Indoor-outdoor seasonal relationship on the build up of air mycroflora in 12 council flats within Glasgow metropolis

H. M. Musa, K. E. Aidoo, C. A. Hunter*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Mould growth on the inside of buildings continues to be to be a problem in the UK with the associated health risk to the occupants. To better understand the exposure-health relationship of the mould distribution throughout the year, information on what is present in the indoor environment need to be established. In this study, a quantitative assessment of viable airborne fungal spore was carried out in 12 council flats within the Glasgow metropolis over a one year period. Air samples were collected for fungal analysis using Surface Air System, SAS Supper 180TM on Malt Extract Agar and Oxytetracycline Glucose Yeast Extract Agar. The results showed that indoor air mycoflora was higher during the summer with Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, zygomycetes and yeasts as the most common fungal species present. Indoor fungal counts were generally lower than outdoor counts. The total indoor counts ranged from 2305 CFU/m3 in the winter to 4628 CFU/m3 in the summer and the outdoor counts averaged 2992 CFU/m3 in the winter and 6722 CFU/m3 in the summer. Seasonal variation was considered to be mainly due to changes in temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHB 2006 - Healthy Buildings: Creating a Healthy Indoor Environment for People, Proceedings
Pages437-442
Number of pages6
Volume2
Publication statusPublished - 2006
EventHealthy Buildings: Creating a Healthy Indoor Environment for People, HB 2006 - Lisboa, Portugal
Duration: 4 Jun 20068 Jun 2006

Conference

ConferenceHealthy Buildings: Creating a Healthy Indoor Environment for People, HB 2006
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityLisboa
Period4/06/068/06/06

Keywords

  • Indoor
  • Mould
  • Relative Humidity
  • Temperature

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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