Airborne Fungal Spores in Rural and Urban Environments in Alexandria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Occupational Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

2 Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

Airborne fungi are considered a potential cause of allergies and other serious diseases such as hypersensitivity, pneumonitis and asthma. In the present work airborne fungal spore counts of indoor air were compared in various residences in Alexandria. The highest total fungal spore counts were found in rural houses, followed by suburban, low class urban while the lowest counts were found in the high-class urban houses. Penicillium, Aspergillus and yeast were the most abundant fungi in Alexandria residences. Most surfaces moulded carpeted floors and wallpaper were the most important sources of these fungi. The total fungal spore counts in most Alexandria residences were much higher than the recommended levels and higher than different countries of the world. It was also found that the respirable fraction of airborne fungi was higher than the non-respirable portion inside all home categories in Alexandria.

Keywords

Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Volume 30, Issue 2
April 2000
Pages 233-243

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