AN ANALYSIS OF OUTDOOR AIR REFERENCE SAMPLES COLLECTED IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION OF THE UNITED STATES

摘要

A seasonal outdoor air reference sample for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States was ascertained in this study. Cladosporium spores and basidiospores were the dominant or sub-dominant fungi identified in countable fungal samples. Cladosporium species were also the dominant fungi identified outdoors on culture plates. The goal of the research was to approximate the types of species and measured levels present in the outdoor environment in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. In essence, we tried to define what constitutes "normal" or "usual" microbiological conditions. Once we have defined "usual" conditions, it becomes simpler to determine "unusual" conditions when evaluating indoor environments for fungal exposures. We believe reference to this data may assist interpretation of sample results from indoor environments and assist risk assessment activities related to building assessments and clearance sampling activities following mold remediation projects.