7
rtance to public ation between obiologia, in ICA. 1987. J-866. uiation of )I. 60,pp. 256- te suey of ethods for p. 85-89. :o, sterdam. nic Press. New mwwl. Vol. :Ile 1.. Bi . . pp. ·a. Vol. 8. pp. in. Alle. p. 135-154. ;piratorie da [ergol. osi ·5-273. FUNGI AS ALLERGENS DOOR A: A DFERENCE SPECS RANGE BEEEN T RETN SUPPLY SE OF AC TERS U. Kircheis 1 , H.G. Neumeister 1 , P. C. Kemp2, and H. Mainy1 1 Iusti rut Hygicue, Freie Universitt Berlin, ndenburgdamm 27, D-12203 Germany !Biological and Environmental Science, Murdoch Univer ity, Penh, Weste Australia ABSTCT Fw1gi on filters of HVAC syste are being increasingly sugge- sted a a causal ctor of ick buildin g syndro1n {SBS) sptoms. Direociatiou of fun is criticaJ to understanding any relationship as df erent ngi species have different allerc poteotial and produce f erent by- products. The HVAC stem of a large Berlin libr was used to analysed airboe ngi bef ore and aſter the filters using a six stage Anders sampler and three different re of agar media. er the filters both the boe f counts were reduced {by 60% ro 90%) and the range of species were signicanUy reduced several ecies absent including T richerma har=iarwm. Chsoni/ia crassa, Aureobidium pu/111/ans. The te of agar media also altered which gal species were detected. e malt extract and xerophilic (malt +40% saccharose) agar appear to be most useful r detect ing airboe n. DG 18 was o to be less effective when used e dersen sampler. The allergenic poteotial of the ngal genera differcnciated illustrates the possle role for u SBS. TRODUCTION The impoance of heating ventilation d air contiog ( AC) systems are now discussed as both a disseminator aud source of n. System components capable of have vaously been rep oned in relat ion to sick building ndrome (SBS) sp1o includg the air tration materia� cooling coils. humidification equipment, d duct work (I). e air fil1ration mateal of HVAC stems in pacular are gaining creasing cus in indoor air quality research as their purpose is to accumulate the animate (micro-orgauisms) and inanimate (dust) airboe picles e air stream. Wbeu the fters even1ually become loaded wi1h inorganic and organic components e normal course of sece life they have ost of rbe inedients required r uga coloni sati on. e potemial health effects om eosure to aboe incl ude a ide range om alJerc to toξc aud odour reactions silar to those obseed in SBS. Thus fun on filters of AC syste are being creasgly suggested to play a role in the SBS (2). It is reasonable to eculated that micro-org may e but also decay on filters. e ngi. their debris and by-products then have the potential to leave e filters d enter the supply air streanL is situation ot weU understood but is impot as it could contribute significantly to loading of metabolic or lysls products and crease the amoLwt of allergens and mycotoxins iu the indoor air. ese arc iroponant potential risk ctors r indoor air quality. However, w detailed studies on microbial coloosation on air filters been perrmed to date (3,4). This is partly due to the ct that diifereuciatioo of fun is difficult to pernu but

H.G. - aivc.org · DG 18: DG 18 = Dich1oran- 18% Gtucose-Agar (Oxoid CM 729), DG 18 is suggested to be the most useful for xerophilic fimgi. Developed by Hocking and Pitt as a medi11m

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Page 1: H.G. - aivc.org · DG 18: DG 18 = Dich1oran- 18% Gtucose-Agar (Oxoid CM 729), DG 18 is suggested to be the most useful for xerophilic fimgi. Developed by Hocking and Pitt as a medi11m

ortance to public

lation between ·obiologia, in

iICA. 1987. )J-866.

uiation of )I. 60,pp. 256-

ite survey of

ethods for p. 85-89.

:o, Amsterdam.

nic Press. New

mwwl. Vol.

:Ile 1.. Bari . . pp.

·a. Vol. 8. pp.

Clin. Allergy.

p. 135-154.

;piratorie da [ergol.

osi ·5-273.

FUNGI AS ALLERGENS IN INDOOR AIR: A DIFFERENCE lN SPECIES RANGE

BE1WEEN THE RETURN AND SUPPLY AIR SIDE OF FJVAC AIR FILTERS

U. Kircheis1, H.G. Neumeister1, P. C. Kemp2, and H. Martiny1

1Iustirut fur Hygicue, Freie Universitiit Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 27, D-12203 Germany !Biological and Environmental Science, Murdoch Univer ity, Penh, Western Australia

ABSTRACT

Fw1gi on filters of HVAC systems are being increasingly sugge-sted a a causal factor of ick building syndro1n<i {SBS) symptoms. Difforeociatiou of fungi is criticaJ to understanding any relationship as different fungi species have different allergic poteotial and produce different by­products. The HVAC system of a large Berlin library was used to analysed airborne fungi before and after the filters using a si.x stage Andersen sampler and three different rype of agar media. Afier the filters both the airborne fungi counts were reduced {by 60% ro 90%) and the range of species were signilicanUy reduced with several species absent including T richoderma har=iarwm. Chrysoni/ia crassa, Aureobasidium pu/111/ans. The type of agar media also altered which fungal species were detected. The malt extract and xerophilic (malt +40% saccharose) agar appear to be most useful for detecting airborne fungi. DG 18 was shown to be less effective when used in the Andersen sampler. The allergenic poteotial of the fungal genera differcnciated illustrates the possible role for fuugi in SBS.

INTRODUCTION

The importance of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HY AC) systems are now discussed as both a disseminator aud source of fungi. System components capable of have variously been reponed in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS) symp1oms including the air filtration materia� cooling coils. humidification equipment, and duct work (I).

The air fil1ration material of HVAC systems in particular are gaining increasing focus in indoor air quality research as their purpose is to accumulate the animate (micro-orgauisms) and inanimate (dust) airborne particles in the air stream. Wbeu the filters even1ually become loaded wi1h inorganic and organic components in the normal course of service life they have roost of rbe ingredients required for fuuga.l colonisation. The potemial health effects from exposure to airborne fungi include a ""ide range from alJergic to toxic aud odour reactions similar to those observed in SBS. Thus fungi on filters of HY AC systems are being increasingly suggested to play a role in the SBS (2).

It is reasonable to speculated that micro-organisms may survive but also decay on filters. The fungi. their debris and by-products then have the potential to leave the filters and enter the supply air streanL This situation is .not weU understood but is important as it could contribute significantly to loading of metabolic or lysls products and increase the amoLwt of allergens and mycotoxins iu the indoor air. These arc iroponant potential risk factors for indoor air quality. However, few detailed studies on microbial coloo.isation on air filters been performed to date (3,4). This is partly due to the fact that diifereuciatioo of fungi is difficult to perfonu but

Page 2: H.G. - aivc.org · DG 18: DG 18 = Dich1oran- 18% Gtucose-Agar (Oxoid CM 729), DG 18 is suggested to be the most useful for xerophilic fimgi. Developed by Hocking and Pitt as a medi11m

,-,;--......,--......,�--- --o--L ,;--T"""(<-<---•�-�. --==-- ._-,-;.,��,,.._��_...,._,--....r�.=.::----..- ""•--'=' .--� Ta.� .... �----- --=.-.. --=--�.._;-.-;;--�-"'-""-;i,.-., -.. =-,.-... .. ---- .,.,

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critical to understnnding any relationship to SBS as various species have different allergic potential and generate different by-products.

A study was designed to detect the presence of viable fungi in the air before and after the filtration material in the HV AC system in a large library building. The methods chosen would need to perform several functions. First, it is necessary to show differences before and after the filters by the number of colony forming units present, and in the range of species present. And second, it remains necessary to determine which agar media is most llSeful for detecting a wide range in airborne fungi as there are no accepted guidelines or standards available for reference. TI1is la!.1 point is critical to compare rc.sults between other srudies as aU agar t 'J)eS are currently used in research a11d industry are selective to some degree in which fimgi they detect. The aim of this study was 10 determine which fungi can pass thro ugh the filters of the HY AC system and thereby have the potential to affect human health.

METHODS

Measurements location The prefiltering device before the main filters a large HV AC system was chosen for the field experiments. The HV AC system seJ"\>iced a large public bl>rary building in the centre of Berlin. The surrounding area was undergoing major reconstruction with substantial earthworks in progress during the eiqJerirnent period. The air intake for the HV AC system was on the roof­top (adjacent to the prefilter equip1nen1) and approximately 50 meters above ground le\iel. The normal outdoor air intake was 120,000 cubic meters per hour (m'lhr). Only outdoor air was passed th.rough the prefiltering device in normal operation and no ot11er HVAC equipment was before the filters including no pre heating de\ice. A second .,ma.in ' filtering device (which does not concern this experiment) was directly after the pre.filter wl1ich filtered the return air and the pre.filtered outdoor air. The normal prefiltering material used in the HV AC sys! em was a fibreglass type EU 7. The satnples were t-aken directly before and after the filters at a level from 60 cm high.

Analysis Of Airborne Fungi A six stage Andersen sampler was chosen for the e>..-periment because of the relationship between its construction to the human ainvay tract from the upper mucous lined airways down to the alveoli in the lungs. Meteorological measurements were also performed during the fungi sampling perio d. Air samples were taken once a month for half a yea.r u ing the Andersen sampler iulpacting air onto agar filled petri-dishes. Three different types of agar media were tested in the sampler. Each measurement period was 10 minutes loug at 28.3 litres per minu1e air flow rate and was also performed in triplicate ( 18 plate per medjwn per ample location) using three samplers in parallel. ll1e plates were ther1 incubated and the colony forming units (cfu) were counted and their genera and species differen1ia1ed.

Agar Media The choice of medium was important for this experiment as no single media is able to show the entire spectrum of fungi. For this purpose, the three media were chosen for their different characteristics which were Malt extract, Malt extract with 40% saccharose, and DG 18. The two malt agars had the antibiotic spreptomycin/penicillin added. and the DG 18 agar had chloramphenicol added to limit bacterial. growth. A brief description and recipe of each media is given below:

444

Malt extract: moS1 fast growing are ab rendered more diffi Malt e:-..tract (Mere 15 min at I bar, pI U Penicillin G (Pi (Streptomycin-sulp after sterilisation.

DG 18: DG 18 =1 the most useful fo1 water activity for colonies, so that co gll Potassium hydrc 0.2, 15.75 gin 500 Chloramphenicol-S· to 50° C and, well r

Malt extract with 40% saccharose. Tl molecules and cann agar. Recipe: Malt this, 40 % Saccharc

Incubation All cultures were i controlled room (n1 were recorded. Cfu samples. Reference separately for filam1

Differentiation of l Parallel to the quan Colonies that not c incubated for 6 day! were not identified Some fungi are ab Geotrichum candid:

RESULTS

Genera Differencii Table l shows the f A total of28 genera media. 24 fungal sp1

Differences In Aga Varying numbers ol before the filters th•

Page 3: H.G. - aivc.org · DG 18: DG 18 = Dich1oran- 18% Gtucose-Agar (Oxoid CM 729), DG 18 is suggested to be the most useful for xerophilic fimgi. Developed by Hocking and Pitt as a medi11m

ve different allergic

before and after the thods chosen would before and after the

species present. And for detecting a wide

ailable for reference. ; all agar types are ch fungi they detect. filters of the HY AC

chosen for the field the centre of Berlin. antial earthworks in em was on the roof­ve ground level. The tnly outdoor air was V AC equipment was � device (which does he return air and the V AC system was a the filters at a level

: of the relationship ; lined airways down ned during the fungi using the Andersen of agar media were

8.3 litres per minute per sample location) ;olony forming units

a is able to show the :n for their different "Se, and DG 18. The ie DG 18 agar had recipe of each media

Malt extract: most often used, rich in nutrients a wide range offuug:i can grow on it, but also fast growing are able to overgrow the hole plate in a very sbort time. so that diffcreociation is rendered more difficult xerophilic fungi like Wal/emio sebl can t grow on mall Recipe: JO g Malt extract (Merck 5391). 18 g Agar, acid 1000 ml distilL1red water, autoclave at 12!°C for 15 min at l bar, pH at 5.0-5.5. Antibiotic-addition: Pen.icil.li.11/Streprnmyci.o. mixture= 10.000 U Penicillin G (Penicillin G pota sium, Merck 6993) I ml and 10.000 µg Streptomycin (Streptomycin-sulphate, Merck 101I7) I ml, sterile filtered and 16 wl I 1000 ml added to Agar after sterilisatiou.

DG 18: DG 18 = Dich1oran- 18% Gtucose-Agar (Oxoid CM 729), DG 18 is suggested to be the most useful for xerophilic fimgi. Developed by Hocking and Pitt as a medi11m with low water activiry for the ele tiou of xerophilic fungi. Dicltlomn restricts the growth of the colonies, so that cow1ting and isolation is more easily. Recipe:: 5 ell Pepto11 10 g/l Glucose, t gf1 Potassium hydrogenphosphate, 0,002 gf1 Mag:rJesi11ro sulphate. 15 g/1 Agar, pH-value 5.6 ± 0.2, 15.75 g iu 500 ml di-tillaced water, dissolved with beat, I .JO g Glycerol at, one Ampouk CWorarnpbeu.icol-Suppleruent SR 78 added autoclaved at 121° C at l bar fiir 15 min, cooled to 50° C and, well mixed aud poured into Sterile Petri dish .

Malt extract with 40% saccharose: Another special mediwn for xerophilic fungi i malt with 40% sacch.arose. The high percentage ofsaccharose has the effect that water is bow1dcd on the mqlecules and cannot used by the fungus. Many mesophilien fungi are not able to grow on this agar. Reci� Malt e>..1ract Agar plus 40 % Saccbaro e: see recipe above fiir Malt extract, after this. 40 % Saccharose in l 000 ml distillated water, add to the autoclaved Agar.

Incubation All cultures were incubated for 5 days at 20 ± 2 °C and 60 % RH in a darkened climate co1.nrolled room (no light incident). For the quantitative evalumion. colony fonuiog units (cfu) were reco:rded. Cfu res .t.lts are given in colony fonniug units per cubic rueler (cfu/m3) for air samples. Reference lilerature used for ditferentation (5, 6. 7. 8). The cfu \. ere calculated separately for filamecous and yeast like fungi by there morphologic \.ie� oo the plate .

Differentiation of Fungi Parallel to the quanticative evaluation of CFUs sa mple were used for differentiating the fungi. Coloo.ies that not could be identified were reinoculated on to different agar media and again incubated for 6 days at 20 ± 2° C. Fungi were differentiated using lig.ht microscopy. lbe yea$l:S were not identified to genera and all yeast like growing fungi were included in this group:

ome fungi are able to gro as well like a mould as a yeast (A ureoba.sidl111n pullulans, Geotriclwm candidum). These fungi were counted to the moulds.

RESULTS

Genera Differenciation Table l shows the fungal species on the three different agar media before and after the filters. A total of28 genera of moulds and the artificial group of yeasts were detected on all three agar media. 24 fungal species were differenciated.

Differences In Agar Media Varying numbers of genus and species were detected on the three different media. In the air before the filters there were 26 species detected on Malt agar, 12 species on DG 18, and 13

Page 4: H.G. - aivc.org · DG 18: DG 18 = Dich1oran- 18% Gtucose-Agar (Oxoid CM 729), DG 18 is suggested to be the most useful for xerophilic fimgi. Developed by Hocking and Pitt as a medi11m

Table l Fungi species on three different a1rnr media before and after the filters. Genus And Species Before The Filter After The Filler

Malt i DG18 I Malt 40 Malt i DG18 ; Malt 40 Acrodo11tium crateriforme 0 0 j l 0

... ................. ............................. _ . . .. . ..... -...... ........ �-- ...... .. .. ,,. ......... ,;., ..................... i.,.................... .. .......... -.. --!· --· .. ·-·'--·-·----.4/temaria a/temata 0 f 0 ] 0 0 j 0 i 0 "A;'P;';:;ii11;;;-s-pp ... -·······--·---······· ···· ........ 'D ...... , .. 1 ........ 0 ........ r ..... o .. ···- - .... a·--.. r .. ·-·-er··· .. ·r···-.. er· .. -· :4;'P�;;:;1i";;s··�;�dTJ-;;;·-···-·---· ·-····-··· ·· ·--···· .......................

; ................... ... r··-.. --··--· -··-·cr .. -r··-·-.... ·--1 -··--·····-···

:4;-;;�;gi1i";;;7�;,;i�r;;;······--- ·····----· · - ······· ......... a·-··-·;····- ··· ···---·· .. t·· .... -- ·-··a··-.. ·-r·-··--····-·--t···�-a-··· .. A;j,-;���-1::.�i��� :=:::::��::::::�=:::::�:�:�::: ::=�::::�: : ·�:::J?.:::::::r:::�g�� :::� J::=9:�=::· ��:=:=:1::.�=:::::�]:::=::::::��=:: Aspergillus ochraceus 0 ; i ! i

._., ....... .. �·····-··········-·················-··· ...................... ----··· ....... -........... .!� .. ·- · ·· ··-· ··-··.: .. ..... _. __ ,......... .. ._. ............... _,:, ........................ .:. .... _ ....... ., ... _ ,

Aureobasidium pullulans 0 i i 0 I ! 0 ''''''"''''""'"'1''"'-"''"�''''''''H"O...._.,,, __ , .. ,.,_.._,,,,, ___ MOOO ·-•• "· · ··- ·•••• • ••••!•• -• •• • .. -•••-••• • • ..:• ••• ••• •••••••••-••••• '"'""""'''"'"'""J .... _.,,,, __ , ..... :

.• , ...... _,,,,,,,,,_,

Botrylis cinerea 0 i 0 ! 0 0 i 0 !

������;�:: :�;;���;j�j;:;�:: ���=�::::�:::. �==:��:�::r:::::::�::::::::r :::::::::::::::::: :::::�:g:::::1::·:·:�:�·

·��:==�g·:�� ��-������������������== :::�:�:=:�::::::: :�:�::: . :�==?�:::=:r::::��:::: ::1::: : ::::�=::=· ::=::�:�·

:1�=��:��r:=·-��·

··-

C/ado,tporium macrocarpum 0 ! 0 ! O j i . .... _

������;��i:�-�J�� ���f��f��:�; Fusarium spp. 0 ! ! 0 j f

,,_,.,,,.,...,,,.,.,.,.,,,_,,.,.,_,,._,,_,., ... -,,.... -... .,.. •• ,,.,._,,.,.,.,,, ... ,,,,,, ""'''•••••l••••••••·-i••••-••••,-,.-••••••••J., ... � , -•••••oo•- · -·-�·-·••••••"'I'"''""''''" i. 0 'l"''''''''"''

Fusarium cerea/is 0 ; l ! .......... ( .... . .

........... -.. �""""'''"""_ .... __ , ___ ., ................................................... i·· .. ·-·--··-···+· .. --···· .. --- "'--·-··· .. --- · ····· .. -···· ········ i .. ··· . . ·•00"'""""' Geotrichum candidum 0 ! ; 0 l i

_ ......... ....... , .. _,,,H00 ......... _.-� .. -•0•__. ....... _ ..... ,_,H_••oOOO 00o .. 0••••o•o••••O" .. 'l'''''••"''''"'""''''l•·-.........-�--· ···--·'"''" ·•-•f••-••OO•••�O•• .. •••••i--• .......... , ........... . Paecilomyces variotii i i i [ O ?.:�'.�'.��!.��:�!£::=�:��=��::::::�=::=�:�::::::::·

::�:�:��:::::�J:�::=::!::.=�L::�!�== =�=.?.-�]::=::=?.�=::]=::::��::�:::� Peni il/ium c/011ifom1e 0 i i l i •�•o+H_...ti--Hot•-•-"•••••o .. o"''_'_'''''''""''""'n�•••••••••••••••• •••-•M .. +-•�'"'" " ' ' f.... ,,, .. .....,,.,,.,..,-i.-,--,,,.,_,,_�••• _,,..__,,.._,_,: ••->-o-...o .. _,;., , ... ., ... , ,.,, __ ,.

Penici/lium isariiforme 0 l ! 0 , i .. _ .. _., _ _ ................ ,_,, _______ , ........................................................ i ... ,.,_ ............. , ....................... .............. , _ .... : . . ..................... : . ... ........... ...... . .

Phoma glomerata 0 I i 0 i j ......... -••. -........ -... ............................... .... .......................................... -.. ; ...• ...._. ............ . , .............. __ .... · - -........ -...... 1 .......... .... --•.... ;. .... ..__ ..... _ .. ,. Rhinocladie//a spec. 0 j I. � \ ��!i..i?..0::�i.!i.�!?..�:::::::::�:�::::::::::�::::::::::�:�:::=�: :::=9.=��:r==�:::=r::::����= :=:: ::��::=x::::: ::::::�:::::::c::: :=:: :::: ::::� Trichoderma harzianum 0 j l f l

............. _ . ............................................ ....................... -... -.... .... _, •• ,,, __ , .... 1 •• -.................. J,,_,. ................. � ................. .-. l . . ......... -......... � •• ·---·· Wa/lemia sebi f ! 0 ! 0 ! 0

.... --.. -........ ... .............. -................ _ .................. -•• -....................... _ ........ f .......................... f • • -.................. ........... ... ........ ( .. ..... , ... _ .... ,_.� .. ......... .... . .... . .

J"east spp. • l • j 0 0 i 0 i 0 . . :

Legend: •=more than 50 cfu/m3, 0 =less than 50 cfu/mJ.

species on Malt 40%. However, behind the filters only 16 species were detected on malt, 9 species on DG 18, but 13 species were still detected on the malt +40%.

Colonies of special genus and species only occurred on certain media. On the malt agar, the species Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergil/11s candidus, Fusarium spp., Fusarium cerealis, Geotrichum candidum, Penicillium c/aviforme, Penicillium isariifonne, Phoma glomerata, Rhinocladiella spec., and Trichoderma harzianum occwred where they were not detected on DG18 or Malt +40%. Similarly on DGJ8 and malt +40%, the species Eurotium spec. and Wal/emia sebi occurred where they were not detected on the malt agar.

Before The Filter Results Certain genus and species were only detected in the air before the filter. These include the species Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Chrysoni/ia crassa, Eurotium spec.,

446

Fusarium cerealis, Rhi=opus stolonifer,

After The Filter R1 all species behind ti were detected. Ho� air after the filters.

Fungi Genera Pre"S Of all the fungi diffi were the group of y spp ..

In the arr before c/adosporioides, Pe species were only d filters only Cladosp• in high amounts. All

The efficiency of concentrations of fu filters were observe, fungi were detected counts reduced by o

DISCUSSION

Probably the most species detected wh kept in mind that th airborne fungi that e

Most of the species of fungi detected be also illustrates the n on which species of of dispersed spores (

While fungi with a appears to relatively some species only a mostly those ��th Fusarium spp. whe produces micro coni

Several improveme1 species. One impro1 certain fungi to spo during incubation in sporulate.

Page 5: H.G. - aivc.org · DG 18: DG 18 = Dich1oran- 18% Gtucose-Agar (Oxoid CM 729), DG 18 is suggested to be the most useful for xerophilic fimgi. Developed by Hocking and Pitt as a medi11m

tb.c fil tcrs. After The Filter

l DG18 ! Malt 40 . . 0

����J��� , i D .... 1 .. ···· · ··· · ·- -.

. -r ........

....... -··-·

······:·-··

···-·

····-···.:..·-····

·····-·

· .

..

=� � =r =�--r-·· .. cr·-·

·· ·1 ·-·-· a ··· -

·

·

·t - ··· · · · a .. -

·

--1 .. ·-·-cr···

..

.

··-i··--······

·

·-···.,...·

f.····- ···--····· .. , ·

�- ....... ........... � ..................... . i l 0 .... r-•O .. O>OOOOo

..

....

.. 1

·

--

·

••••••HO•OOO

�:r::::::��:��:::r��:::�::::::::::.· : �

t=���f��� : :

r��== ·}·

·

··· .. ·-···-·--··r·

.. -··-······

··

· ·· : I

�r�=�-�=���1��::��-·==���� t-··-

·&

..

..........

.. L ...

.

..... _ ............

. i 0 l 0 :' ..

.

__ .. tr· .... T ...

.... ti" ...... ..

etected on malt, 9

the malt agar, the 'usarium cerealis, 0homa glomerata, re not detected on '.trotium spec. and

These include the Eurotium spec. ,

Fusarium cerealis, Peniciltium claviforme, Rhinocladiella spec., Trichoderma harzianum, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Aspergi/lus ochraceus.

After The Filter Results all species behind the filters were present in the air before the filters. That is, no new species were detected. However, the fungi counts and range in genera were significantly altered in the air after the filters.

Fungi Genera Present Of all the fungi differenciated, only a few genera and one species are strongly represent which were the group of yeasts, Cladosporium spp., Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Penici/lium spp ..

In the air before the filters, a high amount of Cladosporium spp,. C/adosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium spp., and yeasts spp. were detected on all three media. All other species were only detected in low amounts on all three media. However, in the air after the filters only Cladosporium herbarum on malt, and Cladosporium spp. on DG 18 were detected in high amounts. All other species were only detected in low amounts.

The efficiency of the filters in reducing fungi appeared to be related to the outdoor concentrations of fungi. At times when high cfu counts were detected in the outdoor air, the filters were observed to reduce fungi by approximately 90%. However, when low amounts of fungi were detected in the outdoor air, the filters appeared to be much less efficient with fungi counts reduced by only 60%.

DISCUSSION

Probably the most important finding in the experiment was the e>..1ension of the range of species detected when using the combination of the three agar media. However, it should be kept in mind that this extended range still only reveals a small window on the wide range of airborne fungi that exist.

Most of the species detected occurred at relatively low counts. However, the allergic potential of fungi detected behind the filters can have a significant impact on human health. This point also illustrates the need for correct differenciation of fungi as their allergic potential depends on which species of a genera are present (for example Aspergillus fumigatus) and on the mass of dispersed spores (for example Cladosporium spp.).

While fungi with allergenic potential were detected behind the filters, the filtration media appears to relatively efficient at arresting fungi particles. This is illustrated in the results where some species only appear in the air before the filters. The species absent behind the filters are mostly those with large spores. An example are the large spores of Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. where Fusarium genus more commonly produces macro conidia and rarely produces micro conidia.

Several improvements to the incubation methods would make it possible to identify more species. One improvement would be to use Ultra Violet light during incubation to stimulate certain fungi to sporu.late. Another improvement would be to use several other temperatures during incubation including 27 °C and 37 °C to make species such as Aspergillus famigatus sporu.late.

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Overall, the DG 18 agar appears less usable for airborne fungi measurements in an Andersen sampler as only 12 species were detected on this media leaving 16 species absent. No ex-planation for this difference is obvious from the methods or the results. To obtain the best results from Andersen sampler, it appears necessary to use a combination of two agar media such as the malt extract agar and a xerophilic agar (for example the malt +40%) used in this ex-periment. This combination would allow the greatest range in fungal species to be detected.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that air filtration media in HV AC systems can reduce airborne fungal counts by 60% to 90%. The efficiency of fungi reduction appears related to the concentration of fungi. That is, greater efficiency of filtration occurs at higher concentrations. The filtration material was also effective in reducing the range of fungi species. Several species were absent in the air behind the filters including Trichoderma hnr=ianum, Chrysonilia crassa, Aureobasidium pullulans.

The type of agar media used in the Andersen sampler significantly altered the range in fungal species detected. The malt extract and xerophilic (malt +40% saccharose) agars appear to be most useful for detecting airborne fungi. DG I 8 was shown to be less effective to detect airborne fungi when used in the Andersen sampler. It appears necessary to use a combination of a malt extract agar and a xerophilic agar to detected the greatest range in airborne fungi.

The allergenic potential of the fungal genera differenciated illustrates the possible role for fungi in SBS.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to A Nickelmann, B. Milller, and M. Hesse for there help in laboratory work.

REFERENCES

l . Neumeister, H G., M. Moritz, H. Schleibinger and H. Martiny 1996. Investigations on Allergic Potential Induced by Fungi on Air Filters of HV AC Systems. Proceedings of Indoor Air'96. Vol 3,125-130, Nagoya, Japan

2. Kemp, S.J.; Kuehn, T.H.; PUI, D.Y.H.; Vesley, D.; StreifeL A.J. 1995a. Filter collection efficiency and growth of micro-organisms on filter loaded ·with outdoor air. ASHRAE RP-625 (3853), Chicago.

3. Pejtersen, J. I 996. Sensory Pollution and Microbial Contamination of Ventilation Filters. Indoor Air. Vol 6, pp 239-248.

4. Neumeister, H.G., P.C. Kemp, U. Kircheis, HW. Schleibinger and H. Ruden 1997. Fungal Growth On Air Filtration Media In Heating Ventilation And Air Conditioning Systems. Proceedings of Healthy Buildings I Indoor Air Quality'97, Washington DC, USA

5. Domsch, K.H.,Gams, W.1993 reprint. Compendium of soil fungi Vol 1+2, IHW-Verlag 6. Anderson, T.-H., Ellis, M.B 1993 reprint. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CAB International 7. CBS 1972. Studies in Mycology. CBS, Baam, Niederlande 8. Samson, R.A., Hoekstra, E.S.,Frisvad, J.C. and Filtenborg, 0. 1995. Introduction to

foodbome fungi. 4.ed., CBS, Baarn, Niederlande

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INDOOR FOUl HEAL TH RISI<

R Rinta-Mantyl, L

l The Helsinkl Tele 2 The Finnish Instit;

3 The FIOH Indoor

ABSTRACT

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INTRODUCTION

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jia Boschi

ized in any form or by any mation storage and retrieval

Healthy Buildings/IAQ '97 Global Issues and Regional Solutions

Conference Venue:

Natcher Conference Center at National Institutes of Health

Bethesda MD September 27 - October 2, 1997

Proceedings: Volume 3

RESIDENCES

editors:

James E. Woods Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

David T. Grimsrud University of Minnesota

Nadia Boschi Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

iii