Fungal Contamination of Sandpits from Recreational Parks and Schools: a Potential Risk for Human Health

Sandpits used by children are frequently visited by wild life which constitutes a source of fungal pathogens and allergenic fungi. This study aimed to take an unannounced snapshot of the urban levels of fungal contaminants in sands, using for this purpose two public recreational parks, three elementary schools and two kindergartens. All samples were from Lisbon and neighboring municipalities and were tested for fungi of clinical interest. Potentially pathogenic fungi were isolated from all samples besides one. Fusarium dimerum (32.4%) was found to be the dominant species in one park and Chrysonilia spp. in the other (46.6%). Fourteen different species and genera were detected and no dermatophytes were found. Of a total of 14 species and genera, the fungi most isolated from the samples of the elementary schools were Penicillium spp. (74%), Cladophialophora spp. (38%) and Cladosporium spp. (90%). Five dominant species and genera were isolated from the kindergartens. Penicillium spp. was the only genus isolated in one, though with remarkably high counts (32500 colony forming units per gram). In the other kindergarten Penicillium spp. were also the most abundant species, occupying 69% of all the fungi found. All of the samples exceeded the Maximum Recommended Value (MRV) for beach sand defined by Brandão et al. 2011, which are currently the only quantitative guidelines available for the same matrix. The fungi found confirm the potential risk of exposure of children to keratinophilic fungi and demonstrates that regular cleaning or replacing of sand needs to be implemented in order to minimize contamination.

Toward equal educational opportunity : affirmative admissions programs at law and medical schools.

Includes bibliographical references.

A manual of Scripture history, for use in Jewish schools and families,

Mode of access: Internet.

Girl holding treat for rabbit / McKenzie Hosp. Schools

side 2

The Bedford schools and charities of Sir William Harper : history of this celebrated endowment, the Act of Parliament and scheme of rules for its management, and a memoir of Sir William Harper /

Includes index.

Taylor's sacred minstrel, or, American church music book : a new collection of psalm and hymn tunes adapted to the various metres now in use : together with anthems, sentences, chants and other pieces : for the use of choirs, congregations, singing schools, musical societies, social sacred music circles, and private devotion ... /

Mode of access: Internet.

Latin-American universities and special schools /

Includes index.

Successful methods of teaching English to bilingual children in Seattle public schools,

"This pamphlet reports the findings of one of the investigations undertaken during 1936-37 under the Project in Research in Universities of the Office of Education ... The project was financed under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935 and conducted in accordance with administrative regulations of the Works Progress Administration." -Foreword.

Desegregation of the nation's public schools : a status report.

Includes bibliographical references.

Human relations : a guide for leadership training in the public schools : summary report on a project with the Syracuse, New York, school system.

Cover title.

The Puerto Rican study, 1953-1957; a report on the education and adjustment of Puerto Rican pupils in the public schools of the city of New York

Mode of access: Internet.

Information on the Asbestos in Schools Abatement Act (ASHAA).

Mode of access: Internet.

1993-94 schools and staffing survey : sample design and estimation /

"NCES 96-089."

NAEP 1996 mathematics state report for Department of Defense dependents schools /

"NCES 97-974 DoDDS"--P. [4] of cover.