BEIJING -- A Chinese study has found that potential pathogens within airborne microbes (AM) were related to different levels of urbanization, suggesting that urbanization may increase AM-associated human health risks.
The composition of AM can be affected by environmental factors and human activities. Few studies have been carried out on the AM and potential pathogens during the process of urbanization.
Researchers from the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, collected AM samples during spring and summer from 11 sites with various levels of urbanization in the city of Xiamen, Fujian Province.
Based on genetic sequencing, the researchers found that AM was more diversified in summer than in spring, and AM and potential pathogens varied in sites with different urbanization levels.
They said the abundance of potential human pathogens increased with urbanization levels, providing insights on AM's impact on human health.
The findings have been published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.
AM refer to biological airborne contaminants like bacteria, viruses or fungi, as well as airborne toxins passed from one victim to the next through the air.
By colonizing the skin, some AM can cause diseases like allergies, bacterial infections, and cardiovascular diseases. (Xinhua)
