AIR-BORNE MICROORGANISM POPULATIONS IN FOOD PACKAGING AREAS1,2

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Abstract
A slit air -sampler was used to ascertain the numbers of air-borne bacteria, yeasts and molds in dairy product packageing areas. The mean air-borne bacteria count for all food packaging areas investigated was below 6/ft3. The highest mean count for a daily sampling period was just over 10/ft3. The mean count for air-borne yeasts was 2/ft3 for all samples collected. About 17% of all counts were less than 1 yeast/5 ft . The mean airborne mold count for all samples was over 12/ft3 with nearly 10% of the counts over 20/ft3. A mean count in cottage cheese packaging was over 22 mold/ft3 while mean counts for individual sampling days revealed populations as high as 67 mold/ft3 . There were significant day to day variations in all areas and standard deviations of daily sampling periods indicated significant variations within 4-hr. test periods. Some degree of correlation between worker activity and air-borne counts was indicated by the results. However, it is evident that other factors also contribute to the air-borne population.

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