The Indoor Microbiome and Potential Exposure Risks in Homes and Buildings throughout Puerto Rico

All of the living microorganisms inside of an indoor environment, and their by-products, are known collectively as the indoor microbiome. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the microbiome that surrounds us is diverse and dynamic, made up of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other single-celled organisms. These microorganisms may be growing or inactive, and may be present in different life stages, such as spores or growing cells.
 
Regarding what is a “normal” indoor microbiome, EPA declares that every building has a microbiome, but there is no normal or typical indoor microbiome found in all homes or buildings. The indoor microbiome in an individual home or building depends on many factors, including the people and pets that occupy it and their behaviors; the type, design, maintenance, building materials and location of the home or building; and climate and other local conditions.
 
Indoors, these microorganisms can often become airborne and will settle on surfaces. They can also re-enter the air by resuspension, which is stirring up settled dust. This happens as people and pets move around or do various indoor activities. Some building features and conditions can impact the growth of microorganisms and their resuspension indoors, such as building materials, temperature and humidity, condensation or water leaks, and airflow patterns. How microorganisms move with the air indoors may also be influenced by HVAC systems, opening windows and doors, and fan usage.
 
“Most microorganisms indoors come from people, pets, pests, air, water and areas of active microbial growth in the structure,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Some of the microorganisms that can be found indoors can be a concern if people are exposed to high levels of them in the air they breathe or through dermal contact. For example, mold can act as an allergen, asthma trigger or respiratory irritant. Some types can also cause infections in people with a weakened immune system. Exposure to Legionella can result in Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever, and exposure to a virus, such as the norovirus or coronavirus, could make someone sick.”
 
Helping building owners, facility managers and tenants in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean with comprehensive building inspections, testing and monitoring for mold, bacteria and viruses are the building science professionals at Zimmetry Environmental. They even recently sponsored an educational video about the indoor microbiome that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/oTbWz86uj7g 
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their building science, indoor air quality, infection control, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail