The exposure to airborne dusts and microorganisms is associated with respiratory diseases and other health effects. Currently, research concerning fungal aerosol and particulate matter levels in animal enclosures of zoological gardens is very scarce. Such premises are characterized by numerous sources of air contamination, and they are both working environment and popular tourist attractions. This study aimed to assess the levels of fungal aerosol in animal premises (tapirs, giraffes, pygmy hippos, monkeys, meerkats, pheasants, ostriches, exotarium) of the Kraków Zoo. The bioaerosol samples were collected using a six-stage Andersen impactor to assess the concentrations and size distribution of airborne fungi. Particulate matter (PM 10 , PM 4 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 ) concentration was assessed using DustTrak Aerosol Monitor. PM concentrations were relatively low (0.048–0.204 mg/m 3 ) and did not exceed the limit values for occupational exposure. Also, the levels of fungal aerosol in almost all cases did not exceed the limit values. The smallest concentration of the total fungal aerosol was observed in the rooms for hippos (approx. 970 CFU/m 3 ) while the highest—in exotarium (16,800 CFU/m 3 ). The share of respirable fraction of bioaerosol was quite high—from 62.6% in monkey houses to 89.2% in exotarium. Having in mind that bioaerosol-forming fungi may contain allergenic species, attention should be paid to thorough cleaning of animals and their premises, and maintaining appropriate levels of microclimatic parameters in the rooms.

中文翻译：

---

某动物园动物场所真菌气溶胶的粒径分布及浓度

暴露于空气中的灰尘和微生物与呼吸系统疾病和其他健康影响有关。目前，关于动物园动物围栏内真菌气溶胶和颗粒物水平的研究非常缺乏。这些处所的特点是空气污染源众多，既是工作环境又是受欢迎的旅游景点。本研究旨在评估克拉科夫动物园动物场所（貘、长颈鹿、侏儒河马、猴子、猫鼬、野鸡、鸵鸟、外缘）中的真菌气溶胶水平。使用六级安德森撞击器收集生物气溶胶样品，以评估空气传播真菌的浓度和大小分布。使用 DustTrak 气溶胶监测器评估颗粒物（PM 10 、PM 4 、PM 2.5 和 PM 1 ）浓度。PM 浓度相对较低（0.048–0.204 mg/m 3 ）并且没有超过职业暴露的限值。此外，几乎所有情况下的真菌气溶胶水平都没有超过限值。在河马的房间中观察到的总真菌气溶胶浓度最低（约 970 CFU/m 3 ），而最高浓度在外壁（16,800 CFU/m 3 ）。生物气溶胶的可呼吸部分的份额相当高——从猴子屋的 62.6% 到外场的 89.2%。考虑到形成生物气溶胶的真菌可能含有致敏物种，应注意彻底清洁动物及其场所，并保持房间内适当的小气候参数水平。在几乎所有情况下，真菌气溶胶的水平都没有超过限值。在河马的房间中观察到的总真菌气溶胶浓度最低（约 970 CFU/m 3 ），而最高浓度在外壁（16,800 CFU/m 3 ）。生物气溶胶的可呼吸部分的份额相当高——从猴子屋的 62.6% 到外场的 89.2%。考虑到形成生物气溶胶的真菌可能含有致敏物种，应注意彻底清洁动物及其场所，并保持房间内适当的小气候参数水平。在几乎所有情况下，真菌气溶胶的水平都没有超过限值。在河马的房间中观察到的总真菌气溶胶浓度最低（约 970 CFU/m 3 ），而最高浓度在外壁（16,800 CFU/m 3 ）。生物气溶胶的可呼吸部分的份额相当高——从猴子屋的 62.6% 到外场的 89.2%。考虑到形成生物气溶胶的真菌可能含有致敏物种，应注意彻底清洁动物及其场所，并保持房间内适当的小气候参数水平。生物气溶胶的可呼吸部分的份额相当高——从猴子屋的 62.6% 到外场的 89.2%。考虑到形成生物气溶胶的真菌可能含有致敏物种，应注意彻底清洁动物及其场所，并保持房间内适当的小气候参数水平。生物气溶胶的可呼吸部分的份额相当高——从猴子屋的 62.6% 到外场的 89.2%。考虑到形成生物气溶胶的真菌可能含有致敏物种，应注意彻底清洁动物及其场所，并保持房间内适当的小气候参数水平。