Molds are common contaminants in indoor environments. Health effects associated with these microscopic fungi are multiple, including irritations, allergic reactions, infections and toxicity. Depending on the exposure level and the vulnerability of the populations, fungi may represent different public health risks. For example, damp and moldy dwellings are associated with chronic, respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, the lack of valid tools for accurately measuring the environmental fungal exposure is one of the main challenges to better understanding the role of fungal products and particles in human health. In this thesis, diverse sampling techniques and analytical methods were evaluated for measuring the fungal contamination in the air, on surfaces and in settled dust. A quantitative PCR-based index was notably tested and compared with other approaches to assess fungal exposure in dwellings. By collecting and analyzing settled floor dust, this index successfully distinguished between contaminated and non-contaminated homes in Brittany, France. Quantitative PCR and this index are promising techniques for fungal exposure assessment in indoor environments. Further validation of these methods may lead to disease prevention approaches, particularly for vulnerable populations.
