Concentrations and environmental influences of airborne fungi at university laboratories, hospital diagnostic laboratories

대학실험실과 병원진단검사실에서의 부유진균 농도와 환경영향인자

  • Hwang, Sung-Ho (Institute of Health and Environment, School of Public Health, Seoul National University) ;
  • Park, Dong-Uk (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University) ;
  • Ha, Kwon-Chul (Department of Biochemistry and Health Science, Changwon National University) ;
  • Park, Hyun-Hee (Occupaional Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Joo, Se-Ik (Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital) ;
  • Yoon, Chung-Sik (Institute of Health and Environment, School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
  • 황성호 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과, 보건환경연구소) ;
  • 박동욱 (한국방송통신대학교 환경보건학과) ;
  • 하권철 (창원대학교 보건의과학과) ;
  • 박현희 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 주세익 (서울대학교병원 진단검사의학과) ;
  • 윤충식 (서울대학교 보건대학원 환경보건학과, 보건환경연구소)
  • Received : 2010.09.09
  • Accepted : 2010.12.17
  • Published : 2010.12.31

Abstract

This study evaluated the airborne concentrations of fungi in university laboratories, hospital diagnostic laboratories in Seoul. The incubated fungi was identified by lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) staining method. Variables such as types of ventilation, temperature and relative humidity were investigated to explain laboratory airborne fungal concentrations. A total of 97 air samples were collected from 10 facilities in two institutions. Aspergilus spp., including Aspergilus niger, Aspergillius flavos and Penicillium spp. were found as predominant species. Airborne fungal concentrations ranged from not detected (ND) to 1,890 CFU/$m^3$. Airborne fungal concentrations were high in general-ventilated facilities and in laboratories where relative humidity ( > 60 %) were high ( p < 0.001). Therefore, we suggest that relative humidity should be maintained to properly reduce the concentration of fungal in university and hospital laboratories.

Keywords

References

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