The Effects of Ventilation, Humidity, and Temperature on Bacterial Growth and Bacterial Genera Distribution

Abstract

Increased ventilation and reduced humidity significantly decreased bacterial growth at 26 °C and 34 °C. The contribution of increased ventilation to the reduction in bacterial growth exceeded that of decreased humidity. Ventilation had the greatest effect on reducing bacterial growth compared to the unventilated conditions at 70% RH. At 34 °C, medium and high levels of ventilation were required to reduce bacterial growth. High temperatures greatly increased bacterial growth, but ventilation could reduce the degree of this increase.