A COMPARATIVE STUDY FOR POTENTIAL OF MICROBIAL POLLUTION IN THE AMBIENT AIR OF MILAD HOSPITAL, BLOOD TRANSFUSION ORGANIZATION AND TEHRAN’S SHAHRAKE GHARB WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

the existing aerosols in air can be a factor for separation of microorganisms. Bio
aerosols are one of the most important ways of infectious illnesses separation. The aim of this
investigation is to compare potential of separation of fungal aerosols in air around Tehran’s Milad
hospital, Tehran’s shahrake gharb waste water treatment plant and blood transfusion organization.
Materials & Methods: This cross- sectional investigation was done in Milad hospital, blood transfusion
organization and Tehran’s sharke ghods waste water treatment plant from Mars 2012 until June 2013.
The sampling was done passively according to EPA sampling calendar in the year 2013, for 1 hour once
every 6 days. The culture medium for fungal samples was sabouraud dextrose agar and for bacterial
samples was Trypticase Soy agar. After sampling, they were transferred to laboratory, and they were
analyzed. At the same time, the temperature, humidity, wind speed and UV light indexes were measured
in the sampling areas.
Results: Comparing selected sampling stations, it was shown that the most bacterial density was for
aeration digester of waste water treatment plant (3303CFU/plate), and the least density was for100 meters
after the last unit of waste water treatment plant (529 CFU/plate).Dominant type of fungal in Milad
hospital and blood transfusion organization was related to Staphylococcus (46% and 49.6% respectively),
and it was related to Bacillus (36.3%) in waste water treatment plant. The most fungal density was for 100
meters after the last unit of waste water treatment plant (67 CFU/plate) and the least density was for
Milad hospital (30 CFU/plate). Dominant genera of fungal in waste water treatment plant and blood
transfusion organization was related to Cladosporium(in order of 49% and 84%)and in air around Milad
hospital was related to Alternaria (47%).
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, microbial aerosol density in the air around processing
and operating sections of waste water treatment plant was more than milad hospital and blood transfusion
organization. In another words processing and operating sections in waste water treatment plants affect
microbial density. Appropriate administration of environment health in waste water treatment plant can be
an important factor in the reduction of aerosol separation. Also it seems to be vital that the responsible
organizations should do the necessary actions to develop guidelines and standards related to microbial
pollutions.