Socioeconomic Status and Indoor Environmental Quality in a Rural Georgia Community
Document Type
Presentation
Presentation Date
11-2-2016
Abstract or Description
Background and Objectives: The relationships between low socioeconomic status (SES) and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in rural US areas are unexplored. Low-income, poor housing conditions, and low education level may condition rural people's knowledge of and access to appropriate health interventions. The study objectives were examining these SES measures and several IEQ parameters (airborne bacteria and mold, and house dust ATP - an indicator of microbial activity) in rural Georgia homes.
Methods: Biostage viable impactor was utilized for air sampling (18 households), which comprises an inlet cone, an impactor stage, and a base that holds an agar plate, where microorganisms are collected. ATP levels in swabbed dust samples were measured by a kit, which utilized luciferin-luciferase fluorescence reaction, and a luminometer. A questionnaire was administered to assess respiratory health and basic demographics of residents; including questions to determine above-mentioned SES measures.
Results:Preliminary data showed that culturable mold and bacterial concentrations ranged from 167 to 527 CFU/m3. Mold concentrations were higher in homes with high SES individuals and bacterial concentrations were higher in homes of low SES. Average ATP levels collected from hard surfaces ranged from 257 RLU to 769.4 RLU, and those collected from carpet ranged from 329.5 to 1,467.1. On both surfaces, ATP levels were significantly higher (p
Conclusions: Preliminary data indicate that SES measures influence microbial exposures in rural Georgia homes. Appropriate policy interventions are required to improve IEQ among rural Georgia residents of low SES.
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting (APHA)
Location
Denver, CO
Recommended Citation
Spence, Errol, Ferdous Ahmed, Gulzar H. Shah, Atin Adhikari.
2016.
"Socioeconomic Status and Indoor Environmental Quality in a Rural Georgia Community."
Department of Health Policy and Community Health Faculty Presentations.
Presentation 160.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/hpmb-facpres/160