We examined 12,026 fungal air samples (9,619 indoor samples and 2,407 outdoor samples) from 1,717 buildings located across the United States; these samples were collected during indoor air quality investigations performed from 1996 to 1998. For all buildings, both indoor and outdoor air samples were collected with an Andersen N6 sampler. The culturable airborne fungal concentrations in indoor air were lower than those in outdoor air. The fungal levels were highest in the fall and summer and lowest in the winter and spring. Geographically, the highest fungal levels were found in the Southwest, Far West, and Southeast. The most common culturable airborne fungi, both indoors and outdoors and in all seasons and regions, were Cladosporium, Penicillium, nonsporulating fungi, and Aspergillus. Stachybotrys chartarum was identified in the indoor air in 6% of the buildings studied and in the outdoor air of 1% of the buildings studied. This study provides industrial hygienists, allergists, and other public health practitioners with comparative information on common culturable airborne fungi in the United States. This is the largest study of airborne indoor and outdoor fungal species and concentrations conducted with a standardized protocol to date.

Profiles of Airborne Fungi in Buildings and Outdoor Environments in the United States

Background There is growing public awareness regarding the risk associated with poor indoor air quality in the home and workplace. Because Americans spend approximately 22 hours every day indoors, susceptible individuals are at much greater risk of adverse health effects from chronic low levels of exposure to indoor air pollutants over time. Along with particulate matter, gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide; microbial and chemical volatile organic compounds; passive smoke; and outdoor ambient air are the most common types of air pollutants encountered indoors. Objective To provide the allergists with necessary information that will assist them in making useful recommendations to patients seeking advice regarding indoor environmental triggers beyond traditional perennial allergens. Methods Review of the literature pertaining to indoor exposure and health effects of gaseous and particular matter. Results Indoor pollutants act as respiratory irritants, toxicants, and adjuvants or carriers of allergens. Conclusion The allergist should be prepared to evaluate patient exposure to allergic and nonallergic triggers and understand how outdoor air pollution is affecting indoor environments. This requires being familiar with methodologies for monitoring and interpreting indoor air quality and interpreting results in the context of the patients exposure history and advising patients about rational environmental control interventions.

http://www.eila.univ-paris-diderot.fr/_media/enseignement/lea/cours/rech-documentaire/gbordet2/carding_protocole_2010.pdf

The health effects of nonindustrial indoor air pollution

Damp indoor spaces and health , Damp indoor spaces and health , کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز

Damp Indoor Spaces and Health

Fungal volatile organic compounds: A review with emphasis on their biotechnological potential

Damp buildings often have a moldy smell or obvious mold growth; some molds are human pathogens. This has caused concern regarding health effects of moldy indoor environments and has resulted in many studies of moisture- and mold-damaged buildings. Recently, there have been reports of severe illness as a result of indoor mold exposure, particularly due to Stachybotrys chartarum. While many authors describe a direct relationship between fungal contamination and illness, close examination of the literature reveals a confusing picture. Here, we review the evidence regarding indoor mold exposure and mycotoxicosis, with an emphasis on S. chartarum. We also examine possible end-organ effects, including pulmonary, immunologic, neurologic, and oncologic disorders. We discuss the Cleveland infant idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage reports in detail, since they provided important impetus for concerns about Stachybotrys. Some valid concerns exist regarding the relationship between indoor mold exposure and human disease. Review of the literature reveals certain fungus-disease associations in humans, including ergotism (Claviceps species), alimentary toxic aleukia (Fusarium), and liver disease (Aspergillys). While many papers suggest a similar relationship between Stachybotrys and human disease, the studies nearly uniformly suffer from significant methodological flaws, making their findings inconclusive. As a result, we have not found well-substantiated supportive evidence of serious illness due to Stachybotrys exposure in the contemporary environment. To address issues of indoor mold-related illness, there is an urgent need for studies using objective markers of illness, relevant animal models, proper epidemiologic techniques, and examination of confounding factors.

http://dzumenvis.nic.in/microbes and plants growth/pdf/indoor mold, toxigenic fungi.pdf

Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective

The authors present an outbreak of disease associated with exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus species A courthouse and two associated office buildings had generated discomfort among employees for two years since initial occupancy Multiple interventions had been unsuccessful An initial evaluation of 14 individuals identified three with potential asthma and three with symptoms consistent with interstitial lung disease A clinical screening protocol to identify individuals who should be removed from work identified three likely and seven possible cases of building-related asthma Detailed environmental and engineering assessments of the building identified major problems in mechanical system design, building construction, and operational strategies leading to excess moisture and elevated relative humidities Moisture-damaged interior surfaces in both buildings were contaminated with S chartarum, A versicolor, and Penicillium species Aspergillus species, especially A versicolor, at concentrations of 10(1) to 10(4)/m3 dominated the indoor air under normal operating conditions Bulk samples also revealed large quantities of Stachybotrys A questionnaire survey of the three case and two control buildings documented between three- and 15-fold increases in symptoms A nested case-control study suggested emphysematous-like disease in individuals meeting questionnaire definitions for cases Replication of analysis strategies used in similar previous investigations suggested an association between worsening symptoms and decreased diffusing capacity of the lung Performance on neuropsychological measures was similar for both cases and controls, although workers with symptoms reported increased levels of current but not past psychiatric symptomatology Chemical analyses demonstrated the presence of satratoxins G and H Cytotoxic laboratory analyses demonstrated the presence of agents with biological effectiveness in bulk materials No association was seen between IgE or IgG antibodies and the presence of disease This outbreak represents a likely human response to inhaled fungal toxins in indoor environments Moisture indoors represents a public health issue currently inadequately addressed by building, health, or housing codes

David Miller

Papers

Building-associated pulmonary disease from exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor.

Mycotoxins and Building-Related Illness