title: Size distribution of airborne fungi in vehicles under various driving conditions.
abstract: Circulation or air conditioning (AC) system was proven to improve the air quality inside the vehicles; however, the quantified study was limited. In this study, fungal concentration under various driving mode inside the vehicle was proposed. The driving conditions were classified into 4 states: (1) window closed without AC and circulation, (2) window open without AC and circulation, (3) window closed with only circulation on, and (4) window closed with only AC on. Results show that at state 4, the mean respirable fraction was 83.3%, with a number median diameter of the fungi being 1.73 μm. More attention should be paid for these smaller fungi easily penetrating into the alveoli and probably lead to allergic alveolitis. Turning on AC for reducing the normalized concentration for each size range of fungi was suggested; however, the respirable fraction increased. Those who are prone to allergies or asthma are suggested to switch between AC and the circulation mode while driving a long time.
authors: Department of Bioenvironmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan. yfwang@cycu.edu.tw
authors: Ya-Fen
authors: YF
authors: Wang
authors: Cheng-Hsien
authors: CH
authors: Tsai
authors: Yu-Tzu
authors: YT
authors: Huang
authors: How-Ran
authors: HR
authors: Chao
authors: Tsui-Chun
authors: TC
authors: Tsou
authors: Yi-Ming
authors: YM
authors: Kuo
authors: Lin-Chi
authors: LC
authors: Wang
authors: Lin-Chi
authors: LC
authors: Ang
authors: Shih-Hsuan
authors: SH
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D000389:Air Conditioning; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001336:Automobiles; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D010316:Particle Size; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols