Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Aerobiological study in the Mexico City subway system

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Aerobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Monitoring campaigns in two different seasons were carried out at two underground stations (Tacubaya and Azcapotzalco) of the subway of Mexico City, in order to assess airborne bacterial and fungi concentrations, as well as their relationship with several factors, such as depth of the station, sampling site, temperature, and relative humidity. Sixteen sampling sites were selected according to the depth of the lines and the transit of passengers in the corridors, concourses, and platforms. In addition, samples were also collected in the carriages when they were in movement. Outdoor samples were taken at the two stations for comparison. Two-stage multi-orifice cascade impactors were used to collect aerobiological particles, and with the aid of macroscopic and microscopic characterization were found 57 fungi and 61 bacteria colonies. Outdoor bacteria concentrations ranged from 1 to 68 CFU m−3, while fungi concentrations varied from 6 to 80 CFU m−3. The indoor concentration levels of bacteria and fungi ranged from 1 to 484 CFU m−3 and from 51 to 715 CFU m−3, respectively. Fungi and bacteria indoor concentrations in the subway were higher than outdoor, up to 8 times. Most of bacteria were identified as Gram-positive nonsporulating short bacillus, while the most abundant fungi genera identified were Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria in that order of frequency. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the stations and the lines of different depths, showing a greater microorganisms’ concentration with a greater depth. Although bacteria and fungi concentrations were higher in the spring than in winter, this difference was not significant. Even if indoor microbiological pollution in underground stations was higher than outdoor, the concentrations found in this study were lower than indoor air international standards.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarnio, P., Yli-Tuomi, T., Kousa, A., Makela, T., Hirsikko, A., Hammeri, K., et al. (2005). The concentrations and composition of and exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) in the Helsinki subway system. Atmospheric Environment, 39, 5059–5066.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adams, H. S., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., & Colvile, R. N. (2001). Determinants of fine particle (PM2.5) personal exposure levels in transport microenvironments, London, UK. Atmospheric Environment, 35, 4557–4566.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Awad, A. (2002). Environmental study in subway metro stations in Cairo, Egypt. Journal Occupational Health, 44, 112–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, H. L., & Barry, B. H. (2003). Illustrated genera of imperfect fungi. Edina: The American Phytopathological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogomolova, E., & Kirtsideli, I. (2009). Airborne fungi in four stations of the St. Petersburg underground railway system. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 63, 156–160.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Branis, M. (2006). The contribution of ambient sources to particulate pollution in spaces and trains of the Prague underground transport system. Atmospheric Environment, 40, 348–356.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cho, J. H., Min, K. H., & Paik, N. W. (2006). Temporal variation of airborne fungi concentrations and related factors in subway stations in Seoul, Korea. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 209, 249–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Douwes, J., Thorne, P., Pearce, N., & Heederik, D. (2003). Bioaerosol health effects and exposure assessment: Progress and prospects. Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 47, 187–200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dybwad, M., Granum, P. E., Bruheim, P., & Blatny, J. M. (2012). Underground subway station characterization of airborne bacteria at an underground subway station. Applied and Environment Microbiology, 78, 1917–1929.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez-Perales, J. E., Colvile, R. N., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., Fernandez-Bremauntz, A., Gutierrez-Avedoy, V. J., Paramo-Figueroa, V. H., et al. (2004). Commuters’ exposure to PM2.5, CO, and benzene in public transport in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Atmospheric Environment, 38, 1219–1229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hargreaves, M., Parappukkaran, S., & Morawska, L. (2003). A pilot investigation into associations between indoor airborne fungal and non-biological particles concentrations in residential houses in Brisbane, Australia. The Science of the Total Environment, 312, 89–101.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoseini, M., Jabbari, H., Naddafi, K., Nabizadeh, R., Yunesian, M., & Jaafari, J. (2012). Concentration and distribution characteristics of airborne fungi in indoor and outdoor air of Tehran subway stations. International Journal of Aerobiology,. doi:10.1007/S10453-012-9285-g.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, S. (2010). Assessment of airborne environmental bacteria and related factors in 25 underground railway stations in Seoul, Korea. Atmospheric Environment, 44, 1658–1662.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johansson, C., & Johansson, P. A. (2003). Particulate matter in the underground of Stockholm. Atmospheric Environment, 37, 3–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalogerakis, N., Paschali, D., Lekaditis, V., Pantidou, A., Eleftheriadis, K., & Lazaridis, M. (2005). Indoor air quality–bioaerosols measurements in domestic and office premises. Journal of Aerosol Science, 36, 751–761.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, K. Y., Kim, Y. S., Kim, D., & Kim, H. T. (2011). Exposure level and distribution characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi in Seoul metropolitan subway stations. Industrial Health, 49, 242–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurup, V., Shen, H., & Banerjee, B. (2000). Respiratory fungal allergy. Microbes and Infection, 2, 1101–1110.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. H., & Jo, W. K. (2005). Exposure to airborne fungi and bacteria while commuting in passenger cars and public buses. Atmospheric Environment, 39(38), 7342–7350.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, L., Tin, S., & Kelley, S. (2007). Culture-independent analysis of bacterial diversity in a child-care facility. BMC Microbiology, 7, 27. doi:10.1186/1471-2180-7-27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKernan, L. T., Wallingford, K. M., Hein, M. J., Burge, H., Rogers, C. A., & Herrick, R. (2008). Monitoring microbial populations on wide-body commercial passenger aircraft. Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 52(2), 139–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mugica-Alvarez, V., Figueroa-Lara, J., Romero-Romo, M., Sepúlveda-Sánchez, J., & López-Moreno, T. (2012). Concentrations and properties of airborne particles in the Mexico City subway system. Atmospheric Environment, 49, 284–293.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J., Gomez-Perales, J. E., & Colvile, R. N. (2007). Levels of particulate air pollution, its elemental composition, determinants and health effects in metro systems. Atmospheric Environment, 41, 7995–8006.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • OSHA, Eagle Industrial Higiene Associates. (2004). Microbial sampling and analysis: Molds and bacteria, available at: http://www.eagleih.com/microbiology.html, visited on March 2011.

  • Pfeifer, G. D., Harrison, R. M., & Lynam, D. R. (1999). Personal exposure to airborne metals in London taxi drivers and office workers in 1995 and 1996. Science of the Total Environment, 235, 253–260.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Picco, A., & Rodolfi, M. (2000). Airborne fungi as biocontaminants at two Milan underground stations. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 45, 43–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosas, I., Yela, A., & Santos Burgoa, C. (1994). Ocurrence of airborne enteric bacteria in Mexico City. Aerobiología, 10, 39–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seino, K., Takano, T., Nakamura, K., & Watanabe, M. (2005). An evidential example of airborne bacteria in a crowded, underground public concourse in Tokyo. Atmospheric Environment, 39, 337–341.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srikanth, P., Sudharsanam, S., & Ralf, S. (2008). Bio-aerosols in indoor environment: Composition, health effects and analysis. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, 26, 302–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stark, P., Celedón, J., Chew, G., Ryan, L., Burge, H., Muilenberg, M., et al. (2005). Fungal levels in the home and allergic rhinitis by 5 years of age. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113(10), 1405–1409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • STCMAL. (2011). Sistema de trasporte colectivo metro, afluencia por línea 2011. [online], [consulted: May 2011], available at: http://www.metro.df.gob.mx/operacion/afluencia.html.

  • Stryjakowska-Sekulska, A., Piotraszewska-Pająk, A., Szyszka, A., Nowicki, M., & Filipiak, M. (2007). Microbiological quality of indoor air in university rooms. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 16(4), 623–632.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, R. J., Webber, D., Sellors, W., Collinge, A., Frost, A., Stagg, A. J., et al. (2008). Characterization and deposition of respirable large- and small-particle bioaerosols. Applied and Environment Microbiology, 74, 6437–6443.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ulloa, M., & Hanlin, T. (1991). Diccionario ilustrado de micología. Distrito Federal, Mexico: American Phythological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y. F. (2011). Seasonal difference of airborne bacteria and fungi in commuter buses. Environmental Engineering Science, 28(6), 461–467.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wonder Makers Environmental Inc (2001). Information series post-remediation guidelines www.wondermakers.com. Wonder Makers Environmental Inc. 147.

  • Yassin, M. F., & Almouqatea, S. (2010). Assessment of airborne bacteria and fungi in an indoor and outdoor environment. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 7(3), 535–544. doi:10.1007/BF03326162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the facilities provided by the authorities and staff for costumers’ attention of the Transporte Colectivo Metro in Distrito Federal during the sampling campaigns.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco, Av. San Pablo 180, Col. Reynoza-Tamaulipas, 02200, Mexico D.F., Mexico

    O. Hernández-Castillo, V. Mugica-Álvarez, M. T. Castañeda-Briones, J. M. Murcia, F. García-Franco & Y. Falcón Briseño

Authors
  1. O. Hernández-Castillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. Mugica-Álvarez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. T. Castañeda-Briones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. M. Murcia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. García-Franco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Y. Falcón Briseño
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Mugica-Álvarez.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hernández-Castillo, O., Mugica-Álvarez, V., Castañeda-Briones, M.T. et al. Aerobiological study in the Mexico City subway system. Aerobiologia 30, 357–367 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-014-9334-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-014-9334-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation