Assessment of fungi and suspended particulate matter in the indoor air of households of Jammu city (J&K)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess status of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and fungi in the indoor air of households located at different sites in Jammu city. The study area was divided into seven sites. At each site, two households were selected randomly and in each household sampling of SPM (µg/m3) and Fungi (CFU/m3) were done twice at three sub sites i.e. bedroom, kitchen and drawing room. Alternaria alternata, Mucor sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergilus niger, A. fumigatus, A. clavatus, A. versicolor, A. glaucus, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum sp. were observed to be the most common fungi in the study area. SPM was found to be maximum (1006µg/m3) in households near water body and minimum (659µg/m3) in the households near hospital. The minimum value of fungal count (20076 CFU/m3) was exhibited by households near National Highway I-A whereas maximum value of fungal count (27226 CFU/m3) was exhibited by the Households located in commercial area. A significant positive correlation (r) was also found between SPM and fungi (+0.06 to +0.62) as well as fungi and relative humidity (+0.10 to +0.60) in the study area.