Test kits for Trichothecene Mycotoxins?

[Guest guest]

EDLab Offers Solutions to Flooding – Simple and Affordable Mold & Bacteria

Test Kits

Award-winning

indoor Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab) offers advice on

simple tests for tricothocene mycotoxins, molds and bacteria

Pensacola, FL 8/17/2009 11:21 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Pensacola,

FL --In the aftermath of July’s devastating floods in Indiana and

Kentucky and the recent tropical storm that has hit the panhandle in

Florida world renowned microbiologist Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab,a

division of Pure Air Control Services reminds residents to be wary of what

floodwaters leave

behind—specifically, mycotoxin trichothecenes (toxin producing molds)

growing on walls, behind walls, in the ceilings, under the carpets,

behind cabinets, or in their ductwork.

Mycotoxin and Indoor Environment:

Mycotoxins

are chemical substance produced by the fungal metabolic process. As a

matter of fact, these compounds are the secondary metabolites of fungal

metabolism. Due to the absence of common molecular feature, the

chemical category of these compounds is still not very certain.

Commonly, the fungi producing such chemicals are categories as

toxigenic fungi. Mycotoxin plays a pivotal role in regulating

competition with other microorganism besides helping the parasitic

fungi in invading the host tissues. These compounds may also effects

human health adversely. The kind and amount of mycotoxin produced by a

fungus depend on the fungal strain, the substrate it is metabolizing,

and possibly the presence and absence of other organisms.

Production

of mycotoxins are also highly influenced by the environmental factors

especially growth substrate, temperature, pH and others. Some of the

mycotoxins are volatile in nature where as others may be non-volatile.

Scientists have identified over 400 mycotoxins and list is increasing

day by day. Conversely, a single fungal species may produce a number of

mycotoxins.

Over two hundred other mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys chartarum as well as

several other fungi like Acremonium, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Trichothecium

etc.

Trichothecene is one of the most important mycotoxin reported from

indoor environment and very complex in nature. It includes compounds

like satratoxin, roridins, verucarins. Therefore, it is essential to

have an understanding about the trichothecene mycotoxin in order to

effectively evaluate a building for its indoor environmental quality.

Now,

more than ever, the potential health effects of mycotoxin produced by

various fungi growing into the indoor environmental site are being

given serious consideration due to its potential health hazards..

Mycotoxins affect occupants in buildings primarily through inhalation.

These chemical substances are cytotoxins that cause cell disruption and

interfere with essential cellular process. Some mycotoxin are potent

carcinogenic, some are vasoactive, and some penetrate the blood-brain

barrier to cause Central Nervous System (CNS) effect. The assessment of the

extent of mycotoxin contaminationis the essential step in reducing exposure to

such toxin and their affects.

What indoor environmental tests are available?

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab)provides an ELISA based

technique (Limit of Detection is 0.14 parts per

billion) for the rapid screening of trichothecene mycotoxin called Trichothecene

Mycotoxin Check (TMC).Environmental samples such as dry wall, carpet, office

supplies, air

filter, dust and other like wise sample obtained from various test

sites like schools, homes, hospitals, work places and other indoor

environmental site are acceptable for trichothecene mycotoxin

evaluation. Also the portion of same sample can be use for testing

mold/fungi by performing addition tests.

A do-it-yourself screen test called Trichothecene Mycotoxin Check (TMC) is

available at www.IndoorAirTest.com or call 800-422-7873 ext 304 for more

information. In

response to flooding EDLab, an AIHA accredited lab, has added local and

overall capacity, including weekend and emergency staffing, to support

the increased need for mold and bacteria testing. As the nation's

leading environmental testing laboratory, EDLab has added regional

sample drop-off locations in Indiana, Kentucky and Florida. Call 1-800-422-7873

ext 802 for sample drop-off points.

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=111283 & cat=10