The increasing concern, with bioaerosols in large office buildings prompted
this prospective study of airborne fungal concentrations in a newly constr
ucted building on the Gulf coast. We collected volumetric culture plate air
samples on 14 occasions over the 18-month period immediately following bui
lding occupancy. On each sampling occasion, we collected duplicate samples
from three sites on three floors nf this six-story building and an outdoor
sample. Fungal concentrations indoors were consistently below those outdoor
s, and no sample clearly indicated fungal contamination in the building, al
though visible growth appeared in the ventilation system during the course
of the study. We conclude that modern mechanically ventilated buildings pre
vent the intrusion of most of the outdoor fungal aerosol, and that even rel
atively extensive air sampling protocols may not sufficiently document the
microbial status of buildings.