Long term trends in outdoor Aspergillus/Penicillium spore concentrations in Derby, UK from 1970 to 2003 and a comparative study in 1994 and 1996 with the indoor air of two local houses
Millington, W. M. and Corden, J. M.
2005 Aerobiologia, 21(2): 105-113
Millington, W. M. and Corden, J. M., (2005), "Long term trends in outdoor Aspergillus/Penicillium spore concentrations in Derby, UK from 1970 to 2003 and a comparative study in 1994 and 1996 with the indoor air of two local houses", Aerobiologia, 21(2): 105-113.
Abstract:
Aspergillus/Penicillium spore concentrations have been monitored in Derby since 1970 using a volumetric spore trap, with full year data from 1991. In addition a short comparative study with the indoor air was undertaken at two local houses in 1994 and 1996. Aspergillus/Penicillium spores were present in the Derby air throughout the year and often reached maximum monthly cumulative concentrations in the autumn, although they were occasionally the dominant spores in the winter when total spore concentrations were low. Very high daily concentrations could occur at any time of year with a count of over 5000 recorded. Peak days in the autumn and winter of 2002-2003 were examined on a two hourly basis showing higher concentrations in the middle of the day. There was a positive correlation of cumulative monthly Aspergillus/Penicillium totals with maximum temperature. Indoor data from the two houses was examined on a daily basis and compared with simultaneously sampled outdoor daily spore concentrations. The elevated Aspergillus/Penicillium spore levels found in the older of the two houses occurred on all of the days sampled. Compared to the modern house, the Aspergillus/Penicillium spore concentrations in the old house represented a much higher percentage of the total spore count than in the modern one. The correlation between outdoor Aspergillus/Penicilliumspore concentrations and the indoor air of the old house was 0.62, whereas in the modern house it was 0.31. Peak hourly samples of Aspergillus/Penicillium spore counts occurred at times of greatest activity. ? Springer 2005.
