• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.407-414
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• 2012

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.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.274-281
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• 2010

The objectives of this study are (a) to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of biological agents in sawmill industries and (b) to compare sampling methods of biological agents. The representative processes of 5 sawmills were selected to measure total airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin as well as dust. Airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with one stage impactor, six stage impactor and gelatin filteration methods. Endotoxin was collected with polycarbonate filters and analysed by kinetic chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate method. Geometric mean levels of airborne bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and dust were 1,864 CFU/$m^3$, 2,252 CFU/$m^3$, 31.5 EU/$m^3$ and 2.4 mg/$m^3$. The ratios of indoor/outdoor concentrations were 3.7 for bacteria, 4.1 for fungi, 3.3 for endotoxin and 9.7 for dust. The respiratory fractions of bacteria were 68.0, 50.9, 49.2 and 45.1% in band-saw, table-saw, rip-saw process and outdoor air. The respiratory fractions of fungi were 78.7, 90.8, 87.5 and 84.8% in band-saw, table-saw, rip-saw process and outdoor air, respectively. There was no significant differences in bacterial concentrations among single stage, six stage impaction and filteration methods. But, fungal concentrations measured with filtration methods were significantly higher than those with impaction methods. Geometric mean levels of airborne bacteria and fungi were higher than the OSHA guideline values of 1,000 CFU/$m^3$. The respiratory fractions of fungi were above 75%. The concentrations of biological agents were significantly different among culture-based sampling methods. In the exposure assessments of biological agents, further studies are needed for the comparisons of diverse sampling methods and the investigations of environmental factors.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.122-133
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• 2018

The Seonamsa temple is located on steep terrain surrounded by forests and valleys, and is a place that the temple is scared of biological damage because it has high humidity and low wind levels. Therefore, we investigated a concentration and diversity of airborne fungi in indoor and outdoor by collecting air each season. The outdoor fungal load was far higher in spring ($276CFU/m^3$), autumn ($196CFU/m^3$), summer ($128CFU/m^3$) than in winter ($24CFU/m^3$). The lowest located Jijangjeon and upper located Wontongjeon showed the highest distribution of $337.4CFU/m^3$ in summer and $333.4CFU/m^3$ in autumn, respectively. Summer is the season with large variations in the concentration of airborne fungi between indoor and outdoor, a concentration of airborne fungi in indoor was maximum three times higher than these in outdoor with $128CFU/m^3$. Although the most fungi were collected in spring, fungal diversity was richer in summer and autumn with 28 genera 45 species and 25 genera 47 species, respectively. In particular, the concentration of airborne fungi was the most highest in all sampling sites in autumn, of which Ascomycota members accounted for 86% and Cladosporium genus was dominated. The most kind of Penicillium (16 species) was mainly distributed in indoor air in summer, autumn and winter.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.438-446
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed in order to determine airborne fungi levels in homes and find related factors that may affect airborne fungi concentration. Methods: Fifty homes were study subjects for measuring airborne fungi. For sampling airborne fungi, the impaction method on agar plates was used and samples were counted as colony forming units per cubic meter of air ($CFU/m^3$). In addition, information regarding housing characteristics and atopic disease in each home were collected via questionnaire. Results: The geometric means (GM) of airborne fungi concentrations in fifty living rooms and bedrooms were 68.03 and 62.93 $CFU/m^3$, respectively. The GM of airborne fungi concentration in atopy homes was 78.42 $CFU/m^3$. This was higher than non-atopy homes' 54.34 $CFU/m^3$ (p-value=0.051). In the results of the multiple regression analysis, outdoor airborne fungal concentration proved a strong effective factor on indoor airborne fungal concentration. Also, construction year, floor area of house, indoor smoking and frequency of ventilation were factors that showed a significant association with indoor airborne fungi concentration. Conclusions: The results of this study show that some housing and living characteristics may affect the development and increase of airborne fungi. In addition, exposure to airborne fungi may be a risk factor for the prevalence of childhood atopic diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2007

The objective of the study is to investigate the distribution patterns of airborne bacteria and fungi in the feedstuff manufacture factory. The mean levels of airborne bacteria and fungi in the feedstuff manufacture factory were $113({\pm}18)cfu/m^3$ and $89({\pm}5)cfu/m^3$ for pelleting process and $198({\pm}5)cfu/m^3$ and $124({\pm}12)cfu/m^3$ for powdering process, respectively. The percentage of respirable and total concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi in the feedstuff manufacture factory ranged from 60% to 90% and were higher in pelleting process than powdering process. The ratio of indoor and outdoor airborne microorganism exceeded 1.0 regardless of types of feedstuff manufacture process. Based on the result of the study, there would be an association between environmental factors such as relative humidity and carbon dioxide and airborne microorganism's bioactivity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2006

The objective of this study is to provide fundamental data for pertinent management of indoor air quality through investigating the size-based characteristics of bioaerosol distributed in the general hospital. Measurement sites are main lobby, ICU, ward and laboratory and total five times were sampled with six-stage cascade impactor. Based on the result of this study, concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were the highest in main lobby as followed by an order of ward, ICU and laboratory. Concentrations of airborne bacteria was generally higher than those of airborne fungi and the ratio of indoor and outdoor concentration of both exceeded 1.0 in all the measurement sites of the general hospital. The predominant genera of airborne bacteria identified in the general hospital were Staphylococcus spp.(50%), Micrococcus spp.(15-20%), Corynebacterium spp.(5-20%), and Bacillus spp.(5-15%). On the other hand, the predominant genera of airborne fungi identified in the general hospital were Cladosporium spp.(30%), Penicillium spp.(20-25%), Aspergillus spp.(15-20%), and Alternaria spp.(10-20%). In regard to size distribution of bioaerosol, the detection rate was generally highest on 5 stage($1.1-2.1{\mu}m$) for airborne bacteria and on 1 stage(>$7.0{\mu}m$) for airborne fungi. Cleanliness of facilities in the general hospital and condition of HVAC system should be monitored regularly to prevent indoor air contamination by airborne microorganisms.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.652-663
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• 2019

To identify daily and annual changes in outdoor airborne fungi, it is necessary to shorten the collection cycle and increase the number of measurements. In this study, measurements were performed by employing an air sampler and potato dextrose agar media on the rooftop of National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage during a period of one year (August 2018 to July 2019). The collection cycle spanned the twenty-four seasonal divisions and the collection time was 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.. Meteorological elements were collected at intervals of one hour. Furthermore, the concentration of airborne fungi was monitored and correlation analysis with meteorological elements was subsequently conducted. Obtained results indicate that the concentration of airborne fungi is found to be highest in November, autumn, night, followed by autumn, summer, winter, and spring. The concentration, type, and dominant species of airborne fungi can vary depending on factors such as rainfall, typhoons, and yellow dust (fine dust). The concentration of airborne fungi indicates a strong positive linear relationship between precipitation, number of precipitation days, and relative humidity. The concentration of airborne fungi was related to the period of increase of dead plants in terms of nutrition source, and to the high relative humidity conditions including rainfall in terms of meteorological elements.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 1991

To assess biological air quality, concentrations of viable airborne microbes were determined in hospital home and outdoor air from August 25 to October 18, 1990. Bacteria, fungi and thermophilic bacteria were sampled using gravitational and suctional sampling method. In bacteria groups, the Staphylococcus spp. was identified by microscopic examination and biochemical tests. Results of the study are as follows. 1. Results using the gravitational sampling method indicated that average numbers of airborne microbes in hospital home and outdoor air were 21.5, 12.2 and 17.6 CFU/plate, respectively. These levels are well within an appropriate standard of 50 CFU/plate suggested by Endo. 2. Results using the suctional sampling method indicated that total airborne microbe concentrations in hospital, home and outdoor air were 1,998, 1,363 and $1,880CFU/m^3$, respectively. All of the results were within the recommended remedial action level, $10,000CFU/m^3$ of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH). 3. Concentration of thermophilic bacteria in hospital and outdoor air were 79 and $111CFU/m^3$, respectively. Thermophilic bacteria were not detected in the home air. These results were within the remedial action level, $500CFU/m^3$. 4. Concentrations of Gram negative bacilli in holpital home and outdoor air were 20.3, 23.6 and $16.8CFU/m^3$, respectively. all were within the remedial action level, $500CFU/m^3$, recommended by ACGIH. 5. Concentrations of Staphylococcus spp. in hospital, home and outdoor air were 34.8, 14.7, and $22.4CFU/m^3$. respectively. all were within the remedial action level, $75CFU/m^3$, recommended by ACGIH. The percentages of Staphylococcus spp. in total bacteria in hospital, home and outdoor air were 19.0, 10.2 and 14.5%, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to assess the level of fungi concentration in the university laboratories in Seoul, Korea, and to investigate factors contributing to these concentrations. The samples were taken from three spots in each laboratory; the top of sink, the center of laboratory, and the front of ventilation system, i.e fume hood at the chemical laboratory and clean bench/biosafety cabinet at the microbial laboratory. Air samples were collected using the single-stage Anderson sampler (Quick Take 30) at a flow rate of 28.3 l/min for 5 min on nutrient media in Petri-dishes located on the impactor. Fifty-two air samples were collected from 19 different laboratories (13 microbiology laboratories, 6 chemistry laboratories) in the university, and concentrations of airborne fungi showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between microbiology and chemistry laboratory, and also no significant difference at three locations (sink, center, front of ventilation system) in microbiology and chemistry laboratories. Average concentrations of fungi in 19 laboratories ranged from 7 to 459 cfu/$m^3$, with an overall Geometric Mean of 52 cfu/$m^3$. Airborne fungi concentrations of 6 samples (12 %) exceeded 150 cfu/$m^3$, the guideline of WHO. The ratios of Indoor/Outdoor for airborne fungi ranged from 0.2 to 4.8 (mean = 1.6). Related factors were measured such as relative humidity, temperature, and laboratory area. Temperature and laboratory area showed no significant relations to concentrations of airborne fungi except for relative humidity in the laboratory Concentrations of fungi were significant different (p<0.01) between rainy or cloudy and sunny. However, there was no significant difference between general ventilation and nongeneral ventilation.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.638-645
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• 2019

Objectives: For the risk management of airborne fungal diseases, our aim was to evaluate airborne fungi and study the toxicity associated with fungal allergic diseases using fungal species native to Korea. Methods: Fungi were isolated from outdoor air samples collected from Seoul, Incheon, Cheonan, Gwangju, Ulsan, Busan, and Jeju and tested for their cytotoxicity potential and their ability to induce proliferation and secretion of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in human mast cells (HMC-1). Results: More than 18 species of fungi were collected from outdoor air in Korea over one year, and the strains were identified and systematically analyzed. The results showed that the Cladosporium (59%) and Alternaria (22%) strains are the most common in outdoor air. Three of the collected strains (Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Penicillium) showed mild toxicity in cells involved in allergic inflammation, and twelve induced cell proliferation in HMC-1 cells. More importantly, many strains (Edgeworthia, Trametes, Emmia, Irpex, Talaromyces, Penicillium, Periconia, Epicocum, Bipolaris) induced the MDC protein in activated HMC-1 cells. Conclusion: Nineteen percent of the tested strains caused cytotoxicity in mast cell lines, whereas, most of the non-toxic strains contributed to cell activity. Among the tested strains, more than 80% increased the expression of MDC protein, which contributes to the severity of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis. It is, in fact, one of the markers for these conditions. Therefore, airborne fungus could be considered as an important marker for environmental risk management for allergic diseases in Korea.