Syafrina Sari Lubis, Mehram Maina

CHARACTERISTICS AND CONCENTRATION OF AIRBORNE FUNGI IN PUBLIC BUS TRANSPORTATION IN BANDA ACEH CITY, ACEH PROVINCE

Introduction

Characteristics and concentration of airborne fungi in public bus transportation in banda aceh city, aceh province. Analyze airborne fungi in Banda Aceh public buses. Discover concentrations, types (Aspergillus, Penicillium), health impacts, and compliance with WHO indoor air quality standards.

Abstract

Airborne fungi are one of the common pollutants that spread through the air and frequently found in public bus transportation. Their transmission of airborne fungi can have an impact on health and is considered an important public health problem. The presence of airborne fungi can cause various respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchopulmonary infections, rhinitis and other allergic symptoms. The concentration of airborne fungi in buses has a significant correlation between the level of fungi and the number of passengers. High concentrations of fungi in transportation can affect human health. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of airborne fungi in buses and the types of fungi in the air on buses that had just arrived and those that were about to depart for Medan. The sampling method used for collecting airborne fungi is the probability sampling technique, especially by using the random sampling technique and the open plate technique which is left open for 15 minutes while measuring physical factors such as temperature, humidity, light intensity and number of passengers. Samples were taken from 3 buses X, Y and Z found on public transportation buses. The results of this study obtained the concentration of fungi in the air on buses that had just arrived and those that were leaving for Medan reaching 105, 9 CFU/m3 on bus X, 70, 6 CFU/m3 and 141, 2 CFU/m3 on bus Y, and 46, 9 CFU/m3 and 151, 8 CFU/m3 on bus Z, meaning that these values ​​do not exceed the indoor air quality standards set by WHO of < 500 CFU/m3. The types of airborne fungi on buses X, Y and Z are Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, Penicillium sp., Clasdoporium sp., C. clasporioides, dan Acremonium sp.

Review

This study addresses a highly relevant public health issue by investigating the characteristics and concentrations of airborne fungi in public bus transportation within Banda Aceh City. Given the enclosed nature of public transport and the potential for high passenger turnover, such environments are critical for assessing airborne pathogen transmission. The abstract clearly states the study's objective to determine both the concentration and specific types of airborne fungi present in buses, distinguishing between vehicles that have just arrived and those preparing for departure, thereby offering insights into the dynamics of fungal loads in these settings. The potential health impacts, ranging from respiratory diseases to allergic symptoms, underscore the importance of this research. The methodology employed for sampling airborne fungi utilized a probability sampling technique, specifically random sampling, in conjunction with the open plate method for 15 minutes. The researchers also measured crucial physical parameters including temperature, humidity, light intensity, and passenger count, which are valuable contextual factors for fungal growth and dispersion. Samples were collected from three distinct buses (X, Y, and Z). The findings revealed varying fungal concentrations: Bus X recorded 105.9 CFU/m3, while Bus Y had measurements of 70.6 and 141.2 CFU/m3, and Bus Z showed 46.9 and 151.8 CFU/m3. Crucially, all reported concentrations were found to be below the WHO indoor air quality standard of < 500 CFU/m3. Furthermore, the study successfully identified a range of fungal species, including common genera such as *Alternaria sp.*, *Aspergillus sp.* (with specific species like *A. niger*, *A. flavus*, *A. fumigatus*), *Penicillium sp.*, *Cladosporium sp.* (*C. cladosporioides*), and *Acremonium sp.* The study's strengths lie in its focused approach on a specific public health concern within a high-traffic environment and the identification of specific fungal genera, which is vital for understanding potential health risks. The inclusion of physical factor measurements adds depth to the analysis. However, the abstract's presentation of the concentration results could benefit from clearer pairing of "arrived" and "departing" values for each bus to enhance interpretability. While a correlation between fungi concentration and passenger numbers is mentioned, the abstract does not elaborate on this finding, which would be a significant contribution if quantitatively demonstrated. Future research could expand on the temporal dynamics of fungal loads during actual journeys, investigate the viability and pathogenicity of the identified species, and explore interventions for reducing airborne fungal concentrations in public transport. Overall, this study provides valuable baseline data for air quality management in public transportation in Banda Aceh.

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