Potential pathogens in the school environment

Abstract

Pathogenic microorganisms are potent threats to school health. In this experiment, Colony Forming Unit (a viable bacterial colony count) samplings were taken, in various regions of a school, of microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, various aerobic bacteria, and molds) in order to find a pattern of distribution between the colony count and the environment. Fifteen hall passes were sampled from three regions of a school, and then categorized into groups A, B, and C (each of five hall passes). It was hypothesized that regions near entranceways would contain more molds (Group A), regions in the vicinity of lavatories would contain more mold and yeast (Group B), and regions with most students would contain more Staphylococcus aureus and aerobic bacteria (Group C). Data overall supported the hypothesis: Group A registered a large count of mold, and Group B surpassed all other regions in the count of both mold and yeast colonies. Furthermore, Group C showed significantly more Staphylococcus aureus and other aerobic bacterial colonies than Group A or B.