Re: EPA Scientists Develop Better Method to Detect Dangerous Molds

[Guest guest]

Have any of you or anyone you know used this DNA-based system for

testing? I am most interested in being in contact with you.

Thanks,

Jan Wilkes

>

> EPA Scientists Develop Better Method to Detect Dangerous Molds

>

> Up to 96 analyses can be run simultaneously

> Two EPA scientists have developed an innovative way to detect

potentially

> dangerous molds much faster and with more accuracy. The new

technology can

> be used to detect the mold Stachybotrys, commonly known as " black

mold " and

> more than 50 other possibly problematic molds.

>

> Molds typically grow in buildings affected by water damage and have

been

> found in homes, hospitals, schools, and office buildings. It is

estimated

> that about 50 to l00 common indoor mold types have the potential

for

> creating health problems. Exposure to mold has been identified as a

> potential cause of many health problems including asthma,

sinusitis, and

> infections. It is also believed that molds play a major role in

cases of

> sick building syndrome and related illnesses.

>

> Drs. J. Vesper and Haugland at the EPA Office of

Research

> and Development, National Exposure Research laboratory in

Cincinnati, Ohio

> have developed a DNA-based system that allows rapid identification

and

> quantification of molds in a matter of hours. Current methodologies

require

> days or weeks to identify molds before remedial action can be

taken. With

> the new technology, up to 96 analyses can be run simultaneously by

> laboratory technicians, reducing the labor required to analyze

samples while

> significantly increasing the accuracy and validity of the analysis.

The new

> technology also enables scientists to make risk assessments by

identifying

> which mold is present and in what numbers.

>

> In recognition of their work in developing the technology, the EPA

> scientists received the prestigious Federal Laboratory Consortium

Award for

> Excellence in Technology Transfer. They were in competition with

researchers

> from all the Federal laboratories.

>

> Technology is being introduced by the Environmental Technology

> Commercialization Center, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, one of

the

> agency's technology transfer centers that assists U.S. industries

in the

> licensing of EPA technologies. The technology is available for

licensing on

> a non-exclusive basis by laboratories, indoor air quality

specialists, or

> other environmental professionals. Aerotech Laboratories, Inc., a

small

> Arizona business, is the first licensee under this government

patent.

>

> Mold Remediation

> http://homerepair.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?

site=http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger:

http://messenger.msn.com