Microbiological threat from buildings and rooms and its influence on human healt

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[Microbiological threat from buildings and rooms and its influence

on human health (sick building syndrome)]

Przegl Lek. 2000;57(7-8):419-23. Review. Polish.

PMID: 11109318 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Przegl Lek. 2000;57(7-8):419-23. Related Articles, Links

[Microbiological threat from buildings and rooms and its influence

on human health (sick building syndrome)]

[Article in Polish]

Ochmanski W, Barabasz W.

I Katedra i Klinika Chorob Wewnetrznych Collegium Medicum,

Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego w Krakowie.

In buildings we can observe many different strains of bacteria, over

400 species of mould fungi, many strains of fungus causing the

rotting of wood and wood like materials, many species of algae,

aphids, and other types of growths and seed plants and also over 30

types of mites especially those seen in house dust. Buildings,

especially their interiors have a very specific microclimate. Within

it areas of so called ecological lows are formed in which conditions

for settlement, growth and reproduction of these organisms take

place. A building, which is a hazard to the health of its residents,

is called a " sick building " from the term " sick building syndrome " .

The incidence and development of some types of mould fungus is

associated with the production of very toxic metabolites which are

called secondary metabolites i.e. mycotoxins. Long term human,

especially in relation to children, contact with the species

producing the most potent mycotoxins like aflatoxin--Apergillus

flavus, ochratoxins--Aspergillus ochraceus, rubratoxins--Penicillium

rubrum or strachybotrytoxins--Strachybotrys chartarum may even be

the cause of death. Mould fungus or just mould is a saprophytic

fungus derived from many different systemic groups (Mucor,

Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarinum). Fungi can produce lethal

mycotoxins such as: alternariol, aflatoxins, gliotoxins,

ochratoxins, nivalenol, cytinine, dicumarol, rugulosine,

trichoviridine and about 200 more which considering their

mutagenicity are potentially dangerous to humans, animals, flora and

microorganisms. Research which was begun by Prof. n

Aleksandrowicz and Prof. Boleslaw Smyk in 1970 and 1971 showed that

the so called " leukaemia houses " of leukaemia victims had an

abundance of toxinogenic fungus in them, particularly the most

potent fungus which turned out to be Aspergillus flavus. Toxinogenic

funguses are abundant in many living spaces and cellars in older and

also in new housing. Mycotoxins have been shown to be very toxic and

harmful and it is no wonder that many inhabitants of these living

spaces are constantly ill, mainly upper respiratory tract

infections, lethargy, constant headaches, nausea and a general ill

feeling. Inhabiting these living spaces for a considerable period

may lead to cancer.