Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Mycological Air Pollution in a Dormitory Bathroom with High Humidity and Fungal Stains on the Ceiling a Case Study

The development of indoor molds is mainly connected to the room conditions, like air humidity, temperature or pH. The sanitary rooms, usually with elevated dampness, are a good environment for fungal growth and should be monitored for fungal concentration due to the risk of an elevated exposure to fungal allergens and mycotoxins. In the present work the diversity and the concentrations of fungal pollutants in the dormitory bathroom of Polish University was evaluated for both the ceiling and the air. The results showed that Cladosporium cladosporoides was the only species found on the dark stains on the ceiling, but in the air the variety of fungi was higher, with a total of 6 species: Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, C. cladosporioides, Fusarium poae, Penicillium chrysogenum and Rhizopus nigricans. The increased concentration of A. niger and C. cladosporoides in the air suggests further control of the air pollution in order to avoid excessive exposure to mycotoxins and allergens. Moreover, the concentration of airborne fungi inside the facility exceeded some standards of fungal air contamination stated as dangerous for human health. Our study allows for unambiguously identifying isolated fungi and develop recommendations, to prevent the present outbreak of fungi as well as in the future.

Automated summary

The development of indoor molds is connected to room conditions like air humidity, temperature, or pH. The study evaluated the diversity and concentrations of fungal pollutants in a dormitory bathroom, showing a variety of fungi in the air, with increased concentrations of A. niger and C. cladosporoides suggesting the need for further control of air pollution to avoid excessive exposure to mycotoxins and allergens. The study also found that the concentration of airborne fungi exceeded certain standards of fungal air contamination dangerous for human health.