Assessment of Bioaerosol Pollution in Industrial and Urban Environments of Ouargla Region, Algeria

Abstract

Bioaerosol pollution in Industrial and Urban Environments can lead to the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms through inhalation. This study focused on measuring and analyzing bioaerosol concentrations in indoor and outdoor environments in urban and industrial areas and the factors affecting them. The study found that the concentration of airborne Bacteria indoors ranged from 29 to 1039 CFU/m³, while outdoor concentrations ranged from 18 to 183 CFU/m³. For Fungal concentration, indoor levels ranged from 3.7 to 83 CFU/m³, whereas outdoor levels ranged from 1.8 to 106 CFU/m³. Generally, the Bioaerosol concentrations were within safe limits, except in the Hospital and the National Drilling Company, where they exceeded the recommended guidelines of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists. Geographical location and climate were identified as significant, also human factors affecting Bioaerosol concentration. The study also emphasized the importance of further research on respiratory pathogens and the need for solutions to minimize Bioaerosol exposure.