endotoxins: an indoor air and settled dust survey
DESCRIPTION
Endotoxins: An indoor air and settled dust survey. J. Dobranic, Ph.D.* & S. Cappuccio, B.Sc. EMSL Analytical, Inc. www.emsl.com Tel: 800-220-3675 Email: [email protected]. Introduction. Evaluate and compare fungal contamination in air and surface samples with endotoxin in accumulated dust. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Endotoxins: An indoor air Endotoxins: An indoor air and settled dust survey.and settled dust survey.
J. Dobranic, Ph.D.* & S. Cappuccio, J. Dobranic, Ph.D.* & S. Cappuccio, B.Sc.B.Sc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc.EMSL Analytical, Inc.www.emsl.comwww.emsl.com
Tel: 800-220-3675Tel: 800-220-3675Email: Email: [email protected]@emsl.com
IntroductionIntroduction
• Evaluate and compare fungal contamination Evaluate and compare fungal contamination in air and surface samples with endotoxin in in air and surface samples with endotoxin in accumulated dust.accumulated dust.
• Dust may represent cumulative exposure to Dust may represent cumulative exposure to endotoxin.endotoxin.
EndotoxinEndotoxin
• Pyrogenic, cell wall component Pyrogenic, cell wall component (lipopolysaccharide) of Gram-negative (lipopolysaccharide) of Gram-negative bacteria.bacteria.
• Heat-stableHeat-stable
EndotoxinEndotoxin
• Elevated airborne concentrations are Elevated airborne concentrations are prevalent in sewage treatment plantsprevalent in sewage treatment plants
• swine operations swine operations • cotton textile millscotton textile mills• poultry housespoultry houses• water damaged water damaged
buildingsbuildings
Health EffectsHealth Effects
• Produces airway inflammation (wheezing)Produces airway inflammation (wheezing)
• Associated with increased severity of child Associated with increased severity of child and adult asthmaand adult asthma
• Exposure during childhood may reduce Exposure during childhood may reduce allergic responses later in lifeallergic responses later in life
• Cause of Humidifier FeverCause of Humidifier Fever
Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods
• Various fungal samples based on IAQ Various fungal samples based on IAQ investigation.investigation.– Spore traps and surface samplesSpore traps and surface samples
Materials & MethodsMaterials & Methods
• 12 homes sampled in NJ & PA.12 homes sampled in NJ & PA.
• 3 endotoxin samples collected in each 3 endotoxin samples collected in each dwellingdwelling– Kitchen floor, Sofa, Living Room floor, Bedroom Kitchen floor, Sofa, Living Room floor, Bedroom
floor, Bedroom bed, basement.floor, Bedroom bed, basement.
Materials & MethodsMaterials & Methods
• Specifications: Specifications: 0.45µm Polycarbonate Filter 0.45µm Polycarbonate Filter
37mm Styrene Housing 37mm Styrene Housing
Sterilized by Irradiation Sterilized by Irradiation
Endotoxin Free Endotoxin Free
• Sift dust through 350 micron sieveSift dust through 350 micron sieve• Kinetic Chromogenic Kinetic Chromogenic LimulusLimulus
amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay (EU – amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay (EU – endotoxin units)endotoxin units)
Horseshoe Crab Harvest
Blood Collection
ResultsResults
• Surface sample:Surface sample:– 9 out of 12 homes had visible mould 9 out of 12 homes had visible mould
growth inside (growth inside (AspergillusAspergillus, , ChaetomiumChaetomium, , PenicilliumPenicillium, and , and StachybotrysStachybotrys))
• Spore traps:Spore traps:– 8 out of 12 had > indoor spore counts vs 8 out of 12 had > indoor spore counts vs
outdoorsoutdoors
Results
• Endotoxin:Endotoxin:– Mouldy: 0.1-263.6 EU/mg dustMouldy: 0.1-263.6 EU/mg dust
– Non-Mouldy: 0.5-38.5 EU/mg dustNon-Mouldy: 0.5-38.5 EU/mg dust
• Published range is 11-100 EU/mg dustPublished range is 11-100 EU/mg dust
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
En
do
toxi
n V
alu
es (
EU
per
mg
d
ust
)
Geo Mean
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)
Ma
xim
um
To
tal S
po
res
(co
un
ts/m
3)
ConclusionsConclusions• Mouldiness in homes was not a good predictor Mouldiness in homes was not a good predictor
of endotoxin levels. of endotoxin levels.
• Similar conclusion in published studies Similar conclusion in published studies comparing endotoxin in air with mouldiness.comparing endotoxin in air with mouldiness.
• Suspicion of GNB contamination requires Suspicion of GNB contamination requires directed endotoxin testing.directed endotoxin testing.
Endotoxin Predictors in LiteratureEndotoxin Predictors in Literature
• Positively correlated with presence of a Positively correlated with presence of a dog or past presence of a dog.dog or past presence of a dog.
• Positively correlated with use Positively correlated with use of a cool-mist humidifierof a cool-mist humidifier
• Negatively correlated with use Negatively correlated with use of a dehumidifier.of a dehumidifier.
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
• Marc Leftwich and Bob Woodward at AMT Marc Leftwich and Bob Woodward at AMT Mold Testing in PA.Mold Testing in PA.
• EMSL’s clients for participation.EMSL’s clients for participation.
Contact InformationContact Information
• Jason Dobranic, Ph.D.Jason Dobranic, Ph.D.– EMSL Analytical, Inc.EMSL Analytical, Inc.– 107 Haddon Ave. Westmont, NJ 08108107 Haddon Ave. Westmont, NJ 08108– Tel: 800-220-3675Tel: 800-220-3675– Email: [email protected]: [email protected]