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- Bioburden in sleeping environments from Portuguese dwellingsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Dias, Marta; Monteiro, Ana; Faria, Tiago; Lage, Joana; Carolino, Elisabete; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Anita Q.; Almeida, Susana Marta; Verde, Sandra Cabo; Belo, Joana; Canha, NunoA wider characterization of indoor air quality during sleep is still lacking in the literature. This study intends to assess bioburden before and after sleeping periods in Portuguese dwellings through active methods (air sampling) coupled with passive methods, such as electrostatic dust cloths (EDC); and investigate associations between before and after sleeping and bioburden. In addition, and driven by the lack of information regarding fungi azole-resistance in Portuguese dwellings, a screening with supplemented media was also performed. The most prevalent genera of airborne bacteria identified in the indoor air of the bedrooms were Micrococcus (41%), Staphylococcus (15%) and Neisseria (9%). The major indoor bacterial species isolated in all ten studied bedrooms were Micrococcus luteus (30%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) and Micrococcus varians (11%). Our results highlight that our bodies are the source of the majority of the bacteria found in the indoor air of our homes. Regarding air fungal contamination, Chrysosporium spp. presented the highest prevalence both in after the sleeping period (40.8%) and before the sleeping period (28.8%) followed by Penicillium spp. (23.47% morning; 23.6% night) and Chrysonilia spp. (12.4% morning; 20.3% night). Several Aspergillus sections were identified in air and EDC samples. However, none of the fungal species/strains (Aspergillus sections Fumigati, Flavi, Nidulantes and Circumdati) were amplified by qPCR in the analyzed EDC. The correlations observed suggest reduced susceptibility to antifungal drugs of some fungal species found in sleeping environments. Toxigenic fungal species and indicators of harmful fungal contamination were observed in sleeping environments.
- Self-perception of indoor air quality during sleep: preliminary findings from HypnosAir studyPublication . Araújo Gonçalves, Sara; Belo, Joana; Lage, Joana; Almeida-Silva, Marina; Carolino, Elisabete; Mendez, Sergio; Cruz, Miguel Meira e; Canha, NunoIntroduction: Building occupants' comfort and health have been enhanced by Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). This concept has drawn increased attention in recent decades from the international scientific community, political institutions, and environmental governance. Additionally, the traditional methods for assessing indoor air quality(IAQ)are intended to reduce and control indoor air pollutants without considering the individual perceptions of occupants. Therefore, it is important to have an integrated approach that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Furthermore, the HypnosAir study aims to investigate the environmental elements that influence sleep quality and assess the contribution that the sleeping environment plays in the daily integrated human exposure to air pollution.