Method for determining the pollution load in the external air and interior air with bioindicators

摘要

Pollution of the atmosphere and of the air breathed in the home environment and at the workplace is increasingly frequent and is caused by a large number of pollutants and toxic molecules. Technical and chemical test methods are able in each case to measure only one aspect of the actual pollution situation. For these reasons, there is increasing use of so-called bioindicators. This is based on the recognition that all environmental factors together have an effect on humans and on animals and plants. A method has been developed with standardisable bioindicators in the form of test microorganisms in pure cultures with the aim of detecting a toxicity present in the air even from unknown and low pollutant concentrations and the effects thereof (in particular after prolonged exposure). It comprises an extremely simple, reproducible method with a wide range of applications.