Teixeira Goncalves, F. L., Bauer, H., Alves Cardoso, M. R., Pukinskas, S., Matos, D., Melhem, M., & Puxbaum, H. (2010). Indoor and outdoor atmospheric fungal spores in the São Paulo metropolitan area (Brazil): species and numeric concentrations. International Journal of Biometeorology, 54(4), 347–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-009-0284-6
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis; Fungal spores; Ecology; Atmospheric Science; Indoor and outdoor air in Brazil; Season variability; Sampling technique
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Abstract:
The aim of this study was to estimate the indoor
and outdoor concentrations of fungal spores in the
Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo (MASP), collected at
different sites in winter/spring and summer seasons. The
techniques adopted included cultivation (samples collected
with impactors) and microscopic enumeration (samples
collected with impingers). The overall results showed total
concentrations of fungal spores as high as 36,000 per cubic
meter, with a large proportion of non culturable spores
(around 91% of the total). Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus
sp. were the dominant species both indoors and outdoors, in
all seasons tested, occurring in more than 30% of homes at
very high concentrations of culturable airborne fungi
[colony forming units(CFU) m−3]. There was no significant
difference between indoor and outdoor concentrations. The
total fungal spore concentration found in winter was 19%
higher than that in summer. Heat and humidity were the
main factors affecting fungal growth; however, a non-linear
response to these factors was found. Thus, temperatures
below 16°C and above 25°C caused a reduction in the
concentration (CFU m−3) of airborne fungi, which fits with
MASP climatalogy. The same pattern was observed for
humidity, although not as clearly as with temperature given
the usual high relative humidity (above 70%) in the study
area. These results are relevant for public health interventions
that aim to reduce respiratory morbidity among susceptible populations.
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Research Areas:
Environmental Monitoring and Climate Adaptation: 100%