VARIATIONS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNGAL SPORES IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF BAKEHOUSES - IMPACT ON THE STUDY OF ALLERGIES

Fungal spores are suspected of being responsible for the allergy of ba kers and pastry makers. In the same town, and for 14 bakeries, a surve y has been carried out of the species of filamentous fungi found in th e atmosphere of the bakehouses and in the flour used. Results show con siderable quantitative and qualitative variations in the mycoflora. Th e genus Cladosporium, considered as extremely allergy provoking, could play an important role. The layout of the sites and congestion due to intense activity strongly favour the dispersion of spores in the surr ounding atmosphere and at the same time increase the risk of allergy.