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Endotoxins: An indoor air andsettled dust survey.

J. Dobranic, Ph.D.* & S. Cappuccio, B.Sc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc.www.emsl.com

Tel: 800-220-3675

Email: jdobranic@emsl.com

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Introduction

Evaluate and compare fungal contamination

in air and surface samples with endotoxin in

accumulated dust.

Dust may represent cumulative exposure to

endotoxin.

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Endotoxin

Pyrogenic, cell wall component

(lipopolysaccharide) of Gram-negative

bacteria. Heat-stable

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Endotoxin

Elevated airborne concentrations areprevalent in sewage treatment plants

swine operations cotton textile mills

poultry houses

water damagedbuildings

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Health Effects

Produces airway inflammation (wheezing)

Associated with increased severity of child

and adult asthma

Exposure during childhood may reduce

allergic responses later in life

Cause of Humidifier Fever

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Materials and Methods

Various fungal samples based on IAQ

investigation.

Spore traps and surface samples

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Materials & Methods

12 homes sampled in NJ & PA.

3 endotoxin samples collected in each

dwelling

Kitchen floor, Sofa, Living Room floor, Bedroom

floor, Bedroom bed, basement.

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Materials & Methods

Specifications:

0.45m Polycarbonate Filter

37mm Styrene Housing

Sterilized by Irradiation

Endotoxin Free

Sift dust through 350 micron sieve

Kinetic Chromogenic Limulus

amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay (EU

endotoxin units)

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Horseshoe Crab Harvest

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Blood Collection

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Results

Surface sample:

9 out of 12 homes had visible mould

growth inside (Aspergillus, Chaetomium,

Penicillium, and Stachybotrys)

Spore traps:

8 out of 12 had > indoor spore counts vs

outdoors

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Results

Endotoxin:

Mouldy: 0.1-263.6 EU/mg dust

Non-Mouldy: 0.5-38.5 EU/mg dust

Published range is 11-100 EU/mg dust

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ResultsComparison of Endotoxin Levels in Dust in Mouldy and Non-

mouldy Homes

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Mouldy Non-mouldy

Type of Home

Endoto

xinValues(EUper

mg

dust)

Geo Mean

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Results

Relationship Between Dust Endotoxin Levels

and Mould Spore Counts

y = -26.646x + 6641.3

R2

= 0.0398

-5000

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Endotoxin Levels in Household Dust (EU/mg)

MaximumT

otalSpores

(counts/m3)

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Conclusions

Mouldiness in homes was not a good predictor

of endotoxin levels.

Similar conclusion in published studies

comparing endotoxin in air with mouldiness.

Suspicion of GNB contamination requires

directed endotoxin testing.

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Endotoxin Predictors in Literature

Positively correlated with presence of a

dog or past presence of a dog.

Positively correlated with useof a cool-mist humidifier

Negatively correlated with use

of a dehumidifier.

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Acknowledgements

Marc Leftwich and Bob Woodward at AMT

Mold Testing in PA.

EMSLs clients for participation.

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Contact Information

Jason Dobranic, Ph.D.

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

107 Haddon Ave. Westmont, NJ 08108

Tel: 800-220-3675

Email: jdobranic@emsl.com