Journal Top Ten - March 2003

photo-11photo-12

1 ARTICLE: "The Presence of Fungi Associated with Sick Building Syndrome in North American Zoological Institutions"

SUMMARY: In order to investigate whether the presence of fungi associated with sick building syndrome is a factor in declining breeding rates and/or increases in morbidity and mortality in zoological institutions, the authors conducted a microbial investigation of 110 exhibits and night-time holding facilities within five institutions. They found high levels of airborne Penicillium chrysogenum, a fungal species associated with poor indoor air quality, in 16 of the 110 sites. They also found five culturable growth sites of …