: Indoor Built Environ2010;19(5):499–502.
MeklinTHyvarinenAToivolaMReponenTKoponenVHusmanTTaskinenTKorppiM: Effect of building frame and moisture damage on microbiological indoor air quality in school buildings: Am Ind Hyg Assoc J2003;64(1):108–116.
5.
SinghJYuCWFKimJT: Building pathology, investigation of sick buildings – toxic moulds: Indoor Built Environ2010;19(1):40–47.
6.
LugauskasAJaskelevičiusB: Micromycetes hazardous to human health in buildings of various age and use in Vilnius: Indoor Built Environ2007;16(4):349–357.
7.
LangJH: Mould: the next environmental industry: Indoor Built Environ2004;13:165–167.
8.
MoonHJYoonYR: Investigation of physical characteristics of houses and occupants’ behavioural factors for mould infestation in residential buildings: Indoor Built Environ2010;19(1):57–64.
9.
WongLTChanWYMuiKWHuiPS: An assessment of airborne fungi exposure risk level in air-conditioned offices: Indoor Built Environ2009;18(6):553–561.
10.
VegasCAlvesCCarolinoERosadoLSantosCS: Prevalence of fungi in indoor air with references to gymnasiums with swimming pools: Indoor Built Environ2010;19(5):555–561.
11.
KeskinYÖzyaralOBaşkayaRAslanHHayranO: A high school building indoor air considered as a sick building syndrome: Effects on teachers and students: Astım Allerji Immünoloji2005;3(3):116–130.
12.
AyvazÖErbilSGüngörGGülHÖnalAEÖzelSGürtekinB: The evaluation of indoor air quality of two primary schools according to fungal flora. 10. National Public Health Congress Book, Van, 2006, 120.
Republic of Turkey National Education Ministry: Regulations of preschool education, Official Newspaper 2007; No: 26683, October27, 2007.
16.
Turkish Standards Institute: Turkish Standard 12014, School and Environment Health Standard, April1996.
17.
Turkish Standards Institute: Turkish Standard 9518, School and Environment Health Standard, Ankara, April2000.
18.
The Regulations About Private Kindergartens, Day Cares and Private Children Clubs’ Foundation and Operation, Official Newspaper No: 22781, October08, 1996. http://shcek.gov.tr
19.
Ministry of Education, Preschool Education Institutions Regulation, Official Newspaper No: 25486, June08, 2004.
20.
GüllüGMenteşeS: Bioaerosol levels of Indoor Air, VIII. National Installation Architecture Congress, Proceedings Book, Izmir, October25–28, 2007, 360.
21.
AydoğduHAssanA: Monitoring of fungi and bacteria in the indoor air of primary schools in Edirne City, Turkey: Indoor Built Environ2005;14(5):411–425.
22.
O’ConnorGWalterM: Airborne fungi in the homes of children with asthma in low-income urban communities: The inner-city asthma study: J Allergy Clin Immunol2004;114(3):599–606.
23.
SheltonBKirklandK: Profiles of airborne fungi in buildings and outdoor environments in the United States: Appl Environ Microbiol2002;68(4):1743–1753.
24.
DacarroCPiccoAM: Determination of aerial microbiological contamination in scholastic sports environments: J Appl Microbiol2003;95(5):904–912(9).
25.
GotsRELaytonNJPiragesSW: Indoor health: Background levels of fungi: AIHA J2003;64:427–438.
26.
DaiseyJMAngellWJApteMG: Indoor air quality, ventilatıon and health symptoms in schools: An analysis of existing information: Indoor Air2003;13(1):53–64.
27.
SinghJYuCWFKimJT: Building pathology, investigation of sick buildings – toxic moulds: Indoor Built Environ2010;19(1):40–47.
28.
GülHİşseverHGüngörG: Occupational and environmental risk factors for the sick building syndrome in modern offices in Istanbul: Indoor Built Environ2007;16:47–54.
29.
Turkish Standards Institute: Turkish Standard 12281, Environment Health-Precautions for Indoor Air, Ankara, April1997.
30.
ToivolaMAlmSReponenT: Personal exposures and microenvironmental concentrations of particles and bioaerosols: Environ Monit2002;4:166–174.
31.
KarwowskaE: Microbiological air contamination in some educational settings: Pol J Environ Stud2003;12(2):181–185.
32.
MeklinT: Microbial Exposure and Healthin Schools - Effect of Moisture Damage and Renovation. Kuopio, Finland, Kuopio University Printing Office, 2002,20–32.
33.
BektaşBAksoyUT: Energy performance of window systems of buildings in cold climate regions: Sci Eng J Fırat Univ2005;17(3):499–508.
34.
LeeJHJoWK: Characteristics of indoor and outdoor bioaerosols at Korean high-rise apartment buildings: Environ Res2006;101(1):11–17.
35.
DybendalTElsayedS: Dust from carpeted and smooth floors. VI. Allergens in homes compared with those in schools in Norway: Allergy1994;49(4):210–216.
36.
AtambayMAycanÖMDaldalN: House dust mite fauna in Malatya: Acta Parasitol Turcica2006;30(3):205–208.
37.
AycanÖMAtambayMDaldalÜN: Investigation of house dust mite incidence according to social factors: Acta Parasitol Turcica2007;31(3):219–224.
