ABSTRACT

The microbial air quality of market places was evaluated for the presence of bacteria and fungi of public health importance. About ten samples were used in this study which were gotten from the following market places, Ndoru market, Ubani market, Orie-ugba market, Aria-aria market and Ahia-ohuru market. The total heterotrophic plate count (THPC) ranged from 3.1 x 102cfu/m3 to 9.0x102cfu/m3 while total fungal plate count (TFPC) ranged from 2.6x102cfu/m3 to 6.1x10x102cfu/m3 for market day. The total heterotrophic plate count (THPC) ranged from  2.9x102cfu/m3 to 6.2x101cfu/m3 while total fungal plate count (TFPC) ranged from   1.6x102cfu/m3 to 2.9x101cfu/m3 for non-market day. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp and Streptococcus spp. were isolated as bacterial isolates. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer were isolated as fungal isolates. Occurrence of microbial isolates shows that Staphylococcus aureus 20% had the highest percentage occurrence while Bacillus sp 10%, Micrococcus sp 10%, Streptococcus spp 10% and Aspergillus niger 10% had the lowest occurrence. Aspergillus flavus 16.67% and Rhizopus stolonifer 13.33% had different counts. Considering all available threshold limits for bacterial concentrations in the air environments, it is clear that the market places are heavily loaded with bacteria. The relatively high concentration of bacteria and fungi in the air environments in this study may pose a little health hazard to immune-compromised individuals. Its recommended that hand should be washed immediately after visited the market places.The result of statistical analysis shows that there is significant different (P<0.05) amongst the mean values.