Fast growing fungi: a problem to be solved to achieve characterization of occupational exposure to fungi in cork industry

factors affecting workers health. Implementation of measures aiming to limit its spread is therefore essential1. Although limit values for fungal air contamination have already been proposed, these values are not consensual also because of the lack of uniformity in the environmental monitoring procedures2 and laboratory methods among laboratories. Chrysonilia sitophila is a common mould in cork industry and has been identified as a cause of IgE sensitization and occupational asthma. This fungal species has a fast growth rate that may inhibit other species’ growth causing underestimated of data when characterizating occupational fungal exposure 3.