Market are buzzling with microorganisms. These microorganisms participate in the activities that go on in the market. In the market, buying and selling takes place. The air of Nigerian market is filled with various unwanted substances: dust, smoke, microorganisms, droplets from cough, sneezing or sweat. The air quality of some markets in Abia State was accessed microbiologically. Samples were collected using Settle plate method. The total heterotrophic plate count ranged from 38-284 cfu/m2/hr while the fungal plate count ranged from 30-101 cfu/m2/hr. Micrococcus sp., E.coli, Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. were isolated. The microbial counts for international markets were higher than those of local markets. Also, the counts before market activities started were lower than when market activities were in process. There was no significant difference in the counts at p≤0.05. The aim of this research was to identify the microorganisms found in markets which could be of public health importance.

Keywords:
Markets, Bacteria, Fungi, Abia State, Settle plate method, Nigeria.