Investigations on pollution by micromycete propagules of various premises at a fur enterprise were carried out in 1996–1998. Numbers of airborne fungi in the industrial premises and offices were determined; 123 fungal species, ascribed to 41 genera, were isolated and identified. Harmfulness of the isolated fungi for health of employees was discussed. It was defined that specific microclimatic conditions, such as increased relative air humidity, dustiness, and high temperatures, form during technological processes; they are regarded as favorable for the development of some fungal species. While improving hygienic conditions of the workplaces special attention should be paid to particular premises (a fur soaking off-tanning, a sorting, a cutting-assembling shops) where propagules of pathogenic fungi (Blastomyces dermatitidis, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Candida albicans) were detected. Fungi of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera prevailed in the air of the fur round-rolling shop. Rhizopus stolonifer, Rhizomucor pusillus, Aspergillus niger,A. candidus, Penicillium expansum, Cladosporium herbarum, Arthroderma unicinatum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Culvularia lunata, Alternaria alternata, and Phialophora bubakii, generally regarded as opportunistic pathogens, were detected in all investigated premises. High numbers of airborne fungi propagules were detected in the cutting-assembling, sewing, and fur round-rolling shops.
Keywords: airborne fungi, species, indoors, fur processing, pathogenic, allergens.