Bioaerosols in Agricultural and Outdoor Settings

Levetin, Estelle

doi:10.1002/0471263397.env184

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The low prevalence of culturable Cladosporium contrasts with the high prevalence, as determined by microscopy and PCR. Cladosporium is one of the most common fungal taxa recovered indoors and outdoors throughout the world (Chew et al 2001, 2003; IOM 2004; Levetin 1995; Su et al 2001). Cladosporium competes well with many of the other taxa that we recovered, so the reason for its decreased culturability in our samples remains elusive.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mold and Endotoxin Levels in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Pilot Project of Homes in New Orleans Undergoing Renovation

Chew

Wilson

Rabito³

et al. 2006

Environ Health Perspect

104

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BackgroundAfter Hurricane Katrina, many New Orleans homes remained flooded for weeks, promoting heavy microbial growth.ObjectivesA small demonstration project was conducted November 2005–January 2006 aiming to recommend safe remediation techniques and safe levels of worker protection, and to characterize airborne mold and endotoxin throughout cleanup.MethodsThree houses with floodwater lines between 0.3 and 2 m underwent intervention, including disposal of damaged furnishings and drywall, cleaning surfaces, drying remaining structure, and treatment with a biostatic agent. We measured indoor and outdoor bioaerosols before, during, and after intervention. Samples were analyzed for fungi [culture, spore analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] and endotoxin. In one house, real-time particle counts were also assessed, and respirator-efficiency testing was performed to establish workplace protection factors (WPF).ResultsAt baseline, culturable mold ranged from 22,000 to 515,000 colony-forming units/m3, spore counts ranged from 82,000 to 630,000 spores/m3, and endotoxin ranged from 17 to 139 endotoxin units/m3. Culture, spore analysis, and PCR indicated that Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Paecilomyces predominated. After intervention, levels of mold and endotoxin were generally lower (sometimes, orders of magnitude). The average WPF against fungal spores for elastomeric respirators was higher than for the N-95 respirators.ConclusionsDuring baseline and intervention, mold and endotoxin levels were similar to those found in agricultural environments. We strongly recommend that those entering, cleaning, and repairing flood-damaged homes wear respirators at least as protective as elastomeric respirators. Recommendations based on this demonstration will benefit those involved in the current cleanup activities and will inform efforts to respond to future disasters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mold and Endotoxin Levels in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Pilot Project of Homes in New Orleans Undergoing Renovation

Chew

Wilson

Rabito³

et al. 2006

Environ Health Perspect

104

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“…Air flow is crucial for combating mould development as it directly impacts air humidity and facilitates the movement of particles in the air and makes their settlement more difficult. This is especially the case for fungal spores that do not settle easily (Aspergillus fumigatus having an equinulated spore shape) [61]. Fungi are able to degrade different types of organic pollutants in the aerosol including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [62].…”

Section: Source Of Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of fungal isolates on heritage collections of photographic materials and their biological potency

Kosel

Ropret

2021

Journal of Cultural Heritage

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Despite controlled relative humidity in archives and private collections, fungi are a widespread cause of biodeterioration of cinematographic films and historic photographs, which represent a significant cultural and historic loss to society. Photographic emulsions and coatings are organic and hygroscopic in nature and represent a good and easily accessible source of nutrients. Because archives hold whole stacks of these materials, they subsequently contain more fungi in comparison to other enclosed spaces. This in turn generates a need for a systematic microbiological evaluation of fungi isolated from photographic documents in order to pinpoint the potentially biodeteriorative fungal species and increase awareness and control readiness when these species are encountered.With this aim, we have decided to collect data regarding fungal isolates and their biological potency from the following originating materials: gelatin cellulose triacetate or cellulose nitrate films, albumen or gelatin paper photographs, cellulose nitrate negative films, gelatin glass plate negatives and positive paper prints. In addition, the most efficient biotic degraders of gelatin binder are presented and the degradation of cellulose based supports as well as the occurring microbial interactions and the impact of inhibitory silver salts are reviewed. Lastly, based on the origins of fungal contamination and the occurrence of fungi related to allergenic and toxicogenic diseases, prevention and control measures are suggested.

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“…Airborne spores impact on leaf surfaces and may adhere due to structural or chemical features of the epidermis and the spore (Andrews and Buck, 2002). Spore release from many fungi inhabiting the phylloplane is passive through the action of wind or rain splash; however, other spores are actively propelled into the atmosphere by various mechanisms (Kinkel, 1997;Aylor, 2002;Levetin, 2002). Although this connection between phylloplane fungi and airborne fungi is widely accepted, little data are available comparing the types of fungi found on leaf surfaces with those in the atmosphere over a growing season.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contribution of leaf surface fungi to the air spora

Levetin

Dorsey

2006

Aerobiologia

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High concentrations of airborne fungal spores frequently occur from spring through fall in temperate areas of the world. Although it is generally assumed that fungi on leaf surfaces are contributors to the air spora, little data are available comparing the types of fungi found on leaf surfaces with those in the atmosphere. Air sampling was carried out with a Burkard Spore Trap located on the roof of a building on the University of Tulsa campus using standard methods. Leaf samples were aseptically collected from Ulmus americana and Quercus palustris trees on campus, placed in sterile plastic bags, and brought to the lab. For each leaf, 4 cm 2 areas of both upper and lower leaf surfaces were swabbed and plated on malt extract agar with streptomycin. Cultures were incubated at room temperature for 5-7 days and then examined microscopically. Results were expressed as colony forming units (CFU)/cm 2 . Twenty-one fungal taxa were identified from the air samples. The most abundant taxa were Cladosporium, ascospores, basidiospores, and Alternaria; together these four spore types comprised over 90% of the yearly total. Yeasts were the most abundant fungi isolated from both leaf types. Among the mycelial fungi were Phoma species, followed by Cladosporium and Alternaria. Overall twenty genera of filamentous fungi were identified. Yeasts and Phoma are normally splash dispersed and were not identified in the Burkard air samples. However, 10 taxa isolated from leaf surfaces were registered in air samples. Crude estimates of the leaf surface area of each tree suggest that the total fungal load was approximately 5.04Â10 8 CFU for Ulmus and 2.71Â10 8 CFU for Quercus. Of these levels, 19% were from fungi also detected in air samples. The data suggest that some leaf-surface fungi are major contributors to the air spora.

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Bioaerosols in Agricultural and Outdoor Settings

Abstract: Sources of Airborne Fungi Dispersal Mechanisms Transport in the Atmosphere Deposition Types of Fungal Spores in the Air Spora

Cited by 5 publications

References 53 publications

Mold and Endotoxin Levels in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Pilot Project of Homes in New Orleans Undergoing Renovation

Mold and Endotoxin Levels in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Pilot Project of Homes in New Orleans Undergoing Renovation

Overview of fungal isolates on heritage collections of photographic materials and their biological potency

Contribution of leaf surface fungi to the air spora

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