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Microbial Ecology of Extreme Environments: Automobile Air Conditioning Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

R.B. Simmons ,
L.J. Rose ,
S.A. Crow  and
D.G. Ahearn
R.B. Simmons
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Center, Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
L.J. Rose
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Center, Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
S.A. Crow
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Center, Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
D.G. Ahearn
Affiliation:
Environmental Research Center, Dept. of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA30303
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Extract

Automobile air conditioning systems (ACS) might be considered an extreme environment for many microorganisms. Organisms surviving and proliferating in these systems may be presented with temperature changes ranging from subzero to over 140°F, water activity from saturation to dryness and a nutrient complexity including varying levels of hydrocarbons. Microbial communities develop in ACS and sometimes proliferate to the extent of massive colonization and production of objectionable odors.

In a few instances microorganisms emanating from ACS have been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other allergic reactions. Previously we demonstrated that foam insulation and glues, in particular, on ACS insulations were colonized by fungi such as Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. Such fungi often are implicated in colonization of similar substrates in buildings categorized with the sick building syndrome.

A total of 42 ACS from the United States, Europe and Central America have been examined by cabin air sampling culture swab, direct microscopy or a combination of these techniques.

Type
Microorganisms: The Good, The Bad, The Unusual
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 6 , Issue S2: Proceedings: Microscopy & Microanalysis 2000, Microscopy Society of America 58th Annual Meeting, Microbeam Analysis Society 34th Annual Meeting, Microscopical Society of Canada/Societe de Microscopie de Canada 27th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania August 13-17, 2000 , August 2000 , pp. 658 - 659
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America

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References

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