Autor(es):
Cervantes, Renata ; Pena, Pedro ; Riesenberger, Bruna ; Rodriguez, Margarida ; Henderson, Drew ; Gonçalves, Sara ; Newire, Enas ; Pogner, Clara ; Salonen, Heidi ; Almeida Silva, Marina ; Ferguson, Robert M.W. ; Haverinen-Shaughnessy, Ulla ; Viegas, Carla
Data: 2025
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/186042
Origem: Repositório Institucional da UNL
Assunto(s): exposure assessment; Fungi; IAQ; schools; target fungal pathogens; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Descrição
Funding Information: The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, (doi: 10.54499/2023.01366.BD ) and Instituto Polit\u00E9cnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; projects IPL/IDI&CA2024/WWTPSValor_ESTeSL and IPL/IDI&CA2024/MycoSOS_ESTeSL. This work was also supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard award Round 7 (SBF007\\100130). Funded by the European Union (grant agreement: 101056883). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. InChildHealth is also receiving funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI grant agreement 22.00324), from the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI grant agreement 10040524), and from the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC grant agreements APP2017786 and APP2008813). Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2025 Cervantes, Pena, Riesenberger, Rodriguez, Henderson, Gonçalves, Newire, Pogner, Salonen, Almeida Silva, Ferguson, Haverinen-Shaughnessy and Viegas.
This review addresses the increasing problem of fungal contamination in schools, which has a profound impact on indoor air quality and student health. Fungal contamination creates health problems such as respiratory problems, allergies, which can be particularly harmful in schools (e.g., Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium sp. are especially important as they are a well-known indoor allergens and can induce serious respiratory diseases). The aim of this study is to determine the effect of geographic location as well as season of filamentous fungi in school context. Through a comprehensive screening of 6,659 articles, 47 studies were selected for data extraction, detailing sampling techniques, analysis methods, climatic conditions, and relevant fungal species. The study highlights the importance of regularly measuring IAQ and utilizing both active and passive sampling methodologies in addition to molecular genetic analysis to complement identification and improve comparability across studies. A targeted monitoring is also proposed for species such as Aspergillus fumigatus (Aspergillus section Fumigati), Fusarium sp., and Mucorales order, which are therapeutically relevant, as well as Stachybotrys atra and Aspergillus section Flavi, in terms of their toxicological potential. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of consistent data formatting for effective meta-analysis and the need for further research to inform regulatory frameworks protecting student health. Recommendations for minimizing fungal threats include evaluating building structure, ventilation, cleaning practices, and gathering information from parents about school activities. Overall, the study underscores the global health risks posed by fungi in schools and calls for extensive investigations combining various sampling and analytical techniques. Additionally, the article discusses the importance of consistent data formatting for effective meta-analysis and the need for further research to inform regulatory frameworks protecting student health. Recommendations for minimizing fungal threats include evaluating building structure, ventilation, cleaning practices, and gathering information from parents about school activities. Overall, the study underscores the global health risks posed by fungi in schools and calls for extensive investigations combining various sampling and analytical techniques.
