On the results of the aeropalinospore monitoring of urban air: some features of inside and inter-seasonal variability of lower fungi spores level

Abstract

Public health risks associated with molds include sensitization, allergic symptoms, irritation and/or toxicity. Sensitization to fungal allergens often occurs in patients who are hypersensitive to other groups allergens, including plant pollen. Both plants and molds are characterized by active growth in warm seasons, in temperate latitudes from April to October, which determines the presence of pollen grains of plants and mold spores in the atmospheric air during this period. This determines the needs in monitoring activity aimed to biogenic pollutants evaluation in the air of large cities where many people live compactly. The report presents the monitoring results of Alternaria, Cladosporium and other lower fungi spores in the air of Samara city in 2015 - 2020. It has been established that for the air environment of Samara, lower fungi cannot be considered as the predominant source of allergens. The high concentration of fungal spores is most often caused by fungi of Alternaria genus, which leads to the development of sensitization in 27.7% of children and 14.6% of adults in the region. The results of aeropalinospore monitoring demonstrated the lesser significance of Cladosporium genus fungi as a risk factor, or an allergens source for Samara city (Middle Volga region).