Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
10:33

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure

Published on: May 27, 2022

7.3K

Fungal and bacterial growth in floor dust at elevated relative humidity levels

K C Dannemiller1,2, C J Weschler3, J Peccia4

  • 1Department of Civil, Environmental & Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.

Indoor Air
|June 9, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Elevated humidity fuels microbial growth in floor dust, with fungi thriving above 80% relative humidity and bacteria only at 100%. This impacts indoor air quality through microbial resuspension.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Indoor air quality research
  • Building science

Background:

  • Sustained elevated moisture in buildings promotes bacterial and fungal proliferation.
  • Understanding microbial behavior in indoor environments is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize microbial growth in floor dust across a range of equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) levels.
  • To determine the impact of varying ERH on bacterial and fungal community structure and growth rates.

Main Methods:

  • Floor dust was incubated on carpet coupons at ERH levels from 50% to 100%.
  • Quantitative PCR and DNA sequencing were used to analyze bacterial and fungal growth and community shifts.
  • Resuspension modeling was employed to estimate airborne microbial contributions.

Main Results:

  • Fungal growth was observed at ERH levels above 80%, with significant growth rates at 85% and 100% ERH.
  • Bacterial growth was detected exclusively at 100% ERH after one week.
  • Elevated ERH levels led to substantial changes in fungal and bacterial community structures, with over 100 species linked to higher humidity.

Conclusions:

  • Building moisture significantly influences microbial growth and community composition in floor dust.
  • Fungal growth at 85% ERH and above can contribute substantially to airborne microbes via resuspension.
  • Controlling indoor humidity is critical for mitigating microbial proliferation and potential health risks.
Keywords:
DNA sequencingbacteriaexposurefungiindoor microbiomemoistureresuspension

More Related Videos

Investigating Bacterial-Fungal Interactions using Fungal Highway Columns in Diverse Environments and Substrates05:22

Investigating Bacterial-Fungal Interactions using Fungal Highway Columns in Diverse Environments and Substrates

Published on: January 24, 2025

858
Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level08:19

Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

Published on: June 23, 2022

4.4K

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...
2
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
2.0K
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
1
Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods01:23

Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods

Direct methods for measuring microbial populations in a culture are essential tools in microbiology, providing quantitative data for various applications. Among these, microscopic counts, plate counts, and serial dilution are widely used techniques, each with unique principles and applications.Microscopic CountsMicroscopic counting involves the use of a Petroff-Hausser chamber, a specialized microscope slide with a grid and defined depth. By observing a liquid culture under a microscope,...
2.5K