Airborne pollen and fungi indoors: Evidence from primary schools in Lithuania

Šaulienė, Ingrida; Valiulis, Arūnas; Kerienė, Ilona; Šukienė, Laura; Dovydaityte, Dovile; Prokopčiuk, Nina; Valskys, Vaidotas; Valskienė, Roberta; Damialis, Athanasios

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12668

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 52 publications

(62 reference statements)

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“…Cladosporium (66%), Alternaria (1.67%) and Leptosphaeria (1.21%) dominated in Szczecin in Poland (Bednarz & Pawłowska, 2016). Cladosporium spores were noted as a primary airborne fungal component in both indoor and outdoor environments in Netherlands (Segers et al, 2023), Lithuania (Sauliene et al, 2023) and North-East Greece (Katsimpris et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Features of the seasonal dynamics of airborne fungal spore concentrations in Ukraine

et al. 2023

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Fungi represent a distinct kingdom of ubiquitous living beings. Most other organisms are constantly in contact with elements of the fungal body. In particular, the widespread vegetation of fungi in the environment, their sporulation and the further spread of spores and mycelia by air currents make the contact of fungal particles with human respiratory organs inevitable. This can lead to the development of sensitization and allergies. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was to determine the taxonomy of airborne fungal spores, the qualitative and quantitative changes in this composition at different times of the year compared with previous sporulation seasons, as well as the prevention of allergic diseases. The study of fungal sporulation was carried out from 2011 to 2021 by volumetric method using Burkard trap of a Hirst type in a 24-hour mode (from February to November). The device was installed on the roof of the chemical building of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya. Reading of the microscopic slides obtained from air samples was carried out using light microscopes with a magnification of 400 and 1000 by the method of 12 vertical transects. It was found that spores of various taxonomic groups of fungi, namely, of Asco- and Basidiomycetes were observed throughout the growing season from March to October with the highest concentrations in mid and late summer. Thus, in June, July and August, peak concentrations of spores of the fungi Ganoderma, Coprinus, Cladosporium were observed; in July, September and October – of Ustilaginales; from July to November – of Alternaria, Epicoccum; in October – of different Basidiospores, and also Periconia, Stemphylium and Uredinales; in September – of Agrocybe. Among all studied micromycetes, concentrations of Cladosporium spores were the highest. However, significant sporulation persisted even in the autumn period, which made fungal spores a specific causative agent of airborne respiratory diseases at this time, especially against the background of low pollen concentrations. Climate change can lead to modification in the length of the fungal growing season. This information should be taken into account when predicting the symptoms of seasonal allergies in the population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Features of the seasonal dynamics of airborne fungal spore concentrations in Ukraine

et al. 2023

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“…Simple field interventions, such as ventilation schedules and/or using air purifiers, have the capacity of reducing some of the effects, however many rely on changing habits, which is challenging. 9,12,57 Furthermore, schools are the breeding grounds of respiratory viruses. The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV2 in schools has attracted a lot of attention; while the extent and relative importance of this mode of transmission is still scrutinized, there is no doubt that viral transmission either through aerosols or by hand contact is important.…”

Section: School S Are Particul Arly Imp Ortant For Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Key pollutants for human health are generated by cooking, heating and cleaning. These can vary widely between households; in contrast to outdoor air pollution that can be monitored through a relatively small number of stations and geographical or atmospheric and meteorological models or remote sensors, 11 indoor air monitoring does not apply in most environments and indoor air quality can literally be unpredictable because of a huge variety of factors that influence it 9,12 . In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by the Environmental Protection Agency of the USA have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health 13…”

Section: We Spend Most Of Our Times Indoors ‐ Indoor Air Quality (Iaq...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, it is not surprising that the highest levels of chemical pollutant exposure happen in schools located in highly polluted, low socioeconomic background areas. Simple field interventions, such as ventilation schedules and/or using air purifiers, have the capacity of reducing some of the effects, however many rely on changing habits, which is challenging 9,12,57 . Furthermore, schools are the breeding grounds of respiratory viruses.…”

Section: Schools Are Particularly Important For Childrenmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Addressing adverse synergies between chemical and biological pollutants at schools—The ‘SynAir‐G’ hypothesis

Papadopoulos,

Akdis,

Akdis

et al. 2023

Allergy

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While the number and types of indoor air pollutants is rising, much is suspected but little is known about the impact of their potentially synergistic interactions, upon human health. Gases, particulate matter, organic compounds but also allergens and viruses, fall within the ‘pollutant’ definition. Distinct populations, such as children and allergy and asthma sufferers are highly susceptible, while a low socioeconomic background is a further susceptibility factor; however, no specific guidance is available. We spend most of our time indoors; for children, the school environment is of paramount importance and potentially amenable to intervention. The interactions between some pollutant classes have been studied. However, a lot is missing with respect to understanding interactions between specific pollutants of different classes in terms of concentrations, timing and sequence, to improve targeting and upgrade standards. SynAir‐G is a European Commission‐funded project aiming to reveal and quantify synergistic interactions between different pollutants affecting health, from mechanisms to real life, focusing on the school setting. It will develop a comprehensive and responsive multipollutant monitoring system, advance environmentally friendly interventions, and disseminate the generated knowledge to relevant stakeholders in accessible and actionable formats. The aim of this article it to put forward the SynAir‐G hypothesis, and describe its background and objectives.

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“…2 Well-working ventilation is extremely important not only in the industries that use clean production, 3 but in public or residential buildings (schools, hospitals, apartments). [4][5][6][7] Microbial contamination of an indoor spaces includes hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi that thrive indoors when sufficient humidity is available. 8 Exposure is clinically associated with respiratory symptoms, allergies, asthma, and immune responses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Culturable airborne fungi communities in naturally ventilated indoor spaces of old residential buildings in Poland

Kacprzak,

Stolarska,

Lis

2023

Building Services Engineering Research and Technology

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The fungal communities inhabiting apartments in multifamily buildings ( N = 33 apartments) with natural ventilation were determined during seasonal variation in the south part of Poland (Silesia region). It was found that the average level of CO2 concentration usually not exceeded 1000 ppm. The minimal value was noted in November – 402 ppm, however the maximal concentration was equal 6156 ppm and obtained in June. The average fungal colony forming units (CFU/m3) was calculated as follows: 1.06 × 102 (February), 1.17 × 102 (June) and 2.98 × 102 (November). The most frequently occurred species/genera: yeast and yeast-like fungi, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Cladosporium cladosporioides, Rhodotorula rubra; Culvaraia lunata, Dematiaceae family, Ulocladium consortiale, Verticillium spp.; Fusarium spp., Alternaria alternata; Oidiodendron griseum. The cluster analysis showed no mutual similarity between communities of air fungi isolated from bathrooms of all studied apartments as well as between communities isolated from other indoor spaces (rooms, kitchens, halls). This suggests that natural ventilation has no (or minimal effect) on the propagation of fungal spores between apartments. Statistically significant positive correlation between the concentration of fungi in the air and external humidity, carbon dioxide levels (February, November), and external temperature (November) were found. This study provides that natural ventilation has no effect on the spread of fungal spores inside the building and are not contributed to increase of fungal airborne health risk transmission. It also shows evidence of seasonal changes in carbon dioxide in multi-family homes with natural ventilation. This may give input to establish CO2 benchmark data in such type of buildings.

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Airborne pollen and fungi indoors: Evidence from primary schools in Lithuania

Cited by 7 publications

References 52 publications

Features of the seasonal dynamics of airborne fungal spore concentrations in Ukraine

Features of the seasonal dynamics of airborne fungal spore concentrations in Ukraine

Addressing adverse synergies between chemical and biological pollutants at schools—The ‘SynAir‐G’ hypothesis

Culturable airborne fungi communities in naturally ventilated indoor spaces of old residential buildings in Poland

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