Journal
INDOOR AIR
Volume 23, Issue 2, Pages 142-147Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2012.00799.x
Keywords
Fungi; Endotoxin; beta-Glucan; Particle fractions; N-Acetylhexosaminidase; Air sampling
Categories
Funding
- Healthy Homes Technical Studies Program of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development [OHLHH0199-09]
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Fungal exposure may induce respiratory symptoms. The causative agents are compounds in the fungal cell wall. Fragments of microbes may be present in air samples but are not measurable using conventional spore counting or by the determination of viable organisms. This study assesses the proportion of fungal cell biomass and endotoxin in different particle size fractions in air samples from homes. Air samples were collected from 15 homes using a cyclone sampler, collecting particles in three aerodynamic size fractions: <1.0, 1.01.8, and >1.8m. N-Acetylhexosaminidase (NAHA) was determined as a marker of fungal cell biomass. Endotoxin was determined using the Limulus amebocyte lysate method. NAHA and endotoxin in the size range <1.0m comprised up to 63% (mean 22.7%) and 96.3% (mean 22.6%) of the total concentrations, respectively. There were significant relationships between the amounts of NAHA and endotoxin in the total amount and in the size fraction >1.8m but not in the smaller fractions. The results demonstrate significant amounts of fungal cell biomass and endotoxin in particles <1.0m. Homes with reported mold damage had a lower concentration of NAHA in particles <1.0m than homes without mold damage. To assess airborne exposure for diagnostic and preventive purposes, measurement techniques that include this fraction should be considered.
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