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Cited by 329Indoor Air Quality and Microbial ExposureInfection Control and VentilationFungal Infections and Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 35 of the 35 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Correlation between the prevalence of certain fungi and sick building syndrome.

Open access
Cooley, J D, Wong, W C, Jumper, C A, Straus, D C·1998·Occupational and Environmental Medicine
DOI 10.1136/oem.55.9.579PMC PMC1757636
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of fungi in the production of sick building syndrome. METHODS: A 22 month study in the United States of 48 schools (in which there had been concerns about health and indoor air quality (IAQ). Building indoor air and surface samples, as well as outdoor air samples were taken at all sites to look for the presence of fungi or their viable propagules. RESULTS: Five fungal genera were consistently found in the outdoor air and comprised over 95% of the outdoor fungi. These genera were Cladosporium (81.5%), Penicillium (5.2%), Chrysosporium (4.9%), Alternaria (2.8%), and Aspergillus (1.1%). At 20 schools, there were significantly more colony forming units per cubic metre (CFU/m3) (p < 0.0001) of propagules of Penicillium species in the air samples from complaint areas when compared with the outdoor air samples and the indoor air samples from noncomplaint areas. At five schools, there were more, although not significant (p = 0.10), Penicillium propagules in the air samples from complaint areas when compared with the outdoor air samples and the indoor air samples from noncomplaint areas. In 11 schools, the indoor air (complaint areas) fungal ratios were similar to that in the outdoor air. In these 11 schools Stachybotrys atra was isolated from swab samples of visible growth under wetted carpets, on wetted walls, or behind vinyl wall coverings. In the remaining 11 schools, the fungal ratios and CFU/m3 of air were not significantly different in different areas. Many of the schools took remedial action that resulted in an indoor air fungal profile that was similar to that outdoors. CONCLUSIONS: Propagules of Penicillium and Stachybotrys species may be associated with sick building syndrome.

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Crossref · 10.1136/oem.55.9.579

Cites

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  • People living or working in buildings with mold problems have more respiratory symptoms and diseases than people in nonproblem buildings.

    “Although epidemiological studies show that people living or working in buildings with mold problems have more respiratory symptoms and diseases than people in nonproblem buildings, the relationship between inhaled fungal spores and induction of respiratory symptoms is still indeterminate and controversial in many aspects (7, 25, 35, 40, 45, 54).”

    From Fungal Fragments as Indoor Air Biocontaminants (2002) · cites this paper as [7]

    The COMPLAINTS section (page not available) reports respiratory symptoms and infections among staff in schools with indoor-air-quality complaints, and a significant reduction in complaints after remediation. It does not compare people in mold-problem buildings with people in nonproblem buildings, or study residents; its findings therefore support only part of the broader claim. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • The relationship between inhaled fungal spores and induction of respiratory symptoms is still indeterminate and controversial in many aspects.

    “Although epidemiological studies show that people living or working in buildings with mold problems have more respiratory symptoms and diseases than people in nonproblem buildings, the relationship between inhaled fungal spores and induction of respiratory symptoms is still indeterminate and controversial in many aspects (7, 25, 35, 40, 45, 54).”

    From Fungal Fragments as Indoor Air Biocontaminants (2002) · cites this paper as [7]

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Citations

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. National Academy of Sciences. Indoor pollutants. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1981.
  2. Wanner HU, VerhoeV AP, Colombi A, et al. Indoor air quality and its impact on man. Biological particles in indoor environments. Brussels, Luxembourg: Commission of the European Communities, 1993. (Rep No 12.)
  3. Sorenson WG, Frazer DG, Jarvis BB, et al. Tricothecene mycotoxins in aerosolized conidia of Stachybotrysatra. Appl Environ Microbiol 1987;53:1320–5.

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Metadata

Authors
Cooley, J. D., Wong, W. C., Jumper, C. A., & Straus, D. C.
Affiliations
Texas Tech University (US)
Venue
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Publisher
BMJ
Published
1998-09
Volume
55
Issue
9
Pages
579-584
ISSN
  • 0007-1072 (ISSN-L)
  • 1351-0711
  • 1470-7926
DOI
10.1136/oem.55.9.579
PMC
PMC1757636
OpenAlex
W2047444234
Cited by
329
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 9
FWCI
7.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Occupational and Environmental Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Infection Control and Ventilation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Fungal Infections and Studies
Keywords
sick building syndrome, indoor air quality, fungi, fungal propagules, Penicillium, Stachybotrys atra, Cladosporium, schools, indoor air pollution, remedial measures
MeSH terms
Air Microbiology, Air Pollutants, Carbon Dioxide, Child, Child, Preschool, Fungi, Humans, Penicillium, Respiration Disorders, Schools, Stachybotrys, Sick Building Syndrome

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