A Three‐Year‐Survey of Microfungi in the Air of Copenhagen 1977–79

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Abstract
The presence and prevalence of common saprophytic airborne microfungi was studied. Since Aug. 1977 culturable microfungi in the outdoor air of Copenhagen were monitored. The method used is a volumetric analysis by means of a Biap Slit-Sampler. The microfungal flora was dominated by very few genera. Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium and Aspergillus make up 86.8% of the organisms collected. The mere number of microfungal spores might be misleading as a guide to the relative importance of atmospheric allergens. An alternative or a supplementary parameter could be the spore substance expressed as cubic spore substance/m3 of air, as suggested by Hyde. Most fungi show a seasonal dependence and fluctuations from year to year. The high season for living microfungi is from June-Oct. The microfungi constitute a prolongation of the pollen season, a fact of importance in relation to patients suffering from inhalation-allergy.