THE PRESENCE OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH SICK BUILDING SYNDROME IN NORTH AMERICAN Z

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THE PRESENCE OF FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH SICK BUILDING SYNDROME IN

NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS

S. C. , B.Sc., Ph.D. and D. C. Straus, B.Sc., Ph.D.

http://www.bioone.org/perlserv/?request=get-document & issn=1042-

7260 & volume=033 & issue=04 & page=0322

A total of 110 sites from five zoological institutions were examined

to determine whether fungi associated with sick building syndrome

(SBS) were prevalent in the exhibits or night-time holding

facilities and to investigate whether the presence of these

organisms was associated with declining breeding rates or increases

in morbidity and mortality (or both). Each site was sampled with an

Andersen two-stage air sampler using Sabourauds dextrose agar media

and a Burkard personal volumetric air sampler. Suspect surfaces were

also sampled. High levels of airborne Penicillium chrysogenum, a

fungal species associated with poor indoor air quality, were

recovered from 16 sites out of all five institutions. Five

culturable growth sites of Stachybotrys chartarum, a species

strongly associated with SBS and commonly known as " black mold, "

were recovered from surfaces at two institutions. A wide range of

other fungal species was recovered in low numbers from all

institutions. A Fisher exact test analysis showed a significant

nonrandom association between high levels of P. chrysogenum and

sites with records of poor animal health. This study indicated that

significant numbers of airborne fungi associated with SBS and poor

indoor air quality are present in zoological institutions and that

they could affect animal health and reproduction rates and zoo staff.

Keywords: Fungi, zoo, airborne, sick building syndrome, black mold

Received: September 6, 2001

DOI: 10.1638/1042-7260(2002)033[0322:TPOFAW]2.0.CO;2