The health effects and distributions of various outdoor biological particles in Taiwan have not been fully investigated. Whether foreign biological microorganisms will be introduced to Taiwan during China dust storm period is of special concern. In this study, we monitored outdoor bioaerosol levels before, during and after each dust storm period at the EPA designated sampling locations. In addition, we measured bioaerosol levels monthly at each sampling location in order to establish baseline data in the Taipei area. We measured culturable fungi and fungal spores simultaneously to gather complete information on fungal genera and overall fungal levels, respectively. We found that Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Chaetomium, and Yeast had higher levels during dust storm period. A few rare fungi, including Botrysporium、Rhinocladiella、Trichothecium, were only recovered during dust storm periods. Although fungal spore levels did not increase during dust period, its positive association with PM2.5 suggested the possibility of dust storm sands as a carrier of fungi. Based on our monthly sampling, we established baseline data of fungal distributions and major taxa in the Taipei are. The most prevalent fungi include Non-sporulating Fungi, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Curvularia, Fusarium, Alternaria, Botrytis, Arthrinium, and Coelomycetes. Fungal levels were associated with a variety of air pollutants and meteorological factors. The magnitudes of China dust storms in this year were not as intense as previously. However, we still found statistically significant increases of certain fungi, indicating the possibility of foreign microorganisms carried by dust storms. Environmental monitoring and exposure assessment should be conducted to further evaluate the effects of dust storm on public health and on ecology in Taiwan.

Dust storm,Outdoor air quality,Atmospheric fungi