high bacteria count

[Guest guest]

If anyone can give me some guidance I would really apreciate it. I

thought I was having a mold problem in my apartment, and since the

building owner would not bring in anyone to test, my husband and I

hired an environmental company to test the air for us. This is

because of strange types of illnesses we have been experiencing.

As it turns out, we were delighted to find the mold count very low,

however the company also tested for bacteria. The report came back

to us with a very high bacteria count of 469, which is two and a half

times higher than the Canadian Health Standards considers safe.

Now I really am lost as I am unclear as to the health affects of

airborn bacteria in a residence. The fellow who tested said it was

just as bad as mold in regards to health. Can anyone tell me of

their experience, or even give me some guidance as to the next step?

Both hubby and I have always been very healthy until we lived here

and now we both have joint pain as well as chronic sore throat, mild

nausea and general fatigue. Is it possible for airborne bacteria to

cause these problems?

Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance.

Sharyn

slemasse@...

[Guest guest]

One of the major concerns with environmental bacteria is the presence

of endotoxins. Endotoxins are heat-stable lipopolysaccharide

complexes present in the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria.

It is common in the environment as whole cells, large membrane

fragments, or macromolecular aggregates (free endotoxin). Inhalation

studies involving endotoxin have shown that they can cause fever,

cough, diffuse aches, nausea, shortness of breath and chest

tightness, acute air flow obstruction, and airway inflammation.

Endotoxin exposure may also result in low lung function. So to

answer your question, yes, it is possible that bacteria are causing

your problems.

Jack Springston, CIH, CSP

Ambient Group, Inc.

New York, NY

>

> If anyone can give me some guidance I would really apreciate it. I

> thought I was having a mold problem in my apartment, and since the

> building owner would not bring in anyone to test, my husband and I

> hired an environmental company to test the air for us. This is

> because of strange types of illnesses we have been experiencing.

>

> As it turns out, we were delighted to find the mold count very low,

> however the company also tested for bacteria. The report came back

> to us with a very high bacteria count of 469, which is two and a

half

> times higher than the Canadian Health Standards considers safe.

>

> Now I really am lost as I am unclear as to the health affects of

> airborn bacteria in a residence. The fellow who tested said it was

> just as bad as mold in regards to health. Can anyone tell me of

> their experience, or even give me some guidance as to the next

step?

>

> Both hubby and I have always been very healthy until we lived here

> and now we both have joint pain as well as chronic sore throat,

mild

> nausea and general fatigue. Is it possible for airborne bacteria

to

> cause these problems?

>

> Any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance.

>

> Sharyn

> slemasse@h...