DETECTION OF INDOOR AIRBORNE FUNGAL CONTAMINATION THROUGH EXAMINATION OF BUILDING HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) FILTERS

摘要

The purpose of this research was to evaluate fungal quantification from building HVAC filters as a means of assessing indoor fungal levels. Assessment was performed through the comparison of filter quantification and viable impactor sampling results. Research was conducted in three homes, an administrative office building, an academic research facility and an outpatient healthcare facility. Test filters were in ventilation systems for periods ranging from 4 days to 7 weeks. Results of data collected in the outpatient facility and three homes indicated statistically significant relationships between filter quantification and air sampling results over short term loading periods, but not over a longer term loading period. The results of longer loading periods in both the research and administrative facilities indicated the presence of a statistically significant relationship. Results also indicated that the filter quantification procedure demonstrated an increased ability to distinguish between varying building air concentrations when compared to impactor sampling.