Indoor biological particles in a train: comparative analysis with outdoor atmosphere

Biological pollution directly affects our health and quality of life. In urban areas, people spend most time in indoor environments including means of transports where can be exposed to pollution sick building syndrome. Despite the importance of this issue, studies on the biological particles exposure in indoor transports are scarce and poorly documented. This study characterizes by using volumetric Hirst traps of the indoor pollen and fungal spore content of the indoor air of a daily crowed train connecting Córdoba city (South Spain) with the university campus. Results were compared with outdoor concentrations sampled at the same time. Twenty-three pollen types were identified indoor and 20 outdoor. Quercus, Olea, Platanus, Morus and Cupressus were the most abundant. Thirteen fungal spore types were identified by both indoor and outdoor samplings. Our results pointed out Cladosporium cladosporoides, Cladosporium herbarum, Coprinus, Alternaria and Torula as the most abundant ones. Outdoor levels of both particles were higher; nevertheless, occasionally indoor concentrations overcame indoor ones, overall pollen records at days after rainfall periods. Even pollen season of some taxa (i.e. Platanus, Urticaceae ) extended inside lasting more days than outside. Results indicate as the closed transport can act as biological pollution reservoir which could have consequences on the incidence of passengers’ health.