Measurements of biological contaminants and particulate matter inside a dwelling in Japan.
To investigate the biological contaminant levels inside dwellings in Japan, the authors measured fungal indices, airborne mite allergens (Der 1 and Der 2), and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Measurements were continuously conducted at one dwelling located in Yokosuka-city, Kanagawa. The biosensors for fungal index were set at 12 points inside and 2 points outside the dwelling. An SPM sampler was placed in the living room, and samplers for collecting allergens were placed in the living room and in the washroom. The peak level of the fungal index was recorded during July, which is the rainy season in Japan. The highest value in the dwelling was 6.9 in the toilet, and the second highest was 6.6 near a window in the living room that faces southeast, and behind the sofa. The highest monthly SPM level was 21.5 micrograms/m3 during October, and the highest monthly allergen level (Der 1) in the living room was 25.7 pg/m3 during November. A positive relationship between the fungal index and mite allergens was not observed, and the levels of contaminants were not as those found in other studies. However, further study to investigate the distribution of biological contaminants is needed because indoor temperature and relative humidity are comparatively high.
Nakai
S
S
Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Yokohama National University, Japan. nakai@kan.ynu.ac.jp
Nitta
H
H
Ono
M
M
Abe
K
K
Sakaguchi
M
M
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006798:Housing; D007564:Japan; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens