Envirologix: Putting Science to the Test

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality/Toxic Mold
The challenge for some indoor quality experts and their customers is the cost for analysis of a proper number of samples. This can be a limiting factor in accurate assessment of indoor mold, spore and mycotoxin contamination. Conventional analysis by HPLC or other means is slow and very cost prohibitive.

The indoor air quality industry now has a new analytical technology that can rapidly and inexpensively identify Stachybotrys and Aspergillus niger, differentiate them from other molds, confirm mycotoxin-containing spore presence, and if necessary, quantitate the level of spore-borne trichothecene mycotoxins in the air.



Stachybotrys and its toxin
Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black fungus that grows on materials with a high cellulose concentration such as straw, drywall, wood, grass, saw dust and lumber material. Mycotoxin poisoning by this fungus is referred to as stachybotryotoxicosis.

Macrocyclic trichothecenes are highly toxic compounds. Stachybotrys chartarum produces six types of macrocyclic trichothecenes: roridin E, satratoxins F, G and H, trichoverrols, trichoverrins, verrucarol and verrucarin J. The most notable of these toxins are called satratoxins and occur in conidia of the fungus.

Generally, satratoxins are produced in greater amounts than the other trichothecenes; however such compounds are produced in low quantities. They occur in all parts of the fungus. One isolate was reported to contain about 15 ppm trichothecene in the conidia.

Human health effects associated with exposure to mycotoxins in general have been limited to case reports or case controlled investigations. Many of these studies have lacked statistical significance due to the small sample size in the study, as well as the qualitative (not quantitative) methods used to assess exposure. In addition, atypical molds are often unrecognized which may or may not produce mycotoxin but may have significance in causing disease.


Mold spores - field testing
If large amounts of Stachybotrys or Aspergillus niger are found growing inside inhabited buildings, it is important to know this quickly in order to limit potential human exposure. Therefore, accurately identifying Stachybotrys and Aspergillus niger with a rapid and simple lateral flow strip test has significant value. An inexpensive, rapid test will permit on site, equipment-free testing that effectively distinguishes Stachybotrys, and Aspergillus niger mold from other genera.

The EnviroLogix QuickTox™ test for Stachybotrys and Aspergillus niger is an on-site, fast, reliable and easy test method for detecting Stachybotrys and Aspergillus niger mold spores in dust and air handling units, and on environmental samples such as drywall, ceiling tiles, and carpets. QuickTox provide easily understood "yes/no" results within 2-5 minutes.

Click here for detailed information on our Mold & Mold Toxin Test Kits


Mold toxin - laboratory testing
Once on-site positive mold identification has been made for Stachybotrys using the QuickTox Kit, samples can be sent to a laboratory for mycotoxin detection and quantitation using a highly sensitive and accurate ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) technology.

The QuantiTox™ Trichothecene test kit offered by EnviroLogix is an extremely sensitive ELISA for detection of Stachybotrys mycotoxins in dust and bulk samples. In one hour, this test can detect and quantify the following mycotoxins found in Stachybotrys mold: satratoxin (G&H), isosatratoxin F, roridin (A, E and L-2), verrucarol, and verrucarin A.

Use of these two test methods will benefit industrial hygienists, consultants and remediation specialists in the following manner:

- Assist in immediate decisions about preventive measures for building occupants exposed to a potentially toxic environment
- Allow representative sample numbers to be tested at a fraction of traditional analytical costs and thereby offer an affordable service to their customers
- Provide 1-hour ELISA confirmatory testing to improve access to timely information that indicates the need for remediation

This new test will help indoor air quality experts determine if people inside a certain building are at risk of exposure to trichothecenes. After a building is remediated, the test can help determine if the air is now trichothecene mycotoxin-free. This test is used by commercial laboratories serving industrial hygienists, environmental engineers and consultants, environmental attorneys, insurance professionals, home inspectors and remediation professionals.

Click here for detailed information on our Mold & Mold Toxin Test Kits

Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by molds or fungi. After molds become mature they have the capability of producing toxins. Currently, no one fully understands why toxin production begins. There are hundreds of mycotoxins. Some of them, such as Aflatoxin, are well known; others, such as Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) are not as well known. Once these toxins are present, it is nearly impossible to destroy them, much less remove them from their host environment.

The common view of mycotoxins is that they are produced by molds that form in grains, food and feedstuffs and, thus, may cause disease when ingested. However, when considering potential disease effects in humans, other routes of exposure must be considered such as inhalation, skin contact or passive exposure from mycotic infection by a toxigenic fungus.


Mycotoxicosis
Mycotoxicosis is the result of exposure to a mycotoxin either through ingestion or inhalation. It may manifest itself acutely as a chronic disease and range from rapid death to tumor formation. It also has a more insidious role in immunosuppresion since it may compromise the immune system, thus increasing a person's susceptibility to infectious diseases. Some of these mycotoxins cause dermal necrosis when exposed via contact to the skin or mucous membranes. Ochratoxicosis, Trichothecene Toxicoses and Gliotoxin Toxicosis are among several of these diseases that can cause serious renal, pulmonary, neurological and immunological damage.

The presence and degree of the infectious disease is dependent upon mycotoxin agent type, toxin dose, animal species and constitution.

Mediums for proliferation of fungi include air or ventilation ducts, evaporative cooling systems, and cellulose material (insulation material, wallpaper, and fiber board). These airborne routes of infection have been implicated in "sick building syndrome" where Stachybotrys-contaminated buildings are suspect.


More Resources and Related Websites