| An indoor air quality study was conducted in 43 schools within the Capital Health Authority region in order to obtain baseline levels of airborne fungal contaminants. Samples were collected onto Rose Bengal agar in a total of 202 classrooms over fall 2001 and winter 2002 using a Reuter Centrifugal Sampler. The samples were analyzed by a mycologist at the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health for Northern Alberta (Edmonton). Fall indoor fungal counts ranged from non-detectable to 650 colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3), whereas in winter, indoor levels ranged from non-detectable to 160 CFU/m3. During both sampling rounds, classrooms in 14% of schools exceeded 1995 Health Canada guidelines for Penicillium of 50 CFU/m3. Upon subsequent investigation of these schools however, Penicillium levels were found to be below the guideline, and therefore not considered to be a persistent problem. Otherwise, the majority of rooms sampled met Health Canada guidelines. |
