What are Environmental Fungi Extract from the introduction to
the PhD Thesis by Principle IAQ Assessor Dr Peter Kemp
Fungi
comprise approximately one quarter of the biomass of the planet
(Miller, 1992) and are the most frequently occurring airborne
micro-organisms in both indoor and outdoor environments (Mouilleseaux
& Squinazi, 1994; Levetin, 1995; Downs et al., 2001; Chao
et al., 2002). Environmental fungi are a distinct category because
they are the everyday fungi that we deal with. This is very distinct
from medical (clinical) mycology, which is concerned with a very
small range of fungi that are able to penetrate and survive inside
(and on) the human body.
Their ubiquity and their almost universal environmental impact
affect mankind in numerous ways (Jennings & Lysek, 1999).
In some cases fungi make themselves dramatically evident by causing
significant damage to buildings, such as the structural decay
of timber constructions (for e.g. dry-rot caused by Basidiomycetes)
(Jennings & Lysek, 1999). Yet, fungi are also used in many
beneficial ways including in bread making, brewing, and making
medicines and drugs.
Normally, our everyday exposure to airborne fungi in the outdoor
air presents little or no risk to our health. However, the airborne
fungi in the artificial environments of our buildings and dwellings
have an altered composition, which can create an environment with
the potential to greatly affect human health (Stetzenbach, 1997).
This has led to the understanding that fungi can be a major cause
of both illness and the severity of general symptoms, such as
sick building syndrome (SBS), which are related to the amount
of time spent indoors (Johanning, 1994; Lewis, 1994).
Fungi
comprise approximately one quarter of the biomass of the planet
(Miller, 1992) and are the most frequently occurring airborne
micro-organisms in both indoor and outdoor environments (Mouilleseaux
& Squinazi, 1994; Levetin, 1995; Downs et al., 2001; Chao
et al., 2002). Environmental fungi are a distinct category because
they are the everyday fungi that we deal with. This is very distinct
from medical (clinical) mycology, which is concerned with a very
small range of fungi that are able to penetrate and survive inside
(and on) the human body. 
