BIOAEROSOLS AND THE URBAN MICROBIOME IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT ENVIRONMENTS AND HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW.

Abstract

Bioaerosols constitute an important fraction of the urban microbiome and are composed of bacteria, fungi, viruses, spores, and biological fragments suspended in the air, whose dispersal is influenced by environmental and anthropogenic factors. In public transport environments and high-traffic spaces, these microorganisms can be continuously redistributed by human movement, ventilation, and contact with shared surfaces, making these locations relevant for studies related to environmental quality and public health. This work aimed to conduct a literature review on the occurrence of bioaerosols and the dynamics of the urban microbiome in public transport environments and other high-traffic urban spaces, highlighting the main microorganisms identified, methodologies employed, and implications for human health. The research was conducted through a narrative literature review, using scientific articles, dissertations, and technical documents obtained from national and international databases. Studies published mainly between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed, without excluding classic works relevant to understanding the topic. The results demonstrated that bacteria of the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Corynebacterium, as well as fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Alternaria, are among the microorganisms most frequently found in urban environments and transportation systems. It was also observed that factors such as population density, ventilation, climatic conditions, and structural characteristics of the environments significantly influence microbial composition and concentration. It is concluded that microbiological monitoring of bioaerosols and surfaces represents an important tool for understanding urban environmental quality, contributing to the development of biosecurity strategies, environmental surveillance, and the promotion of public health.