Stella M. Tsai1, M.Sc., Chin S. Yang, Ph.D., Patrick Moffett, Andrew Puccetti, Ph.D., C.I.H. P&K Microbiology Services, Inc., Cherry Hill, NJ

The collection efficiency of airborne fungal matter using the Andersen single-stage sampler and Zefon Air-O-Cell cassettes was compared in this study. A total of 814 sets of samples were collected. The correlation coefficient (r) between these two methods was at 0.33 (p < 0.05) for total fungal matter and at 0.29 (p < 0.05) for Cladosporium. The correlation coefficient (r) between the total fungal and Cladosporium concentrations collected from Andersen air samples and Air-O-Cell cassettes was at 0.78 (p < 0.05) and 0.62 (p < 0.05), respectively. Stachybotrys-like spores were detected in 74 Air-O-Cell samples. Stachybotrys chartarum was detected in 5 Andersen samples. Four sets of samples showed Stachybotrys chartarum on both Air-O-Cell and Andersen air samples.