Abstract
The exposure to particles and bioaerosols has been associated with the increase in health effects in children. The objective of this study was to assess the indoor exposure to bioburden in the indoor microenvironments more frequented by children. Air particulate matter (PM) and settled dust were sampled in 33 dwellings and four schools with a medium volume sampler and with a passive method using electrostatic dust collectors (EDC), respectively. Settled dust collected by EDC was analyzed by culture-based methods (including azole resistance profile) and using qPCR. Results showed that the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in classrooms (31.15 μg/m3 and 57.83 μg/m3, respectively) were higher than in homes (15.26 μg/m3 and 18.95 μg/m3, respectively) and highly exceeded the limit values established by the Portuguese legislation for indoor air quality. The fungal species most commonly found in bedrooms was Penicillium sp. (91.79%), whereas, in living rooms, it was Rhizopus sp. (37.95%). Aspergillus sections with toxigenic potential were found in bedrooms and living rooms and were able to grow on VOR. Although not correlated with PM, EDC provided information regarding the bioburden. Future studies, applying EDC coupled with PM assessment, should be implemented to allow for a long-term integrated sample of organic dust.
Highlights
Children are more susceptible to air pollutants compared to adults since they breathe more air relative to their body weight, their immune system is still in development and they have a lower ability to deal with the toxicity due to their undeveloped airways [1,2]
particulate matter (PM) is classified according to their diameter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10, which are particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 and 10 μm, respectively), because this physical characteristic highly affects the penetration into the respiratory tract [6,7]
The PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the 8-hr limit value established by the Portuguese legislation for indoor air quality (Portaria 353-A/2013, 25 μg/m3 ) in 50% of the schools and in 12% of the dwellings and the PM10 limit value (50 μg/m3 ) was exceeded in 50% of the schools and in 3% of the dwellings
Summary
Children are more susceptible to air pollutants compared to adults since they breathe more air relative to their body weight, their immune system is still in development and they have a lower ability to deal with the toxicity due to their undeveloped airways [1,2]. Pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) are linked to an increase in morbidity and mortality [4,5]. PM is classified according to their diameter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10, which are particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 and 10 μm, respectively), because this physical characteristic highly affects the penetration into the respiratory tract [6,7]. The health impact of the PM depends on its composition, which is highly determined by the emission sources
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