| 摘要: | 大氣中含有許多生物性成份，包括花粉、真菌孢子、細菌、病毒，或其他源自於生物體的碎片。暴露到戶外生物性微粒和過敏性呼吸道症狀、感染及氣喘症狀有關。雖然世界各地已積極地進行大氣生物性微粒的調查，但在台灣的相關研究並不多。因此本研究針對大氣中真菌孢子、常見戶外過敏原（Cladosporium herbarum、Aspergillus fumigatus及Alternaria alternata）以及細菌內毒素進行為期一年的監測調查，以建立大台北地區生物性微粒的基線資料，並評估與其他環境因子間的相關性。真菌孢子的採樣是利用Burkard連續性孢子採樣器，於2006年1-12月進行。不同粒徑（粗微粒及細微粒）真菌過敏原及內毒素的採樣則使用高流量採樣器，於2006年7、9、12月及2007年2月各進行兩個星期的連續監測。結果發現，研究期間總真菌孢子平均濃度為1,340 spores/m3，優勢菌種包括ascospores、Cladosporium、basidiospores、Curvularia、Aspergillus/Penicillium 、Fusarium 及 Alternaria。常見真菌濃度有明顯之季節變化。在多變項迴歸模式中發現，溫度是影響真菌孢子濃度最主要的環境因子，其他如風速、相對濕度、降雨及PM10等也和真菌孢子的濃度有顯著相關。粗微粒和細微粒中的Cladosporium herbarum過敏原的平均濃度分別為0.1571及0.0453 ng/m3，Aspergillus fumigatus過敏原的平均濃度分別為0.0005及0.0015 ng/m3，Alternaria alternata過敏原的平均濃度則分別為0.0034及0.0006 ng/m3。細菌內毒素在粗微粒及細微粒中的平均濃度分別為0.36 EU/m3（濃度範圍：0 ~ 0.98），以及0.18 EU/m3（濃度範圍：0 ~ 0.79）。過敏原及內毒素濃度亦與多種氣象因子間有相關性。
本研究提供台北都會區大氣中生物性微粒的基線資料，以及生物性微粒與氣象因子及空氣污染物間的相關性。由於生物性微粒與氣象及空氣污染因子間有複雜且重要的相關性，因此未來在進行健康風險評估時應同時納入考量，以釐清各因子的各別及共同作用。
Biological particulates are ubiquitous in ambient air, including pollens, fungal spores, bacteria, viruses, or any fragments originating from plants and animals. Exposure to outdoor biological particulates has been associated with infection, allergenic respiratory symptoms, and asthma exacerbation. Although many studies have been conducted worldwide to investigate the distributions and health effects of ambient biological particulates, relatively little has been done in Taiwan. Therefore, we conducted a one-year study to monitor fungal spores, common outdoor allergens (Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Alternaria alternata) and endotoxin in Taipei, Taiwan. Our main goals were to collect baseline data of these ambient biological particulates and to explore their interrelationships with other environmental factors.
We used a Burkard seven-day recording volumetric spore trap to collect ambient fungal spores from January to December 2006. We also used a high volume air sampler to collect ambient particulates for two weeks each in July, September, and December 2006, and in February 2007. The concentrations of fungal allergens and endotoxin in fine (<2.5?慆) and coarse (2.5-10 ?慆) particulates were analyzed. According to our results, the average fungal level was 1,340 spores/m3 during the study period, and the predominant fungal taxa were ascospores, Cladosporium, basidiospores, Curvularia, Aspergillus/Penicillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria. Most common fungi had significant seasonal variations. In regression analyses, we found that temperature was the most consistent factor correlated with fungal concentrations. Other environmental parameters, including wind speed, relative humidity, rainfall and PM10 (particulates with aerodynamic diameters ?T 10 ?慆), also had statistically significant relationships with fungal levels. The concentrations of fungal allergens in coarse and fine particles were 0.1571 and 0.0453 ng/m3 for Cladosporium herbarum, 0.0005 and 0.0015 ng/m3 for Aspergillus fumigatus, and 0.0034 and 0.0006 ng/m3 for Alternaria alternate, respectively. Average endotoxin levels in coarse and fine particles were 0.36 EU/m3 (Range: 0 ~ 0.98) and 0.18 EU/m3 (Range: 0 ~ 0.79). Fungal allergen and endotoxin concentrations were also correlated with several meteorological factors.
Our study provided the baseline data of ambient biological particles in Taipei metropolis and the relationships between outdoor biological particulates and air pollution/meteorological factors. Due to complex interactions among these environmental factors, future studies should evaluate the health impacts of biological particulates, meteorological factors and air pollutants individually and collectively. |
