The responses of airborne fungi to UV-B under natural conditions were investigated at the coastal station in Preila, Lithuania. Results of this investigation demonstrated that solar radiation has a marked lethal effect on outdoor airborne fungi. Sensitivity to solar radiation was the highest for the fungal propagules collected late in the evening (relative recovery 6.2%) and early morning (25.3%). The lowest sensitivity to solar radiation was observed for fungal propagules collected at midday (50.0%) and in the afternoon (53.0%). The reason for the lethal effect is thought to be elimination of the sensitive fraction of the night-time fungal populations as solar radiation gradually increases beginning at dawn. Among 356 fungus strains isolated during the investigations, 128 can be characterized as potential pathogens, and 21 strains among those most common in fungal populations belonging to plant, animal, and human pathogen groups. The collected fungal populations were exposed to solar UV-B irradiation for 2 h (from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.). Fungal communities in the air samples were composed of saprotrophs, some of which are regarded as potential phytopathogens (Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Fusarium) or as entomopathogens (Beauveria, Paecilomyces, and Metarhizium). The airborne fungal species identified after exposure to solar radiation were predominantly: Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Arthrinium phaerosporum, and dematiaceous sterile mycelium.
In the period 1995–2001 mycological investigations were conducted in the libraries situated in different buildings in the city of Vilnius. A total of 174 fungal species ascribed to 52 genera have been isolated from the premises of the libraries and identified. Mitosporic fungi (previously Fungi imperfecti) made up the vast majority of the isolated fungi. It was found out that the mycological state of the books depended largely on the condition of the building, its maintenance, location and the type of ventilation system. The main factors, which predetermined mycological pollution of the buildings and the level of contamination of the books, were installations in and overall maintenance of the premises, temperature, humidity, air movement, and the number of visitors. Age of books, materials used for producing them, extent of mechanical damage, intensity of handling and other associated factors were pertinent to the microbiological pollution and the state of the books. Allergenicity and the ability to produce, accumulate or release volatile toxic secondary metabolites into the library surroundings are characteristics of the fungi found in library premises and in books. Such factors may pose a risk to the health of staff and visitors.
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