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Critical insights on fungal contamination in schools: a comprehensive review of assessment methods

2025-06Journal article Open access
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datacite.subject.sdg03:Saúde de Qualidade
dc.contributor.authorCervantes, Renata
dc.contributor.authorPena, Pedro
dc.contributor.authorRiesenberger, Bruna
dc.contributor.authorRodriguez, Margarida
dc.contributor.authorHenderson, Drew
dc.contributor.authorGonçalves, Sara
dc.contributor.authorNewire, Enas
dc.contributor.authorPogner, Clara
dc.contributor.authorSalonen, Heidi
dc.contributor.authorAlmeida-Silva, Marina
dc.contributor.authorFerguson, Robert M.
dc.contributor.authorHaverinen-Shaughnessy, Ulla
dc.contributor.authorViegas, Carla
dc.date.accessioned2025-07-02T13:33:30Z
dc.date.available2025-07-02T13:33:30Z
dc.date.issued2025-06
dc.descriptionThe author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; projects IPL/IDI&CA2024/WWTPSValor_ESTeSL and IPL/IDI&CA2024/MycoSOS_ESTeSL. This work was also supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard award Round 7 (SBF007\100130). Funded by the European Union (grant agreement: 101056883). Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. InChildHealth is also receiving funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI grant agreement 22.00324), from the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI grant agreement 10040524), and from the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC grant agreements APP2017786 and APP2008813).
dc.description.abstractThis review addresses the increasing problem of fungal contamination in schools, which has a profound impact on indoor air quality and student health. Fungal contamination creates health problems such as respiratory problems, allergies, which can be particularly harmful in schools (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium sp. are especially important as they are well-known indoor allergens and can induce serious respiratory diseases). This study aims to determine the effect of geographic location as well as season of filamentous fungi in the school context. Through a comprehensive screening of 6,659 articles, 47 studies were selected for data extraction, detailing sampling techniques, analysis methods, climatic conditions, and relevant fungal species. The study highlights the importance of regularly measuring IAQ and utilizing both active and passive sampling methodologies in addition to molecular genetic analysis to complement identification and improve comparability across studies. A targeted monitoring is also proposed for species such as Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspergillus section Fumigati), Fusarium sp., and Mucorales order, which are therapeutically relevant, as well as Stachybotrys atra and Aspergillus section Flavi, in terms of their toxicological potential. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of consistent data formatting for effective meta-analysis and the need for further research to inform regulatory frameworks protecting student health. Recommendations for minimizing fungal threats include evaluating building structure, ventilation, cleaning practices, and gathering information from parents about school activities. Overall, the study underscores the global health risks posed by fungi in schools and calls for extensive investigations combining various sampling and analytical techniques. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of consistent data formatting for effective meta-analysis and the need for further research to inform regulatory frameworks protecting student health. Recommendations for minimizing fungal threats include evaluating building structure, ventilation, cleaning practices, and gathering information from parents about school activities. Overall, the study underscores the global health risks posed by fungi in schools and calls for extensive investigations combining various sampling and analytical techniques.eng
dc.identifier.citationCervantes R, Pena P, Riesenberger B, Rodriguez M, Gonçalves S, Almeida-Silva M, Viegas C, et al. Critical insights on fungal contamination in schools: a comprehensive review of assessment methods. Front Public Health. 2025;13:1557506.
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpubh.2025.1557506
dc.identifier.issn2296-2565
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/21947
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.publisherFrontiers Media SA
dc.relation.hasversionhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1557506/full
dc.relation.ispartofFrontiers in Public Health
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectEnvironmental health
dc.subjectFungi
dc.subjectExposure assessment
dc.subjectSchool
dc.subjectIAQ
dc.subjectTarget fungal pathogens
dc.subjectFCT_UIDB/05608/2020
dc.subjectFCT_UIDP/05608/2020
dc.subjectIPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M
dc.subjectIPL/IDI&CA2024/WWTPSValor_ESTeSL
dc.subjectIPL/IDI&CA2024/MycoSOS_ESTeSL
dc.titleCritical insights on fungal contamination in schools: a comprehensive review of assessment methodseng
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.startPage1557506
oaire.citation.titleFrontiers in Public Health
oaire.citation.volume13
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85
person.familyNameWellenkamp de Carvalho Freire de Cervantes
person.familyNamePena
person.familyNameAlmeida-Silva
person.familyNameViegas
person.givenNameRenata
person.givenNamePedro
person.givenNameMarina
person.givenNameCarla
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