Environmental Factors and Ventilation Affect Concentrations of Microorganisms in Hospital Wards of Southern Thailand

Table 4

Summary of the average bacterial and fungal concentrations and other key environmental characteristics by hospital ward.

Method		A	B	C	D	Recommended level
Biosampler	Bacteria (CFU/m^3)	533.81	550.15	577.00	880.19	<1,000 FU/m^3
	Fungi (CFU/m^3)	351.19	261.36	264.67	318.70	<500 FU/m^3
	Temperature (°C)	27.17^†	27.09^†	27.18^†	26.83^†	22–26.1°C
	Air velocity (m/s)	0.719^†	0.832^†	0.942^†	0.817^†	<0.25 m/s
	Humidity (%)	72.00^†	72.33^†	72.00^†	72.00^†	30–60% RH
Open plate	Bacteria (CFU/m^3)	271.56	454.58	325.69	442.55	<1,000 FU/m^3
	Fungi (CFU/m^3)	40.69	46.67	57.40	58.65	<500 FU/m^3
	Temperature (°C)	27.27^†	27.36^†	27.19^†	27.05^†	22–26.1°C
	Air velocity (m/s)	0.556^†	0.698^†	0.668^†	0.741^†	<0.25 m/s
	Humidity (%)	72.25^†	72.05^†	72.33^†	72.00^†	30–60% RH

Remark: NIOSH, 2004; WHO, 2000, ASHRAE 55, 2004; ^†not in compliance with standard.