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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2012.38.5.407

Distribution Characteristics of Airborne Fungi in a Partial Area of Seoul City  

Kim, Ki-Youn (Department of Industrial Health, Catholic University of Pusan)
Kim, Dae-Keun (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science & Technology)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.38, no.5, 2012 , pp. 407-414 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: This study was performed to assess based on field investigation the distribution characteristics of airborne fungi in an area of Seongdong-gu, Seoul. Methods: Three sites, a living area, forest and traffic site, were selected for evaluation of monthly level of outdoor airborne fungi. An on-site survey was executed between January 2009 and December 2009. During the experimental period, air sampling was performed every month in the afternoon (2:00 pm-5:00 pm) using a cascade impactor. Results: Outdoor airborne fungi measured in Seoul, Korea over one year showed a concentration range from 850CFU $m^{-3}$ to 15,200CFU $m^{-3}$. The mean respirable fraction of outdoor airborne fungi was 67% compared to total concentration. Regardless of measurement site, there was no significant concentration difference in outdoor airborne fungi between periods of yellow dust and non-yellow dust (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation relationship between outdoor airborne fungi and atmospheric factors such as temperature and relative humidity. The predominant genera of airborne fungi identified were Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Paecilomyces and Penicillium. Conclusion: Monthly levels of outdoor airborne fungi were highest in April and November and lowest in August. In seasonal concentration distribution, the autumn showed the highest level of outdoor airborne fungi, followed by spring, summer and winter. In regional concentration distribution, the highest level of outdoor airborne fungi was generally found in the forest, followed by the living area and traffic site.
Keywords
airborne fungi; outdoor; seoul; yellow dust; season;
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