Sources of air-borne Micro-organisms:-

Sources of Micro-organisms-
Airborne bacteria can be treated more effectively if their origin is known. Many fungi grow in built
environments such as water-damaged homes, schools, and daycare centers, creating severe sanitary
problems and potentially being responsible for health issues in humans .There are many sources of bacteria
found in houses, although the majority of house microbe studies have collected samples using surface
swabbing as a proxy for integrated airborne bacterial sampling. The most common sources: human
occupants, water, and the outdoor environment, because in our current review, we aim to determine what
environmental factors should be measured to understand indoor airborne bacterial communities and
concentrations.The first major source is water, which disseminates bacteria through the home via showers, taps,
and toilets. Bacterial growth in buildings may also be facilitated by water leaks, floor flooding, and in relevant
areas, the rainy season. Once moisture has accumulated on building surfaces, bio-contaminants may proliferate on
surfaces and then be dispersed as bio aerosols. Flooding caused by natural disasters may also promote mold
growth and dispersed of bio aerosols. In the heavily water-damaged houses caused by Hurricanes, culturally fungi
were significantly higher in heavily water-damaged houses .The second source is the outdoor environment.
Airborne bacteria enter houses via natural ventilation components such as windows and doors, while other
environmental bacteria are transferred from shoes onto floors and carpets. Microbial communities found on floors
and carpets probably reflect cultural difference. Pets and plants are also important sources of indoor
microorganisms.

Materials used in making N-95 Masks and their Significance:-

N: This is a Respirator Rating Letter Class. It stands for “Non-Oil” meaning that if no oil-based particulates are
present, then you can use the mask in the work environment. Other masks ratings are R (resistant to oil for 8
hours) and P (oil proof).

95: Masks ending in a 95, have a 95 percent efficiency. Masks ending in a 99 have a 99 percent efficiency.
Masks ending in 100 are 99.97 percent efficient and that is the same as a HEPA quality filter.

.3 microns: The masks filter out contaminants like dusts, mists and fumes. The minimum size of .3 microns of
particulates and large droplets won’t pass through the barrier, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC.)

Material: The filtration material on the mask is an electrostatic non-woven polypropylene fiber.

Valve: Some disposable N95 masks come with an optional exhalation valve. “The presence of an exhalation
valve reduces exhalation resistance, which makes it easier to breathe (exhale,)” according to the CDC. 

 Difference between Surgical Masks and N-95 Masks:-

 1. Surgical Masks

A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the
mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment.
They may come with or without a face shield. These are often referred to as face masks,
although not all face masks are regulated as surgical masks .Surgical masks are made in
different thicknesses and with different ability to protect you from contact with liquids. These
properties may also affect how easily you can breathe through the face mask and how well the
surgical mask protects you .If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block large-
particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria),
keeping it from reaching your mouth and nose. Surgical masks may also help reduce exposure
of your saliva and respiratory secretions to others .While a surgical mask may be effective in
blocking splashes and large-particle droplets, a face mask, by design, does not filter or block
very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical
procedures.

2. N-95 Respirators
An N-95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit
and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are
designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. Surgical N-95 Respirators are commonly
used in healthcare settings and are a subset of N-95 Filtering Face piece Respirators (FFRs),
often referred to as N-95.

The similarities among surgical masks and surgical N-95 are:

1. They are tested for fluid resistance, filtration efficiency (particulate filtration efficiency
and bacterial filtration efficiency), flammability and biocompatibility.

2. They should not be shared or reused.