In this study, indoor air quality was assessed in a store belonging to one of Portugal's largest commercial retail groups. A variety of methodologies were used, including gravimetric analysis for particulate matter (PM), optical monitors for real-time PM measurements, gas sensors and analyzers for CO2 and other gaseous pollutants, diffusion tubes for VOCs, and passive deposition for microorganisms. The average ...
School environments are potential exposure scenarios to bioaerosols. Breading such contaminants can contribute to the development of respiratory infection. Most studies performed in schools regarding air quality focus on children’s health, neglecting the personal exposure of teachers and school staff. This study aims to provide a first insight into the personal exposure of teachers and school staff to bacteria ...
Poultry production intensification might influence microbial development. Concerning fungal assessment, despite the limited number of studies, several fungi have already been found in poultry pavilions. Occupational health specialists frequently overlook worker safety and biological risk assessment due to a lack of systematic knowledge regarding the agents involved. Consequently, workers, exposed to organic dus...
Azole fungicides are commonly used in sawmills to protect wood against the wood-destroying basidiomycete fungi. Azole-resistant Aspergillus section Fumigati has previously been identified in these environments. Here we aimed to establish a sampling protocol to efficiently isolate Aspergillus section Fumigati in woodworking environments. The sampling campaign was conducted between December 2022 and November 2023...
This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of indoor and outdoor air quality within a home improvement and gardening store chain in northeastern Portugal. In December 2021 and January 2022, two multipollutant systems were installed in the store and outdoors to assess air quality. Continuous monitoring included particulate matter below 10 µm (PM10), CO2, and comfort parameters. PM10 samples were collected us...
This exploratory pilot study examines the potential impact of indoor environmental exposures on sleep quality, with a particular focus on a comprehensive characterization of indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters and their association with sleep architecture assessed through polysomnography. The study was conducted during the cold seasons of 2016 and 2017 with a small sample of 10 subjects from the urban area of L...
Introduction: Wood industry workers face health risks due to exposure to microorganisms and their metabolites. This study aimed to characterize seasonal microbial contamination, antifungal resistance, mycotoxins, cytotoxicity, and particulate matter in Portuguese carpentries, to reduce exposure and promote safe working conditions. Methods: Conducted in six carpentries in Lisbon, Portugal, the sampling strategy ...
We are surrounded, in both indoor and outdoor environments, by air containing particles of biological origin (bioaerosols). We constantly inhale them, and, depending upon their size, they deposit in different parts of our airways. Despite their ubiquitous nature and our constant exposure, bioaerosol diversity and composition of the environment are not well characterized, and we understand little about which bio...
Several studies have reported the incidence of fungi and mycotoxins in coffee beans; however, there are few reports related to occupational exposure to these agents at coffee dry milling industries. This review aimed to identify and analyze studies assessing occupational exposure to fungi and mycotoxins in coffee industries. Therefore, a systematic literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting I...
In this study, indoor air quality was assessed in a store belonging to one of Portugal’s largest commercial retail groups. A variety of methodologies was used, including gravimetric analysis for particulate matter (PM), optical monitors for real-time PM measurements, gas sensors and analysers for CO2 and other gaseous pollutants, diffusion tubes for VOCs, and passive deposition for microorganisms. The average P...