Bacterial Bioaerosol Concentrations in Public Restroom Environments

Abstract

The number concentrations of total culturable bacterial bioaerosols in seven public restroom environments were measured via a standard measurement method provided by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea. Outdoor bioaerosols were also measured to compare with data collected in public restrooms. The measurements were conducted for one year, with varying concentrations of airborne bacterial bioaerosols observed in public restrooms. The effect of the number of users on the concentration of bioaerosols in public restrooms was also analyzed. The experimental results provided useful and basic information for the study and development of control methods against bioaerosols in public restrooms.