A new study is now suggesting that there are now 7,000 species of micro organisms that can be found thriving in a single house. The species may also vary on who lives in that house which indicates that people more often than not are the main carriers of specific microbes into their homes.
This new study now reveals that different kinds of bacteria and fungi varies in every home, depending where the house is located or who lived in that home or whether there are pets or animals in that home. Usually, a regular household is home to more than 2,000 different types of fungi and an estimated average of 5,000 types of bacteria.
Researchers from the University of Colorado in Boulder have collected dust specimens from 1,200 homes across the United States. The dust samples were then analyzed where house dust apparently contains bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus that are transmitted through human skin and others such as Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium that originate from feces.
According to lead author of the study, Noah Fierer, who is also a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, it has been long known that microbes exist and live inside our homes however, this new study is now investigating how these microbes vary across space inside a house.
The team had collected and scooped some detritus coming from ledges and doorways that are common areas around the house that are often overlooked when it comes to general cleaning. Scientists then performed a genetic analysis of this dust and found a myriad of microscopic creatures.
Their findings revealed that there are distinct bacteria depending if homes consist of more females or females only or more males or males only. Women apparently have more diverse hands than men which suggests that they carry the major 150 bacteria species.
Apart from this factor, the home's location can also play an important role on the kind of fungal ecosystem that can thrive. Usually, the fungal groups seen in most homes are common molds such as Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicillium and Fusarium.
Fierer adds that most of the fungi that are observed inside houses also appear to come from outside the home as they enter via clothing, open windows or doors. Pets that are also living inside the house can also influence what kinds of bacteria that are thriving inside such as cats and dogs, that can be major factors.
Even if this particular study was only conducted in the U.S., these findings would someday be useful in other countries and climates as well, to find out how organisms living inside a home can greatly affect human health as Fierer adds that majority of these microbial creatures are more or less harmless and can even have benefits.
This study is published in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B.