Health effects of indoor fungi

Portnoy, Jay M.; Kwak, Kristina; Dowling, Paul; VanOsdol, Thomas; Barnes, Charles S.

doi:10.1016/s1081-1206(10)60982-9

Cited by 80 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Similarly, the most commonly reported fungal species in indoor environments are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium (Zorman and Jeršek 2008;Bernasconi et al, 2010). Exposure to indoor fungi such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Penicillium can exacerbate symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis in susceptible individuals (Portnoy et al, 2005). For individual fungi, the threshold concentration for evoking allergic symptoms has been estimated to 100 Alternaria spores per cubic meter.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Airborne Particles in Indoor Environments: Applicability of Particle Counting for Prediction of Bioaerosol Concentrations

Mirhoseini

Nikaeen

Satoh

et al. 2016

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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Indoor bioaerosols have recently received considerable interest because of their impact on health. In this study, concentrations of bioaerosols in relation to airborne particulate matter in various indoor environments were investigated. The comparative performance of two common biosamplers, including the single-stage Andersen impactor and the all-glass impinger (AGI) for bioaerosol sampling, was also evaluated. The average levels of airborne bacteria and fungi sampled by Andersen were 516 and 176 colony forming units (CFU) m -3 and by AGI were 163 and 151 CFU m -3 , respectively. The highest bacterial levels were measured in residence apartments. The most predominant bacteria were belonged to Staphylococcus sp. and Arthrobacter sp. The Andersen impactor appeared to yield fungal concentrations that were comparable to the results obtained using the AGI biosampler. Meanwhile, Andersen impactor counts for bacteria were significantly higher than those obtained by AGI. Particle count data generated by the optical particle counter indicated that 95% of airborne particles were < 1 µm in diameter. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between particle counts of PM 1 and concentrations of culturable airborne bacteria measured with the both bioaerosol samplers.Based on these results, the Andersen impactor performed much better than the AGI for sampling airborne bioaerosols in low-contaminated indoor environments. Accurate measurement of microbial concentrations in indoor environments should be performed by bioaerosol monitoring; however, combining particle counting with bioaerosol sampling could provide prompt information about rapid variations of air quality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Airborne Particles in Indoor Environments: Applicability of Particle Counting for Prediction of Bioaerosol Concentrations

Mirhoseini

Nikaeen

Satoh

et al. 2016

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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“…Therefore, most important strategies for the reduction or the elimination of fungal growth is controlling moisture present and reducing indoor organic contaminants [77]. Mechanized ventilation, forced air-heating systems, dehumidifiers, air filters, and air conditioners reduce indoor fungal count [140]. The design, construction, and maintenance of building envelopes is crucial for the prevention of excess moisture and subsequent fungal growth [141].…”

Section: Composition Of Bioaerosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioaerosols in Indoor Environment - A Review with Special Reference to Residential and Occupational Locations

Brandl¹

2011

TOEBMJ

171

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Bioaerosols such as bacterial and fungal cells and their spores are -along with non-biological particles -part of indoor airborne particulate matter and have been related since a long time to health issues of human beings as well as flora, and fauna. To identify the different risks and to establish exposure thresholds, microbiology of air samples from a series of indoor environments must be characterized, i.e. the different microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) must be identified and quantified. This review discusses the techniques of air sampling and sample analysis. In addition, a literature study has been performed regarding the levels of these microorganisms in various indoor occupational (e.g., schools, offices, hospitals, museums) and dwelling environments. These results will provide a significant scientific basis for indoor air quality control and help in elaborating risk prevention programs for workers and dwellers. This review shall contribute to the knowledge of identification and quantification of airborne microbial constituents in various indoor environments. Combining the indoor microbial load data with data from studies focusing on health effects caused by inhalation of specific airborne microorganisms will allow the evaluation of various risks to which inhabitants are exposed. Bioaerosols in Indoor Environment -A Review with Special Reference to Residential and Occupational LocationsJyotshna Mandal and Helmut Brandl* Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, SwitzerlandAbstract: Bioaerosols such as bacterial and fungal cells and their spores are -along with non-biological particles -part of indoor airborne particulate matter and have been related since a long time to health issues of human beings as well as flora, and fauna. To identify the different risks and to establish exposure thresholds, microbiology of air samples from a series of indoor environments must be characterized, i.e. the different microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) must be identified and quantified. This review discusses the techniques of air sampling and sample analysis. In addition, a literature study has been performed regarding the levels of these microorganisms in various indoor occupational (e.g., schools, offices, hospitals, museums) and dwelling environments. These results will provide a significant scientific basis for indoor air quality control and help in elaborating risk prevention programs for workers and dwellers. This review shall contribute to the knowledge of identification and quantification of airborne microbial constituents in various indoor environments. Combining the indoor microbial load data with data from studies focusing on health effects caused by inhalation of specific airborne microorganisms will allow the evaluation of various risks to which inhabitants are exposed.

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“…Some studies have associated the proliferation of this fungus in waterdamaged buildings with adverse effects upon human health (Dearborn et al, 2002), but the clinical significance of this fungus is exceedingly controversial (Douwes and Pearce, 2003;Miller et al, 2003;Portnoy et al, 2005). The conidia of S. chartarum are relatively large (7-12μm long × 4-6μm wide) and are produced in sticky heads of multiple spores at the tips of short conidiophores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomechanics of conidial dispersal in the toxic mold Stachybotrys chartarum

Tucker

Stolze

Kennedy

et al. 2007

Fungal Genetics and Biology

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Conidial dispersal in Stachybotrys chartarum in response to low-velocity airflow was studied using a microflow apparatus. The maximum rate of spore release occurred during the first 5 min of airflow, followed by a dramatic reduction in dispersal that left more than 99% of the conidia attached to their conidiophores. Micromanipulation of undisturbed colonies showed that micronewton μN) forces were needed to dislodge spore clusters from their supporting conidiophores. Calculations show that airspeeds that normally prevail in the indoor environment disturb colonies with forces that are 1,000-fold lower, in the nanonewton (nN) range. Low-velocity airflow does not, therefore, cause sufficient disturbance to disperse a large proportion of the conidia of S. chartarum.

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Health effects of indoor fungi

Cited by 80 publications

References 50 publications

Assessment of Airborne Particles in Indoor Environments: Applicability of Particle Counting for Prediction of Bioaerosol Concentrations

Assessment of Airborne Particles in Indoor Environments: Applicability of Particle Counting for Prediction of Bioaerosol Concentrations

Bioaerosols in Indoor Environment - A Review with Special Reference to Residential and Occupational Locations

Biomechanics of conidial dispersal in the toxic mold Stachybotrys chartarum

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