Indoor and Outdoor Air Fungus Bioaerosols in Khorramabad Day Care Child Centers Western of Iran, ۲۰۱۸

Introduction: the aim of this study was to determine the quantity and quality of indoor and outdoor air fungus bioaerosols in Khorramabad day care child centers. Materials and Methods: A total of ۱۸۰ air samples were collected from ۱۰ centers in ۲۰۱۸. The samples included ۷ indoor and ۲ outdoor sampling points. The total number of children was ۵۸۰. Sampling of fungal bioaerosols was performed by the ZEFON pump (ZEFON factory, USA) with a flow rate of ۲۸.۳ L/min. The Sabouraud Dextrose Agar containing chloramphenicol was used as the culture medium. Relative humidity and temperature were measured by a Hygro-Thermometer (TES-۱۳۶۰A- Taiwan-made Humidity and temperature meter). Results: The results showed that ۹۶.۱ % of the samples were positive and had grown colonies. The highest amount of fungal agents in the indoor air and outdoor air were ۱۷۵.۵۸ CFU/m۳ and ۲۷۴.۵۶ CFU/m۳ in May, while the lowest rates were ۳.۴ CFU/m۳ and ۷.۸ CFU/m۳ in July, respectively. Aspergillus niger and Mucor were the most highly abundant fungus genera, while Fusarium was the lowest one. In all samples, the I/O (indoor/outdoor) ratio was more than ۱; so, fungal bioaerosols in indoor environments were dominant than the outdoor fungal bioaerosols. The relationship of fungal bioaerosols with RH and T)°C( was significant (P-value = ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Generally, the amount of contamination is considerable in the studied day care child centers. Therefore, ventilation modification is recommended by a purifier filter. Moreover, the ventilation conditions and favorable air standards should be monitored continuously by supervisory authorities.

Keywords:

Fungi , Air Pollution , Indoor , Child Day Care Centers , Iran.