Aerial fungal spectrum of Kolkata, India, along with their allergenic impact on the public health: a quantitative and qualitative evaluation

2021

Preprint

The high airborne microbial concentration of indoor areas may be responsible for adverse indoor air quality linked with adverse respiratory and general health effects in the form of Sick building syndromes. The current study aimed to isolate and characterize seasonal (winter and spring) levels of culturable bio-aerosols from indoor air and their impact on human health by using an epidemiological health survey. After culturing, microorganisms were identified by standard macro and microbiological protocols followed by biochemical testing and molecular techniques. Sampling results show that bacterial aerosol concentration in the winter season varies from (300–3650 CFU/m) and fugal aerosols (300–4150 CFU/m3) in different microenvironments. However, in spring bacterial aerosols ranged (450–5150 CFU/m3) and fungi (350–5070 CFU/m3). Aspergillus and Cladosporium were major recorded fungi however, Staphylococcus, Streptobacillus, and Micrococcus were major bacterial genera among all the sites. Analysis of the questionnaire survey represented that headache (28%) and allergies (20%) were major indoor health problems followed by others. Major outcomes of the current study suggested that the elevated levels of bioaerosols are a major risk factor and causing various respiratory health problems. The observed dynamics of this study will help the inhabitants to take precautionary actions to avoid hazardous bioaerosols.

Section: Health Effects Of Microbial and Indoor Air Quality On Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial variation and comprehensive health risk assessment of microbial indoor air quality in microenvironments of North Delhi

2021

Preprint

“…In addition, the serum levels were elevated in children suffering from allergic reactions [41]. A similar study from Kolkata, India, also found that patients with atopic allergic history are more reactive towards fungal extracts [42]. An epidemiological study conducted in southern India, the effect of indoor air pollutants, socioeconomic, and housing characteristics on the well-being of children and women, demonstrated that these factors significantly influence respiratory health, which may increase the burden of respiratory illness [43].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The collected data was compared to earlier research [62,63] and it was found that the current study is highly relevant since inhabitants spend a lot of time indoors and experience a variety of difficulties connected to microbiological indoor air quality. [20,42,53,64,65]. There are good clinical and experimental results associated with dampness and elevated indoor mold concentrations [14].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Comprehensive health risk assessment of microbial indoor air quality in microenvironments

2022

PLoS ONE

The higher airborne microbial concentration in indoor areas might be responsible for the adverse indoor air quality, which relates well with poor respiratory and general health effects in the form of Sick building syndromes. The current study aimed to isolate and characterize the seasonal (winter and spring) levels of culturable bio-aerosols from indoor air, implicating human health by using an epidemiological health survey. Microorganisms were identified by standard macro and microbiological methods, followed by biochemical testing and molecular techniques. Sampling results revealed the bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations ranging between (300–3650 CFU/m3) and (300–4150 CFU/m3) respectively, in different microenvironments during the winter season (December-February). However, in spring (March-May), bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations were monitored, ranging between (450–5150 CFU/m3) and (350–5070 CFU/m3) respectively. Interestingly, Aspergillus and Cladosporium were the majorly recorded fungi whereas, Staphylococcus, Streptobacillus, and Micrococcus found predominant bacterial genera among all the sites. Taken together, the elevated levels of bioaerosols are the foremost risk factor that can lead to various respiratory and general health issues in additional analysis, the questionnaire survey indicated the headache (28%) and allergy (20%) were significant indoor health concerns. This type of approach will serve as a foundation for assisting residents in taking preventative measures to avoid exposure to dangerous bioaerosols.

“…A similar study suggests that the concentration of microorganisms is quite low in college as compared to laboratories and toilets as per guidelines (Sheik et al 2015 ). Fungal spore levels may vary distinctly in different seasons, indoor and outdoor as well (Dey et al 2019 ).…”

Section: Quantification Of Biological Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological contaminants in the indoor air environment and their impacts on human health

Kausar

et al. 2021

Air Qual Atmos Health

Indoor air environment contains a complex mixture of biological contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, insects, and their by-products such as endotoxins, mycotoxins, volatile organic compounds, etc. Biological contaminants have been categorized according to whether they are allergenic, infectious, capable of inducing toxic or inflammatory responses in human beings. At present, there is a lack of awareness about biological contamination in the indoor environment and their potential sources for the spreading of various infections. Therefore, this review article examines the association of biological contaminants with human health, and it will also provide in-depth knowledge of various biological contaminants present in different places such as residential areas, hospitals, offices, schools, etc. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative data of bio-contaminants in various indoor environments such as schools, hospitals, residential houses, etc. have also been derived from the recent literature survey.