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An EPA pilot study characterizing fungal and bacterial populations at homes after flooding events at the Caño Martin Peña Communities (CMP)
Citation:
Betancourt, D., T. Dean, E. Huertas, B. Bolanos, F. Godoy, AND L. Acevedo-Marquez. An EPA pilot study characterizing fungal and bacterial populations at homes after flooding events at the Caño Martin Peña Communities (CMP). Meeting with Cano Martin Pena Community - Virtual Meeting, San Juan, N/A, PUERTO RICO, February 18, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall objective of this study was to characterize fungal and bacterial populations in the CMP residences in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following flooding events. These profiles were generated by comparing the fungal and bacterial populations in two groups of residences: homes with flooding events and non-flooded homes. Dust and air samples from indoors and outdoors were collected at all homes participating in the study. The characterization of fungal and bacterial populations from the dust and air samples were done using culture-independent molecular technologies and conventional volumetric microbiological methods.
Description:
In the “EPA pilot study characterizing fungal and bacterial populations at homes after flooding events at the Martin Peña Channel Community” fungal and bacterial population profiles comparing residences in zones susceptible to flood vs residences in non-flooded zones was generated. In each residence, dust samples were taken in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room. These profiles were generated by extracting DNA from dust samples and were analyzed by culture-independent molecular technologies. Results of the fungal profiles showed that regardless of the flood status or room in the residences, the predominant fungal phyla were the same – Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. However, the data showed some differences at the fungal Order and species levels - the predominant fungal Order at flooded-prone sectors residences was Polyporales. Trametes spp and Aspergillus spp were more predominant at the non-flooded prone sectors. Results of the bacterial profiles showed that regardless of the flood status or room type, the predominant bacterial phyla were the same - Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The data at residences in zones susceptible to flood vs residences in non-flooded zones sectors could be used as remediation end-points and in future studies will be applied in the analysis of low-cost remediation protocols recommended by the EPA for the improvement of the indoor environment in homes after flooding events.