CHARACTERIZATION OF AIRBORNE MYCOFLORA IN ACADEMIC BUILDINGS OF A TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

Atmospheric pollution has become one of the most pressing problems of our age, and the involvement of indoor air poses a potential threat to the health and well-being of the populace. This study therefore, focused on assessing indoor airborne fungi in some  buildings in a Tertiary Institution in Rivers State Nigeria. Sampling sites included classrooms, shopping complex, restaurant, and residential quarters. The open plate method called ‘Sedimentation Technique’ was employed in the analysis of air-borne indoor fungi using Sabouraud Dextrose agar medium. Sampling was carried out weekly for four weeks. Results  of total counts of fungi in ten (10) sampling sites ranged between 1.7 and 60.2X13CFU M-3  while mean counts ranged from 6.5 – 21X103CFU M-3. Fungi isolated during the period of the study were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans, A. terreus, Cladosporium  resinae, Fusarium species and Penicillium spinulosum; some of which have been implicated in respiratory infections. The study revealed that m icrobial load and types varied from site to site and from week to week throughout the study period. Furthermore, high load of fungi observed in some sampling sites indicated that the  requirements regarding building design were not observed during construct ion of the sampled buildings; hence most of the buildings sampled revealed conditions below living standard