Microbial counts and particulate matter levels in roadside air samples under skytrain stations, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

In conditions with heavy traffic and crowds of people on roadside areas under skytrain stations in Bangkok, the natural air ventilation may be insufficient and air quality may be poor. A study of 350 air samples collected from the road-side, under skytrain stations in Bangkok, was carried out to assess microbial counts (210 air samples) and particulate matter (PM10) levels (140 samples). The results reveal the mean ± standard deviation bacterial counts and fungal counts were 406.8±302.7 cfu/m3 and 128.9±89.7 cfu/m3, respectively. The PM10 level was 186.1±188.1 μg/m3. When compared to recommended levels, 4.8% of air samples (10/210 samples) had bacterial counts more than recommended levels (>1,000 cfu/ m3) and 27.1% (38/140 samples) had PM10 levels more than recommended levels (>120 μg/m3). These may affect human health, especially of street venders who spend most of their working time in these areas.