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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The aim of this chapter is to present the challenges regarding occupational fungal burden assessment and the solutions to overcome them to allow exposure assessors/occupational hygienists to decide about sampling methods and assays aiming for reliable fungal risk characterization. Fungi occupational exposure can be estimated using a diversity of different sampling methods and assays and each situation is unique and requires very specific and critical decisions. Using passive sampling methods in parallel with active methods and as laboratory routine apply culture based-methods using at least two culture media (MEA and DG18) and target harmful fungal species through molecular tools (qPCR) should be the protocol to follow to assess occupational exposure to fungal burden. To avoid exposure assessments that go beyond the possible conclusions, exposure assessors should be informed about the limitations of sampling methods and assays. Further, if these professionals are also aware of the ways to overcome each limitation the exposure assessment and, consequently, the risk characterization will more reliable.
Description
Project “Occupational exposure of ambulance drivers to bioburden” (IPL/2020/BIOAmbuDrivers_ESTeSL)
FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.
FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.
Keywords
Occupational health Occupational exposure Sampling methods Laboratory assays Exposure assessment Fungal contamination IPL/2020/BIOAmbuDrivers_ESTeSL FCT_UIDB/05608/2020 FCT_UIDP/05608/2020
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Viegas C. Solutions aiming a more reliable fungal burden risk characterization. In: Arezes PM, et al., editors. Occupational and environmental safety and health III – Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (Vol. 406). Cham: Springer; 2022. p. 187-95.