Environmental monitoring and emission of pollutants in buildings

Environmental exposure and assessment of spores

The spores, not just the vegetative mycelium, of many toxigenic moulds (toxin-producing moulds or toxic moulds) have been demonstrated to contain mixtures of the toxins known to be produced by the species. For example, the conidia (spores) of a number of commonly occurring moulds in buildings contain toxins including: Fusarium graminearum (DON), F. sporotrichioides (T-2), F. moniliforme (fumonisin), Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) (satratoxins), Penicillium expansum (citrinin), P. chrysogenum (roquefortine C), P. brevicompactum (mycophenolic acid), Aspergillus versicolor (sterigmatocystin), A. flavus, A. parasiticus (aflotoxins).

A wide variety of symptoms are associated with exposure to the spores of commonly occurring toxic mould Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) from handling contaminated hay and in water damaged buildings, including respiratory tract bleeding. Exposure to S. chartarum (atra) and its toxins are reported to have caused respiratory and other symptoms.

Inhalation exposure to very high concentrations of fungal spores can lead to an allergic reaction called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Lower levels of exposure to conidia (spores) also have consequences for both atopic (allergy sensitive) and non-atopic individuals.

Exposure can also produce a variety of non-allergic effects on lung function, particularly interference with pulmonary alveolar macrophage cells. A variety of undesirable effects occur if sufficient numbers of these cells are damaged and a variety of biochemical changes can occur. Unusual exposure to fungal spores, alone and in combination with biotic and abiotic factors can be expected to promote viral and bacterial disease and decrease general well being.

Monitoring for range and size of fungal species and symptoms in susceptible individuals
Size (um) Site Symptoms Fungi isolated
>10 Nose

Rhinitis Type I

Allergic reaction

Sneezing and eye watering

Alternaria species*

Epicoccum species*

Fusarium species*
4-10 Bronchi and bronchioles (lungs)

Asthma Type I

Allergy

Cladosporium species*

Mucor species*
2-4 Alveoli (lungs)

Extrinsic allergic alveolitis

Type III Allergy (a fever like condition)

4-6 hours after the exposure

Aspergillus species*

Penicillium species*

* Fungi commonly found in buildings