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

Table 5

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

Method		Before	During	After	Recommended level
Biosampler	Bacteria (CFU/m^3)	479.59	675.14	749.05	<1,000 FU/m^3
	Fungi (CFU/m^3)	214.19	309.86	413.92	<500 FU/m^3
	Temperature (°C)	27.662^†	26.553^†	26.99^†	22–26.1°C
	Air velocity (m/s)	0.814^†	0.808^†	0.888^†	<0.25 m/s
	Humidity (%)	72.00^†	72.00^†	72.27^†	30–60% RH
Open plate	Bacteria (CFU/m^3)	326.06	376.89	418.79	<1,000 FU/m^3
	Fungi (CFU/m^3)	38.79	50.61	62.50	<500 FU/m^3
	Temperature (°C)	28.039^†	26.580^†	27.022^†	22–26.1°C
	Air velocity (m/s)	0.701^†	0.622^†	0.678^†	<0.25 m/s
	Humidity (%)	72.04^†	72.18^†	72.26^†	30–60% RH

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