Abstract

In developed countries, workers spend about 90% of their lives in an indoor environment. Research suggests that exposure to the moulds present in indoor air can lead to development of respiratory disorders. Microbial indicators have been suggested to link health problems to the presence of certain moulds, but there is no general consensus.

This research adapts known methods of DNA sequencing used in microbial taxonomy (classification of bacteria) to characterize the fungal diversity of air samples containing moulds, which cannot be done using traditional methods based on fungal culture. The air samples used are from composting and anaerobic digestion sites. The application of this new approach should eventually lead to a better understanding of the role of moulds in the development of occupational respiratory disorders.