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KMID : 1039220170270040324
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Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
2017 Volume.27 No. 4 p.324 ~ p.332
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Development of DNA-Based Assessment Method for Mold in Floor Dust of Dwellings in Korea
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Lee Jeong-Sub
Kim Sung-Yeon
Ryu Jung-Min
Hwang Eun-Seol
Lee Ju-Yeong
Kwon Myung-Hee
Chung Hyen-Mi
Seo Sung-Chul
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Abstract
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Objectives: Much scientific evidence indicate a positive association between moldy environments and respiratory illnesses and/or symptoms. However, few comprehensive assessments of mold have been performed for such settings. Spore counts or microscopic enumeration only may not be sufficient for evaluating fungal exposure. Recently, Mold Specific QPCR technology developed by the US EPA (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, ERMI) has been widely used worldwide and great performance for assessing fungal exposure has been shown.
Methods: We aimed to develop a Korean version of ERMI suitable for the distribution of fungal flora in Korea. Thirty dwellings in the Seoul and Incheon area were selected for sampling, and each was classified as ‘Flooded, ‘Water-damaged’ or ‘Non-water-damaged’.
Results: Dust on the floor and airborne sampling were collected using an MAS100 and a ‘Dustream’ collector. Samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(QPCR) for the 36 molds belonging to ERMI. Student t-test and ANOVA tests were carried out using SAS software. The median ERMI values of flooded, water damaged, and non-water damaged dwellings were 8.24(range: -5.6 to 27.9), 5.47(-25. 4 to 32.7), and -15.30(-24.6 to 14.8), respectively. Significant differences were observed between flooded and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.001) and between water-damaged and non-water damaged dwellings (P=0.032).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that ERMI values attributed to dust samples in Korea could be applicable for the identification of flooded or water damaged buildings. However, much data is needed for continuously developing the Korean version of ERMI values.
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KEYWORD
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Mold, fungi, water-damaged, ERMI environmental relative moldiness index, US EPA environmental protection agency
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