Bacteria Pervasively Contaminating Chinese Drywall Conclusively Identified

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Bacteria Pervasively Contaminating Chinese Drywall Conclusively Identified

0 Comments 15 June 2010

http://news.gnom.es/news/bacteria-pervasively-contaminating-chinese-drywall-conc\

lusively-identified

DALLAS, June 15 /NEWS.GNOM.ES/ — RealTime Laboratories, LLC announced today

significant new findings regarding pervasive bacterial presence unique to

contaminated drywall. RealTime has identified specific bacteria found only in

symptomatic drywall and not in normal domestic drywall that are viable,

pervasive and produce hydrogen sulfide and reduced sulfur gases under conditions

similar to those found in residences. Cultures developed by RealTime using

symptomatic contaminated drywall demonstrated a bacterial mat formation,

generated copious amounts of hydrogen sulfide, and reproduced rapidly in

standard laboratory tests. Similar testing of normal non-symptomatic domestic

drywall did not reveal this bacterial growth. DNA analysis of these cultures

using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology has identified the bacteria as

Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans. Further, RealTime has genetically

identified an additional species in certain symptomatic Chinese drywall as

Acidothiobacillus thiooxidans. These bacteria were shown to grow in both

aerobic and anaerobic environments consistent with literature references which

disclose that certain sulfur bacteria can form protective layers such that in an

aerobic environment, they can metabolize under anaerobic conditions. Previous

published studies, in which RealTime scientists participated, had identified a

very similar bacteria, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, on direct non-culture

extracts. This " ecology " of several similar sulfur species, identified

exclusively in symptomatic contaminated drywall, is consistent with literature

references of the waxing and waning of specific sulfur species as they pass

through the sulfur growth cycle. These bacteria are also known to produce

sulfur in the form of S8 in their life-cycle, providing a rational scientific

explanation for the presence of sulfur in Chinese drywall.

Significantly, RealTime has also conclusively identified symptomatic

contaminated drywall from blind samples submitted using the culturing and DNA

identification of the bacteria indicated above.

The identification of sulfur gas-producing bacteria specific to contaminated

drywall that are viable, growing and actually producing the gases found in

residences with symptomatic contaminated drywall is conclusive evidence of

pervasive bacterial contamination and a direct link to the production of reduced

sulfur gases.

About RealTime Laboratories, LLC

RealTime Laboratories, LLC (RTL) is a molecular biology and microbiology

laboratory specializing in the detection of mycotoxins in human and

environmental samples. RTL uses patented DNA testing to help patients and their

physicians determine the effects of exposure to environmental toxins. To date,

RTL has conducted the only peer reviewed and published research on the subject

of contaminated drywall and offers the only viable method to determine if a home

has potentially symptomatic material.

SOURCE RealTime Laboratories, LLC