SHORT COMMUNICATION
Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment
of Mycological Air Pollution in a Dormitory
Bathroom with High Humidity and Fungal Stains
on the Ceiling a Case Study
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Department of Mycology and Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław,
Przybyszewskiego Street 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
Submission date: 2020-03-14
Acceptance date: 2020-07-06
Online publication date: 2020-11-26
Publication date: 2021-02-05
Corresponding author
Rafał Ogórek
Department of Mycology and Genetics, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wroclaw, Przybyszewskiego Street 63/77, 51-148, Wrocław, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(2):1955-1960
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ABSTRACT
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.