Assessment of exposure to fungi in archives and libraries based on analyses of filter and nasal samples: preliminary investigation

The aim of this study was to characterize the occupational exposure to inhalable dust and airborne fungi among archive and library workers based on qualitative and quantitative analyses of stationary and personal filter samples as well as nasal swabs. The study was carried out in 3 archives and 2 li...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aerobiologia 2023-12, Vol.39 (4), p.415-428
Main Authors: Cyprowski, Marcin, Ławniczek-Wałczyk, Anna, Stobnicka-Kupiec, Agata, Gołofit-Szymczak, Małgorzata, Górny, Rafał L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergology
Archives & records
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Correlation analysis
Dust
Earth and Environmental Science
Environment
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Environmental Health
Fungi
Nose
Occupational exposure
Original Paper
Plant Pathology
Pneumology/Respiratory System
Samplers
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Summary:The aim of this study was to characterize the occupational exposure to inhalable dust and airborne fungi among archive and library workers based on qualitative and quantitative analyses of stationary and personal filter samples as well as nasal swabs. The study was carried out in 3 archives and 2 libraries and involved 9 workers of these institutions. Airborne fungi and inhalable dust samples were collected by stationary and personal measurements using filter samplers. Additionally, the nasal swabs from workers were taken after work-shift and microbiologically analysed. The average concentrations of inhalable dust and airborne fungi were 49 µg/m 3 (SD = 91) and 299 CFU/m 3 (SD = 579), respectively. Both dust and bioaerosol concentrations obtained using personal measurements were significantly higher than that measured by stationary sampling. The correlation analysis showed strong relationships between the concentrations of inhalable dust and airborne fungi (R = 0.57; p  
ISSN:0393-5965
1573-3025
DOI:10.1007/s10453-023-09798-3