With You in the Room, Bacteria Counts Spike

Simply by entering a room, a person can add 37 million bacteria to the air every hour. Image Credit: University of Florida






“Size is the master variable,” Peccia said.

Techniques for improving air quality could be of use in habitats for human explorers. Image Credit: University of Florida






The results could also be of use in space exploration. Techniques for improving air quality are useful in providing a safe environment for human explorers in enclosed habitats like the International Space Station. Additionally, understanding how humans introduce microorganisms into an environment can help us develop better techniques for sterilizing equipment for future planetary missions. When a mission like the Mars Science Laboratory is sent to a location like Mars, it is essential that there are no microbial contaminants traveling along for the ride.


The research was supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.