Vehicle Indoor Air pollution with Fungi Generated by Air Conditioning Systems (AC) and Treatment by Using Aqueous Extracts Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)

Abstract

Vehicle Air Conditioning (AC) systems are used in countries that suffer high temperature degrees during the summer season, one of these countries is Iraq. Most passengers suffer manifestations which may lead to Allergic or Respiratory diseases as they inhale polluted air produced by AC systems.
In this study 10 vehicle were selected randomly on the basis of noxious odors emitted from AC systems. Indoor air samples were collected by using impaction method and using Sabouraud's dextrose agar to grow and isolate dominant fungi species accompanied with AC polluted air. Dust particle diameters aggregated in AC filters were measured because the particles work as transporters to carry fungi then get inhaled by the passengers. After isolating and identifying air fungi, frequency, occurrences percentage calculated. The Ganoderma lucidum extract was used as inhibitor agent and antifungal growth by using different concentrations: (10, 15, 20, 25) mg/ml. The results showed that the dominant species air fungi related to AC systems are: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium and Rhizopus . The highest occurrences percent 80%, and highest frequency percent 33.3% was recorded to Aspergillus niger ,while the lowest occurrences percent 30%, and lowest frequency percent 12.5% was records to Rhizopus . Microscopic examination for dust particles showed that the particles size ranged between (1 μm to 10 μm), and the highest distribution percentage was 43% for particles of less than 5μm in size which are respirable and can cause allergic and respiratory diseases .The Ganoderma lucidum in concentration of 25mg/ml have highly inhibition zone than other concentrations .