AAAR 32nd Annual Conference
September 30 - October 4, 2013
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
Seasonal and Environmental Factors Associated with Microbes Living in Our Homes
PATRICIA KEADY, Shelly Miller, Noah Fierer, Joanne B. Emerson, Jonathan Awerbuch, Oluwaseun Oyatogan, Suraj Prabhu, Kangqian Wu, Allie James, Rob Dunn, Holly Menninger, University of Colorado Boulder
Abstract Number: 102 Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract Using relatively-low-cost, high-throughput DNA sequencing techniques, investigators can explore the diversity of bacterial and fungal microbes found inside buildings. The objective of this research is to identify factors within the home environment that influence the community of bacteria and fungi found within the home. The study spans one year to evaluate temporal variation and seasonal relationships. The study population consists of 15 single-family residences on the northern front range of Colorado, with between 2 to 5 non-smoking occupants. The homes vary in age, design, heating and ventilation systems, type of fuel source, rural or urban location, and the number of children, pets, and plants. Hypotheses that result from detailed consideration of these houses will be compared to ongoing work in over a thousand homes spread across a wide geographical area. In this way they will be tested across many more houses and contexts both in a general sense and with regard to the abundance and diversity of particular taxa.
Twice each season the research team visited the study homes to conduct detailed 24-hour measurement of indoor and outdoor air quality, and collect air and surface samples for microbial DNA sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq platform. Air quality data included temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and particulate concentration (PM10/PM2.5). Surface swab samples were taken from six locations: top of an exterior door sill, top of an interior door sill, kitchen surface where food is prepared, used pillowcase, floor surface near the indoor air sampling station, and face of a HVAC air filter. The air filter was replaced (or cleaned) at the start of each season. Investigators documented the building infrastructure with a walk-through inspection. Volunteer participants completed a questionnaire and activity diary for the sample period. This presentation focuses on findings from the winter through summer season investigation.