This document discusses the development of a database to manage and analyze publications on the microbial ecology of indoor environments. It describes the need for a publicly available database or information-sharing repository to extract data on environmental factors, building characteristics, occupants, samples, and microorganisms. The document provides examples of relevant databases and outlines considerations for database design, including tables, fields, and descriptors to classify the types of data that should be included.

1. Development of a Database
to Manage and Analyze Publications
on the Microbial Ecology
of Indoor Environments
Hal Levin
Building Ecology Research Group
Janet Macher
California Department of Public Health

2. What environmental factors affect the
indoor microbial ecology?
 Where is the data
 How is the information recorded
 Can the information be extracted for analysis
and comparison
 Who would contribute to a publicly available
database or an information-sharing repository

3. www.microbe.net

4. Database Design (Farr and Farr, 2004)
 Specimen database
• Document the occurrence of an organism
• In a particular place
• At a given time
• Design from the top down
• Purpose
• Subjects
• Specific data bits

5. Mendeley —
Microbiology of the Built Environment
 Bibliographic database
(545 papers, 48 members)
• Journal citations
• Abstracts
• Related research
• Searchable
• www.mendeley.com/groups/844031/microbiology-of-the-
built-environment/

6. Occupants
Building interior
Furnishings
Activities
Indoor
Building envelope
microbiome
Outdoors Ventilation

7. Database Design
 Tables
• Citation
• Building type
• Occupants
• Environmental samples
• Sample analyses
• Microorganisms

8. Database Design (Farr and Farr, 2004)
 Fields
• Describe the subject
• Comprised of the smallest logical unit
• Evolve as new pieces of information are
identified
• Consistent format and content

9. Database Design (Farr and Farr, 2004)
 Tables
• Only fields that pertain to the same subject
• Avoid fields most often blank
• Duplicate data only as necessary to
establish relationships
• Include “lookup” or “authority” tables

10. Extraction of Information
 Occupant demographics
• Number
• Gender
• Age
• Time / activity patterns
• Include animals and plants
http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp

11. Extraction of Information
(Mendeley database)
 Buildings (N = 95) • Time of year
• Type • Age
• 50 (53%) Residences • Ventilation
• 18 (8%) Offices
• Schools, commercial, • Nutrients
transportation • Water
• Location (outdoor • Temperature
environment)
• pH
www.epa.gov/iaq/iaqhouse.html

12. Extraction of Information
 Environmental samples
• Type
• 59 (62%) Air
• 27 (28%) Surface (wipe or house dust)
• Locations
• Number
• Frequency
www.epa.gov/iaq/base/

13. Extraction of Information
 Sample analysis
• Type
• 64 (67%) Culture
• 25 (26%) PCR
• How much detail needed?

14. Extraction of Information
 Microorganisms
• Identification
• General (group)
• Genus
• Species
•…
• Quantification

15. Descriptors of
Buildings, Occupants, Environments
 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE)
• 100, randomly selected office buildings
• Building and ventilation system characteristics
• Building occupant demographics, symptoms, and
perceptions
• Environmental and comfort measurements
• IAQ Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM)
• Computer software for indoor air quality in commercial
buildings

16. Program Considerations
 Data format
• Text
• Digit
 Transferability
• Import and export

17.  Data entry
• Read and highlight information
• Enter into tables
• Consistent terms
• Home, house, apartment, condo = Residence
• Check / audit
 Sorting and searching
 Ideally, electronic publications of the future will
provide data in formats that can be reformatted
for multiple uses

18. Example — Dampness and Mold
 Inspector-reported indicators  Air samples
• Visible water damage or mold • Time of year
• Musty odor • Location
• Moisture meter measurement  Fungi
• Rotting wood • Types
• Peeling paint • Concentrations
• Leaks

19. Acknowledgements
 SloanFoundation Indoor Environment
Program: grant to UC Davis for
microbenet project – www.microbe.net
 Janet Macher for advice and preparation
of the abstract and slides
 Any of you who can send references to
papers of interest, comments on our
collection on Mendeley

20. Thank you in advance for your help
Hal Levin
hlevin6@gmail.com