Research and Development - Indoor Air Quality
Case Study: Application of Novel Media for the Improved
Recovery of
Stachybotrys chartarum From Environmental Samples
Authors: R.A. Billups, J.E. Parent, K.S. Fallon
and P.S. Warden
ABSTRACT:
Stachybotrys chartarum and related mycotoxins have been implicated
in Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and other indoor air quality (IAQ)
complaints. In this case study, samples were collected before, during
and after remediation. Three types of media were used to recover
viable fungi, including Malt Extract Agar (MEA), Inhibitory Mold
Agar (IMA) and Stachybotrys Selective Agar (SSA). From surface,
bulk and aerosol samples, S. chartarum was recovered more frequently
and in higher concentrations using SSA than either of the other
medias. The Zefon (non-viable) data demonstrated strong correlation
with the Andersen/SSA data regarding Stachybotrys occurrence, whereas
MEA correlated poorly. The combination of viable and non-viable
techniques was valuable to monitor aerosolized Stachybotrys spore
concentrations before, during and after remediation. Further research
is needed, but in this study SSA was superior for the selective
recovery of viable S. chartarum from environmental aerosol, surface
and bulk samples.
Presented at the 2nd NSF Int'l Conference on Indoor Air Health,
Miami Beach, FL, January 2001 |
