A survey of airborne fungal spores of indoor environment was made from September 2001 to March 2002. In all 20 species of fungi were recorded. Aspergi//11swas the most predominant genus detected followed by C/adosporittn1, Alternaria and Penici/li11m spores

Amiya Akram (7221791)

M.M. Ashhar (7221794)

Yasmeen (7221788)

English

Loughborough University Institutional Repository

28th WEDC Conference Kolkata (Calcutta), India, 2002 SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL SANJTATION AND WATER SERVICES Fungi : An Indoor Air Contaminant Yasmeen, Ami-:ga AA.ram, M. M. Asbba71 Inoia Abstract: A survey of airborne fungal spores of indoor environment was made from September 2001 to March 2002. In all 20 species of fungi were recorded. Aspergi//11swas the most predominant genus detected followed by C/adosporittn1, Alternaria and Penici/li11m spores. Introduction : When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or in building materials, fungal growth occurs which may result in adverse health problems in occupants like allergies or respiratory problems 1 . Fungi reproduce by giving off huge number of spores into the air. When these spores are inhaled, they may trigger an allergic reaction2 . · Allergies can lead to asthma, especially in children, causing permanent lung damage. Although studies on aerial biopollution of Aligarh have been carried out3, very less emphasis has been given on the study of airspora as indoor air contaminant. In view of this fact, the study of airspora of the indoor environment of selected locations of Aligarh city was carried out and the presence of fungal species was correlated with the health problems that they may cause. Materials and Method : Samples were collected from 30 households, which were categorized into three socioeconomic groups that are high, middle and low-income groups according to their financial status and standard of living. The health status of residents was analaysed based on a questionnaire and the health problems associated to various fungal species ,vere reported. The study was carried out from the month of September to March. The fungal spores were trapped from the sampling stations by exposing petriplates containing Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium to the indoor environment for a period of 5 minutes and at a height of 1.5 m above the ground level4 • The plates were then incubated at a temperature of 30°C for 7 days. After this period fungal colonies were observed and identified5 . Results and Piscussion : Variation of fungal species and health problems were reported earlier6 . In the present study sampling stations were selected and categorized as Low Income Group (LIG), Middle Income Group (MIG) and High Income Group (HIG). The various fungal species were identified and health problems attributed to these species are reported in Table - 1. In all, 20 species of fungi were obtained from the indoor environment. Apart from this white andyello1v sterile myceli11m were also observed. Low Income Group (LIG) : A total number of 14 species of fungi were recorded in the indoor environment of this socio-economic group. The frequency of many allergy-causing fungi was very high�) Along with other species, A fu111igat11s was a species that was isolated only from this income group. A jt1migatm acts as a potent allergen and can cause localized infection of lungs7 . The health problems in this income group were found to be highest. Middle Income Group (MIG) : A total number of 12 species of fungi were isolated from the indoor environment of this income group with 100% frequency of fungi like Aspergil/1u niger and Cladospori11m cladosporioides. About 50% and above residents of this income group suffered from health problems like no perception of smell, sneezing, sore throat and cough which are fungal allergy symptoms. High Income Group (HIG) : A total number of 17 species of fungi were found in this income group, which is maximum among all the three groups. This may be due to conducive environment for the proliferation of fungi found to be present in this income group. Large number of fungal species may be attributed to the presence of materials like carpet, air-conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine etc. Although the number of fungi found was more, but the % frequency of many allergy-causing fungi was below 50%, which explains that the residents of this mcome group suffered less from fungal allergic symptoins. YASMEEN et aL TABLE - 1 : Health problems associated with various fungal species found in various income groups. Fungal Species Health Problems LIG MIG HIG Aspergillus flavus Allergies, aspergillosis of the lungs, corneal, otomycotic, and nasoorbital infections. + + + Aspergillus fumigatus Invasive and allergic aspergillosis + -Aspergill11s t11c11ensis - + + + Aspergillus ochrace11s Produces kindney and liver toxins + + + Aspergillus sydowi This species is onlr occasionally pathogenic + + + Aspergillus 11iger Skin, pulmonary infections and ear infections + + + Aspergillus terreus Associated with aspergillosis of the lungs. Also causes ear infection and infection of finger or toenails and produce toxins. + -Alternaria altenzata Alternaria species is associated with hypersensiti\Tity pneutnonitis. extrinsic asth1na. produces toxic metabolites + + + Alternaria longipes + Cladosporium Cladosporiu111 sp. is a comn1on allergen, it can cause mycosis, �xtrinsic asthma. + + + cladosporioides Curvularia lzmata Curvularia sp. is allerg:cnic, may also cause corneal infections, mycecoma, and infection + +· + Dresch/era sp. Occasionally causes corneal infection of the eye + Fusarium sp. Can produce hemorrhagic syndrome in humans. Frequently involved in eye, skin, and nail infections. + + + Mo11ilia sp. Infrequently involved in corneal eye infections. Reported to be allergenic. - + + Mucor sp. J\fay cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. The sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus passasgcs, brain, eyes, and skin. - + Nigrospora sp. Reported to be allergenic. + Pullvularia p11ll11lans . + + Penicillium 1zotatum Penicillium sp. may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals and extrinsic asthma. + + + Rhizop11s 11egrica11s. Rhizopus sp. may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. The sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus passages, brain, eyes, and skin. + - + Trichothecium roseum. Produces trichothecence toxin. + "+" Indicates presence of a particular species in a particular income group. Indicates absence of a particular species in a particular income group. Conclusion The presence of these fungal species in indoor environment may be attributed to water vapour produced during combustion resulting in moist and damp conditions favourable for fungal growth. Seven species of Aspergillus were found in the indoor environment, which is of concern as some of them may cause infections, allergies as well as mycotoxicity. Although the number of species found in LIG was less than in HIG, but % frequency of allergy causing fungi was very high. Moreover, the symptoms of mould allergies - sneezing, cough, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, skin rashes and rhinitis - were found to be maximum among the LIG residents. Presence of such a large number of fungal species can pose serious threat to the health of building occupants apart from damaging the building materials. Therefore these should be regarded as Indoor Air Contaminant and seriously dealt with. Reference I. SANDRA., A. Z. and MARY B. G. 1993. Mold, dustmites,fungi, spores and pollen : Bioaerosols in humanenvironment, North CC1roli11C1 Cooperative Extension Servit'e, NC State University, Collet,e of Ax,ricu/ture and Lift S,-ietms. 2. AGARWAL, l\L K. and SH IVPURI, D. N., 1974. fungalSpores, Their role in respiratory allergy. Advance Pollen Research, 1:78 - 128.3. YASMEEN and SAXENA, S. K., 1996. AerialBiopollution of Aligarh, Journal of Pa!JnolopJ', 32:123-127.4. YASMEEN, 1998. Record of airspora of warehouseenvironment. Viisundhara, 3:27-29.5. GILMAN, J.C., 1998. Manual of Soil Fungi. Biotuh Books Puhlimtion. 6. ANONYl\fOUS, 2001 . Indoor Fu ngi Resources.Depart1m11t of Enviro11mental Health and Safe!)', University of A1i1111esota.7. KOTHARI, S. and KOTHARI, A. K., 1999. Aeroallergemand bronchial asthma. Journal of Indian Botanical Societ)', 78:287-301.Yasmeen, Scientist, Department of Botany, A.M.U., Aligarh - 202002. Amiya Akram, G raduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering, A.M.U., Aligarh-202002. M. M. Ashhar, Profes sor, EnvironmentalEngineering, Department of Civil Engineering,A.M.U., Aligarh-202002

Fungi: an indoor air contaminant

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Fungi: an indoor air contaminant

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