Short communication: Influence of height, atmospheric conditions, and criteria pollutants on the airborne fungal load in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area

Parameters such as height, temperature, relative humidity and the presence of air criteria pollutants (particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb)) significantly influence the Colony Forming Units (CFU) for various airborne fungal strains. Categorized as biological contaminants, these fungi are known to induce various health issues. As urban centers continue to expand vertically, it becomes crucial to determine whether fungal loads decrease at higher altitudes, potentially offering safer environments at greater heights. To observe these fluctuations through a whole year, sampling was conducted at two different locations with different heights (146 m and 60 m) comparing them to ground-level fungal loads; abiotic data was measured in real time, while data on criteria pollutants was taken from the Sistema Integral de Monitoreo Ambiental (SIMA) stations. Distinct seasonal shifts in fungal genera were observed throughout the year, fungal loads at the 60 m and 146 m sites were 24.3% and 23.2% lower, respectively against surface level loads. Furthermore, the results indicate that high relative humidity correlates with increased CFU counts, whereas high concentrations of criteria air pollutants tend to suppress them.