Concentrations of viable spores of fungi and actinomycetes in ventilation channels
Lindroos, O., Lappalainen, S., Reijula, K.
2001 In "Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control", Edited by Johanning, E., Boyd Printing, Albany, New York
fungal spores, actinomycetes, accumulation, ventilation channels, significance
Lindroos, O., Lappalainen, S., Reijula, K., (2001), "Concentrations of viable spores of fungi and actinomycetes in ventilation channels", In "Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control", Edited by Johanning, E., Boyd Printing, Albany, New York.
ABSTRACT
In this work we studied if accumulation of fungal spores to the ventilation channels has any significance as microbial source in indoor air. Concentrations of viable spores were determined from samples that were collected from ventilation channels, and the geometric mean and median values were calculated. The concentrations of fungal spores and actinomycetes on ventilation channel surfaces were low even in abundantly dusty channels, and therefore accumulation of spores in the channels did not seem to form any significant microbial source in indoor air. In the samples from exhaust channels in buildings with verified mold damages, prevalence of fungal species such as Acremonium sp., Aspergillus versicolor, Chaetomium sp., Eurotium herbariorum, Paecilomyces variotii, Phoma sp., Trichoderma viride and Ulocladium sp. was better indicator for damages than the concentrations of fungal spores.
Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins, Ed. by Johanning, E. "papers presented at the September, 1998 Third International Conference in Saratoga Springs, New York. clinical and epidemiological studies and technical reports on an emerging public health topic affecting people in indoor environments at work and at home."
