Fungal pollution of indoor environments and its management

A A Haleem Khan1, S Mohan Karuppayil

  • 1DST-FIST Sponsored School of Life Sciences, SRTM University, Nanded 431606, MS, India.

Insights

Indoor air pollution from fungi poses significant health risks, including allergies and infections. This review examines the impact of biological contaminants like fungi on human health in indoor settings.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Mycology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Indoor environments significantly influence human health.
  • Increased time spent indoors due to lifestyle changes in energy-efficient buildings.
  • Indoor air pollution stems from both non-biological and biological agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of biotic indoor air pollution.
  • To highlight the role of fungi as significant biological contaminants.
  • To assess the impact of indoor fungi on human health.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on indoor air quality.
  • Analysis of research on fungal distribution and prevalence indoors.
  • Examination of epidemiological data linking indoor fungi to health outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Fungi are widespread in indoor environments and represent a major health concern.
  • Exposure to indoor fungi is associated with various health issues, including allergies and infections.
  • Understanding fungal contamination is crucial for mitigating health risks.

Conclusions:

  • Biotic factors, particularly fungi, are critical components of indoor air quality.
  • Effective strategies are needed to control fungal growth and reduce exposure.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the complex relationship between indoor fungi and human health.

Related Concept Videos

Biodeterioration01:28

Biodeterioration

Biodeterioration refers to the unwanted alteration of materials caused by microorganisms—especially fungi—which damage both organic substrates (paper, wood, textiles) and inorganic ones (stone, plaster, glass). Unlike abiotic decay, biodeterioration results from biological activity that produces physical disruption and chemical degradation.Physical deterioration occurs as fungal hyphae penetrate pores, cracks, and surface irregularities. Hyphal turgor pressure, thigmotropic growth along...
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides01:28

Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides

Pesticides often feature structurally complex chemical architectures, incorporating halogen groups and multiple aromatic rings. These characteristics confer high chemical stability, rendering many pesticides resistant to natural degradation processes. This resistance poses significant environmental concerns, as persistent pesticide residues can accumulate in ecosystems and affect non-target organisms.Despite the inherent stability of many pesticides, certain microorganisms possess the metabolic...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...