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Comparison of biocontaminant levels associated with hard vs. carpet floors in nonproblem schools: Results of a year long study

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 14, pages S41–S48 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Choosing the appropriate floor surface for a school environment is a complex issue. To assist school personnel in determining which flooring is best for their school, we studied the biocontaminant levels associated with carpeted and hard surface flooring. Two schools were selected, one predominantly tiled and one predominantly carpeted, as similar as possible with the exception of their floor coverings. Neither school was a “problem” building. Multiple biocontaminants were measured. For flooring, there were statistically significant differences for all the tested biocontaminants except fungi. The carpeted surfaces, being strong sinks, generally had higher surface loadings of the biocontaminants, while the airborne levels were significantly higher over tiled floors. Significant differences in airborne levels were found for dust mass, spores, fungi, β-1,3 glucans, and endotoxins. The results suggest that carpet flooring was not the major contributor to airborne levels of biocontaminants in these two nonproblem schools.

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Notes

  1. SAS is the registered trademark of SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA.

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Acknowledgements

We greatly appreciate the technical assistance of Tricia D Webber and Michael L Herman of RTI in collecting the data, C. Andrew Clayton, RTI statistician, for the statistical analysis and the Harnett County, NC School System for participating in the project. We would also like to thank Dr. Douglas VanOsdell for developing the school profile and Dr. Philip Lawless for his assistance in the interpretation of the data. This project was funded by the Carpet and Rug Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology Department, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, 27709, NC, USA

    Karin Foarde

  2. Environmental Studies Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA

    Michael Berry

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  1. Karin Foarde
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  2. Michael Berry
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Correspondence to Karin Foarde.

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Foarde, K., Berry, M. Comparison of biocontaminant levels associated with hard vs. carpet floors in nonproblem schools: Results of a year long study. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 14 (Suppl 1), S41–S48 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500357

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