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Beyond quantitative indicators: comprehensive characterization of indoor fungal contamination in Portuguese elementary schools
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Children are particularly vulnerable to environmental pollutants, making indoor air quality in schools a key health determinant. This study addresses regulatory gaps and the lack of standardized methods for assessing fungal contamination in Portuguese elementary schools, particularly regarding pathogenicity, toxigenicity, and antifungal resistance. Fungal contamination was assessed in 11 Portuguese elementary schools using surveys on building context and operation, active and passive air sampling, molecular detection of Aspergillus sections by qPCR, mycotoxin and azole resistance screening, and PM measurements. Results: Schools showed heterogeneous ventilation, with some relying on natural ventilation and others using mechanical systems. Airborne fungal contamination was dominated by respirable fractions, reaching 3.3×102 CFU m-3. Culture-based analyses revealed distinct fungal profiles, with Cladosporium sp. and Penicillium sp. frequently prevailing, while Aspergillus detection increased at higher incubation temperatures. Seasonal variability was observed, with contamination patterns differing between seasons. Rural and urban schools showed contrasting fungal distributions, with higher concentrations in rural schools, particularly in EDCs on DG18 at 27 °C (1.67 × 103 CFU/m2). Azole resistance screening detected resistant Aspergillus sections across environments. In gymnasiums, the Fumigati section represented 100% of sections detected on ITZ in filters and EDCs. In classrooms, Circumdati and Fumigati accounted for 100% of sections detected on ITZ in EDCs, while the Candidi section represented 100% in filters. The Fumigati section also grew on VOZ and POZ in EDCs. Mycotoxins, including ochratoxin A, mycophenolic acid, and sterigmatocystin, were detected in 1.93% of dust samples. Particle concentrations occasionally exceeded reference thresholds in warm (47.1% PM2.5; 58.8% PM10) and cold seasons (47.4% PM2.5; 23.1% PM10). Regulatory thresholds did not prevent the detection of relevant fungal hazards, including Aspergillus species and azole-tolerant growth. These findings show that quantitative indicators alone may not capture exposure complexity, highlighting the need for complementary data and the limitations in the current legal framework.
Descrição
H&TRC authors gratefully acknowledge FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M. This project was partly funded by an EU Horizon 2021 grant no. 101056883 and co-funding from the author’s organizations and/or Ministries. Funding from Swiss SERI grant 22.00324, UKRI grant 10040524, and NHMRC grant APP2017786 and APP2008813. Views expressed are of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of EU, Swiss SERI, UKRI, or NHMRC.
Palavras-chave
Exposure contamination Indoor air Air quality Fungal contamination Elementary school Portugal FCT_UIDP/05608/2020 FCT_UIDB/05608/2020 2023.01366.BD IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Cervantes R, Pena P, Carolino E, Twarużek M, Viegas S, Viegas C, et al. Beyond quantitative indicators: comprehensive characterization of indoor fungal contamination in Portuguese elementary schools. Environ Res. 2026:124706. Epub ahead of print.
Editora
Elsevier BV