Electrostatic dust cloth: a reliable tool for exposure assessment to fungal contamination

Renata Cervantes, Bianca Gomes, Marta Dias, Liliana Aranha Caetano, Carla Viegas

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Nowadays a new collection method, the electrostatic dust cloth (EDC) has been used for microbial assessments. The study aimed to characterize the potential of EDC as a passive sampling method to identify critical indoor environments regarding exposure to fungal contamination. Twelve primary health care centers (PHCC), 12 ambulances, 11 firefighters headquarters (FFH) and 2 central hospitals (CH) were assessed through EDC. In urban PHCC and CH, the matrix showed the highest fungal contamination. Aspergillus sections were found in FFH, CH and in PHCC. Regarding azole resistance screening, Aspergillus sp. was identified in EDC from FFH. Additionally, EDC to assess mycotoxins in samples from CH, ambulances and FFH. Overall, the obtained results emphasize EDC as a valuable passive sampling method for exposure assessment to fungal contamination.

Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Event17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022 - Kuopio, Finland
Duration: 12 Jun 202216 Jun 2022

Conference

Conference17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022
Country/TerritoryFinland
CityKuopio
Period12/06/2216/06/22

Keywords

  • Electrostatic dust cloth
  • Fungal assessment
  • Occupational exposure

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