Microscopic and submicron components of atmospheric particulate matter during high asthma periods in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Glikson, M.; Rutherford, Shannon; Simpson, R.W.; Mitchell, Charles; Yago, Anya

doi:10.1016/1352-2310(94)00278-s

Cited by 76 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The existence of larger hyphal fragments in the ambient air has been recognized for some time (Glikson et al, 1995;Li and Kendrick, 1996), but has so far been overlooked when assessing exposures in moldy buildings. Hyphal fragments have been shown to represent 6-56% of the total fungal particle counts in field samples based on microscopic sample analysis (Li and Kendrick, 1996;Foto et al, 2005;Green et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal fragments in moldy houses: A field study in homes in New Orleans and Southern Ohio

Reponen

Seo

Grimsley

et al. 2007

Atmospheric Environment

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Smaller-sized fungal fragments (<1 μm) may contribute to mold-related health effects. Previous laboratory-based studies have shown that the number concentration of fungal fragments can be up to 500 times higher than that of fungal spores, but this has not yet been confirmed in a field study due to lack of suitable methodology. We have recently developed a field-compatible method for the sampling and analysis of airborne fungal fragments. The new methodology was utilized for characterizing fungal fragment exposures in mold-contaminated homes selected in New Orleans, Louisiana and Southern Ohio. Airborne fungal particles were separated into three distinct size fractions: (i) >2.25 μm (spores); (ii) 1.05-2.25 μm (mixture); and (iii) < 1.0 μm (submicrometersized fragments). Samples were collected in five homes in summer and winter and analyzed for (1→3)-β-D-glucan. The total (1→3)-β-D-glucan varied from 0.2 to 16.0 ng m −3 . The ratio of (1→3)-β-D-glucan mass in fragment size fraction to that in spore size fraction (F/S) varied from 0.011 to 2.163. The mass ratio was higher in winter (average = 1.017) than in summer (0.227) coinciding with a lower relative humidity in the winter. Assuming a mass-based F/S-ratio=1 and the spore size = 3 μm, the corresponding number-based F/S-ratio (fragment number/spore number) would be 10 3 and 10 6 , for the fragment sizes of 0.3 and 0.03 μm, respectively. These results indicate that the actual (field) contribution of fungal fragments to the overall exposure may be very high, even much greater than that estimated in our earlier laboratory-based studies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal fragments in moldy houses: A field study in homes in New Orleans and Southern Ohio

Reponen

Seo

Grimsley

et al. 2007

Atmospheric Environment

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“…It acts as a carrier matrix for bacteria, fungi, pollens and/or their derivatives/parts affecting their shapes, sizes, chemical and biological composition and resultant aerodynamic behavior, dispersion and deposition (Behrendt et al, 1992;Glikson et al, 1995;Knox et al, 1997;Ormstad et al, 1998;Risse et al, 2000;Monn, 2001). As evident from previous studies (e.g., Lierl and Hornung, 2003), although each pollutant has its own adverse effect, the synergistic effects of particulate matter and bioaerosols can increase the chances of allergies and pulmonary problems (Adhikari et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Airborne Microflora in the Indoor Micro-Environments of Residential Houses of Lahore, Pakistan

Sidra

Ali

Sultan

et al. 2015

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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The presence of micro-organisms in air is taken for granted, but understanding the identities, distribution and abundance of airborne micro-organisms remains in its infancy. Indoor exposure to micro-organisms has been related to range of adverse health outcomes. The indoor levels of particulate matter and bioaerosols were monitored in thirty houses across Lahore, Pakistan. Two DustTrak aerosol monitors (model 8520, TSI Inc.) were run simultaneously in the kitchens and living rooms of the selected sites to measure fine particulate matter. At the same time, agar coated petri plates were exposed face upwards for twenty minutes to sample the micro-organisms present in surrounding air of both micro-environments. A total of 7 bacterial species and 11 fungal species were identified including Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp. and Serratia spp. while the predominant fungal species were Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus spp. The concentrations (cfu m ranged between 236 and 1887 in the kitchen and from 315 to 1887 in the living room. A seasonal variation in bioaerosols was evident in the kitchens while being not so pronounced in the living rooms. A linear regression model showed a direct association of temperature with bacteria and fine particulate matter but not with fungi. Ventilation was also observed to have a significant impact upon PM levels. Out of 30 households sixteen had the presence of at least one individual with allergenic reactions. These findings highlight the enhanced risk of exposure to fine particulate matter as well as bioaerosols in the urban residential built environment in Pakistan.

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“…Although only a small percentage of the PM 10 mass, the presence of airspora may explain some of the associations found between participate matter and asthma (and other respiratory allergenic diseases). Glikson et al (1995), found associations between airspora counts and meteorological data indicating that certain fungal spores were wind advected, whereas others were generated locally. Also, the higher the minimum temperature the higher the total spore counts and rainfall on the previous 1 or 2 days was associated with increases in pollen and spore counts.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Previous pollen and spore trapping surveys in the Brisbane area have been carried out by Moss (1965Moss ( , 1967 and Rees (1964Rees ( , 1966, but until the present study, no further work has been carried out in the subtropical areas of Australia. A previous study in Brisbane (Glikson et al 1995) examined the composition of PM 10 samples (particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter-collected on high volume samplers as concentrations in micrograms per cubic metre). Airspora were found to comprise only 5-10% of the PM 10 concentrations.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of airspora in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Rutherford

Owen

Simpson

1997

Grana

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Microscopic and submicron components of atmospheric particulate matter during high asthma periods in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Cited by 76 publications

References 11 publications

Fungal fragments in moldy houses: A field study in homes in New Orleans and Southern Ohio

Fungal fragments in moldy houses: A field study in homes in New Orleans and Southern Ohio

Assessment of Airborne Microflora in the Indoor Micro-Environments of Residential Houses of Lahore, Pakistan

Survey of airspora in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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