Prevalence of Aero-Allergenic Micro Fungi in Extra & Intramural Environments of a Saw Mill in Pondicherry City, India

Abstract:

Prevalence of airborne fungal spores with their seasonal periodicity in the extra and intramural environments of a saw mill of Pondicherry region was carried out by gravitation method from January 2011 to December 2011. Composition and concentration of fungal spores considerably varied from indoors to outdoors as well as from season to season. Indoor air harbored maximum fungal spores (61%) in comparison to outdoor air (39%). Occurrence of fungal species was predominated with more number of propagules during mid winter (December) and early rainy (July) periods in comparison to other months. Quantitatively, Cladosporium was found with the highest frequency and had four members i.e., C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum, C. resinae, C. sphaerospermum but qualitatively, Penicilli and aspegilii were isolated highest in its contribution to total CFUs. Out of the 32 isolated fungal taxa, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, Rhizopus stolonifer and Alternaria alternata were the predominant aeroallergens which cause different types of respiratory/lung diseases in atopic human beings were isolated. In seasonal periodicity, winter contributed the maximum spore load (41%) followed by rainy (33%), summer was found with the least (26%) in harboring the spore mass in the indoors and outdoors. Alternaria alternata, which is accounted as a human allergen for sporosis inducer and an agent for hay fever and other pathologies, was also intermittently recorded. A few plant pathogenic fungi like Helmithosporium sp. & Fusarium spp, saprophytic, field and storage fungi were also recorded during the study period. Effect of meteorological parameters on the fungal spores in the saw mill atmosphere was significantly assessed by Pearsons correlation coefficient analysis.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 760)
• Pages: 53-60
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.760.53
• Online since: July 2013
• Authors: B.K. Nayak, S. Suresh Kumar, Anima Nanda
• Keywords: Pearsons Correlation Coefficient, Saw Mill, Seasonal Incidence

References

[1] Abdul Hameed AA, Khoder MI, Farag SA. Organic dust and gaseous contaminants at wood working shops. J Environ Monit. 2000; 2(1):73-76.

DOI: 10.1039/a907102d

[2] Alwis KU, Mandryk J, Hocking AD. Exposure to biohazards in wood dust: bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, and (1→3)-beta-D-glucans. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 1999; 14(9): 598-608.

DOI: 10.1080/104732299302404

[3] Krysińska-Traczyk E, Skorska C, Cholewa G, Sitkowska G, Milanowski J, Dutkiewicz J. Exposure to airborne microorganisms in furniture factories. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2002; 9(1): 85-90.

DOI: 10.1080/00173139409427837

[4] Eduard W. Fungal spores: A critical review of the toxicological and epidemiological evidence as a basis for occupational exposure limit setting. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2009; 39(10): 799-864.

DOI: 10.3109/10408440903307333

[5] Opplinger A, Rusca S, Charriere N, Duc TV, Droz PO. Assessment of bioaerosols and inhalable dust exposure in Swiss sawmills. Ann Occup Hyg. 2005; 49(5): 385-391.

DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/meh105

[6] Madsen AM. Exposure to airborne microbial components in autumn and spring during work at Danish biofuel plants. Ann Occup Hyg. 2006; 50(8): 821-831.

DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mel052

[7] Čavlović A, Lučić Beljo R, Ištvanić J. Exposure to wood dust in Croatian woodworking industry. Wood Res. 2009; 54(3): 109-116.

[8] Lugauskas A, Krikštaponis A, Šveistyte L. Airborne fungi in industrial environments – potential agents of respiratory diseases. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2004; 11(1): 19-25.

[9] Johansson SGO, Bieber T, Dahl R, Friedmann PS, Lanier BQ, Lockey RF et al. Revised nomenclature for allergy for global use: Report of the nomenclature review committee of the World allergy organization, October 2003. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004; 113(5): 832-836.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2003.12.591

[10] Hedayati, M. T., Mayahi S., Aghili R., and Goharimoghadam K. 2005. Airborne Fungi in Indoor and Outdoor of Asthmatic Patients' Home, Living in the City of Sari. Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 4: 189 -191.

[11] Nanda, A., Nayak B. K. and Behera N. 2000. Allergenic Bioaerosols in Indoor Environments of Rural Houses. Environment, Health and Development. Ed: P. Dash Sharma; Ranchi. pp: 35-50.

[12] Infante, F. G. P.; Galan, C.; Dominguez, E.; Angulo,J. and Mediavilla, A.1992. Airs pore microfungi in dwellings of south of Spain. Aerobiologia, 8: 245-253.

DOI: 10.1007/bf02071633

[13] Li, CS; Hsu LY; Chou C.C and Hsieh K.H. 1995. Fungus allergens inside and outside residences of atopic and control children. Arch Environ Health. 50: 38-43.

DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1995.9955011

[14] Padmanabhan Jothish, Nayar, Themath. 2004.Airborne fungal spores in a sawmill environment in Palakkad District, Kerala, India. Aerobiologia, 20: 75-81.

DOI: 10.1023/b:aero.0000022981.70984.b7

[15] Lumpkins, E.D.; Corbit, S.L. and Tiedeman, G.M. 1973. Airborne fungi survey.I. Culture-plate survey of the home environment. Ann. Allergy, 31: 361-370.

[16] Nayak, B.K. and Behera, N. 1996. Seasonal and diurnal prevalence of airborne fungal spores over Berhampur University Campus, Orissa. J. Palynology , 32 : 29-39.