CHARACTERISTICS OF AIRBORNE MICROFUNGI IN SUBTROPICAL HOMES

Because of high relative humidity (60-90%) and mild temperature (15-37 degrees C) all year round, fungi grow more quickly and easily in Taiw an, a subtropical country. Field evaluations of airborne fungi indoors and outdoors in two major types of cities (Taipei and Tai-Chi) in Tai wan were conducted during the fungus concentration peak season. Two-st age Andersen culture plate impactors were used to determine the number concentrations, genus and respirable fraction of indoor and outdoor f ungi. The geometric mean concentrations of indoor and outdoor fungi in these two areas were found to be > 1000 colony forming units (CFU) m( -3). In addition, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and yeast wer e observed to be dominant and their number concentrations in some home s exceeded 1000 CFU m(-3). Moreover, the indoor and outdoor concentrat ions of the abundant fungi were found to be moderately correlated.