Open AccessDistribution and Identification of Airborne Fungi in Railway Stations in Tokyo, Japan
Author(s) -
Kawasaki Tamami,
Kyotani Takashi,
Ushiogi Tomoyoshi,
Izumi Yasuhiko,
Lee Hunjun,
Hayakawa Toshio
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.o9022
Subject(s) - environmental science , distribution (mathematics) , identification (biology) , biology , mathematics , botany , mathematical analysis
Distribution and Identification of Airborne Fungi in Railway Stations in Tokyo, Japan: Tamami K awasaki , et al . Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Railway Technical Research InstituteObjectives The current study was performed to (1) understand the distribution of airborne fungi culturable on dichloran‐glycerol agar (DG18) media over a one‐year monitoring period, (2) identify the types of airborne fungi collected, and (3) compare and contrast underand above‐ground spaces, in two railway stations in Tokyo, Japan. Methods Measurements of airborne fungi were taken at stations A and B located in Tokyo. Station A had under‐ and above‐ground concourses and platforms whereas station B had spaces only above‐ground. Airborne fungi at each measurement position were collected with an air sampler on DG18 media. After cultivation of the sample plates, the number of fungi colonies was counted on each agar plate. Results In station A, the underground platform was characterized as (1) having the highest humidity and (2) a high concentration of airborne fungi, with (3) a high proportion of non‐sporulating fungi (NSF) and Aspergillus versicolor . There was a strong positive correlation between the concentrations of airborne particles and fungi in station A. Common aspects of the two stations were (1) that fungi were mostly detected in autumn, and (2) there was no correlation between the humidity and concentration of fungi throughout the year. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that the distribution and composition of fungi differ depending on the structure of the station.