| Summary: | 碩士 === 臺北醫學大學 === 公共衛生學研究所 === 98 === Biological particulates (bio-particles) are ubiquitous in ambient air and their composition is complex, including fungal spores, pollens, microorganisms, and fragments, toxins and particulate wastes originating from various organisms. Ambient bio-particles may induce respiratory tract inflammation, cause allergic reactions, or exacerbate allergic diseases. Therefore, we conducted a longitudinal monitoring study in Shin-Jhuang and Taipei city to examine the characteristics and health impacts of ambient bio-particles.
In this study, we monitored ambient fungal spores, and the levels of a fungal allergen (Cla h 1) and endotoxin in fine (<2.5μm) and coarse (2.5-10μm) particulates. Fungal spores and fine/coarse particulates were collected using a Burkard seven-day recording volumetric spore trap and a high volume sampler, respectively. During the study period, fungal spores were sampled in the last week of every month, and particulates were monitored continuously for two weeks every season. According to the results, the average concentrations of fungal spores in Shin-Jhuang and Taipei city were 1725 spores/m3 and 1628 spores/m3, respectively. The predominant fungal taxa were Ascospores, Basidiospores, Cladosporium, and Aspergillus/Penicillium. In Shin-Jhuang, the average concentrations of Cla h 1 in coarse and fine particles were 0.17 ng/m3 and 0.06 ng/m3, respectively. In Taipei city, the average concentrations of Cla h 1 were 0.23 ng/m3 in coarse particles and 0.08 ng/m3 in fine particles. The mean levels of endotoxin in coarse and fine particles in Shin-Jhuang were 0.25EU/m3 and 0.14 EU/m3, respectively. The mean levels of endotoxin in Tiapei city were 0.15 EU/m3 and 0.12 EU/m3 in coarse and fine particles, respectively. According to statistical analyses, the levels of ambient fungi and endotoxin had significant relationships with various air pollutants (e.g., PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and NO) and meteorological factors (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall). In multiple regressions, we found that hospital visits for allergic diseases were related to several fungal spores (i.e., Torula, Cladosporium, Stemphylium, Nigrospora and Rusts) and environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and PM2.5).
This study provides important information on the characteristics and the determinants of ambient bio-particles in the Greater Taipei Area. We also found several fungal spores were positively related to hospital visits for allergic diseases. With increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in our country, our findings can provide essential information for the public to avoid allergen exposure and to improve their quality of lives.
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