Culturable Filamentous Fungi in the Air of Recreational Areas and Their Relationship with Bacteria and Air Pollutants during Winter

Abstract

One of the greatest environmental health problems to arise in recent years is air pollution. Inorganic and organic particles are important components of air aerosol. The potential of air microbiota as an indicator of air quality is gaining increasing research interest. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the level of fungal contamination and the levels of bacteria and smog particles in outdoor air in recreational areas during the heating season. A quantitative and qualitative mycological evaluation and quantitative bacteriological evaluation of air quality in 10 selected parks were performed. The numbers of microorganisms in the air were correlated with smog levels. The mean prevalence of fungi was 18.96 ± 15.43–23.30 ± 26.70 CFU/m3 of air and the mean bacterial count was 74.06 ± 130.89–268.04 ± 126.10 CFU/m3. Among the isolated fungi, clinically significant species were identified: four species belonged to Risk Group 2, and 17 to Risk Group 1. The predominant genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria. The total number of bacteria demonstrated a positive correlation with the size of the park, air temperature and ozone level during sampling, and a negative correlation with humidity, pressure and smog parameters (CO, NO, NO2 and NOx). The qualitative and quantitative composition of bioaerosols can be used as a bioindicator for environmental monitoring. There is a need for more efficient monitoring of airborne pollutants and microorganisms to learn about the structure of the air biota, the mechanisms regulating their occurrence, and to identify potential threats to human health.