The Investigation of Fungal Spores in Intramural Air Using a Burkard Continuous Recording Air Sampler

Abstract

A newly developed air sampler, the Burkard Continuous Recording Air Sampler, was used to investigate airborne fungal spores in different rooms inside three different houses. Airborne fungal spores were also trapped at roof-top level using Burkard Recording Volumetric Spore Traps. Spores caught by both traps were identified visually, not by cultural methods. A detailed comparison was made of the concentrations of airborne fungal spores caught by the two types of trap in the four spore categories: total spores, Cladosporium, Sporobolo myces and Aspergillus/Penicillium. In general, extramu ral spore concentrations were greater than intramural concentrations, except when there was an internal source of spores. There were different levels of concen trations in different rooms at different times depending on factors such as substrates for fungal growth, occu pancy, state of ventilation, and the presence of ionisers. The performances of the two types of trap were also compared outdoors, but under cover: their performance was similar, except for very small spores.