August 23, 1996

"APPLICATIONS OF MICROSCOPY IN EVERYDAY LIFE: Fungi in the Home"
Marie Lienhop
Pollen and Mold Specialist
Allergen Home Assessment, Inc.
St. Charles, Missouri.

Interest in measuring the levels and types of fungi in air is increasing. Microscopic particles, specifically pollen and mold, are suspected contributors to several of the respiratory illnesses being reported today. Data on pollen prevalence has been accumulating for several years throughout the world. However, the enumeration and quantitation of fungi have been historically much more limited in scope; and fungi do not lend themselves to microscopic identification as easily as pollen does. Ms. Lienhop will address these issues as well as spore traps and the limitations associated with short-term sampling.