10/08/09: Georgia Flood Victims – Simple and Affordable Mold & Bacteria Test Kits Available

In the aftermath of Septembers devastating floods in Georgia renowned microbiologist Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab, a division of Pure Air Control Services reminds residents to be wary of what floodwaters leave behind—specifically, mycotoxin trichothecenes (toxin producing molds) growing on walls, behind walls, in the ceilings, under the carpets, behind cabinets, or in their ductwork. 

Award-winning indoor Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab) provides simple tests for tricothocene mycotoxins, molds and bacteria

Atlanta, GA 9/22/2009 11:18 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Atlanta, GA -- In the aftermath of Septembers devastating floods in Georgia renowned microbiologist Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab, a division of Pure Air Control Services reminds residents to be wary of what floodwaters leave behind—specifically, mycotoxin trichothecenes (toxin producing molds) growing on walls, behind walls, in the ceilings, under the carpets, behind cabinets, or in their ductwork.

Mycotoxin and Indoor Environment:

Mycotoxins are chemical substance produced by the fungal metabolic process. As a matter of fact, these compounds are the secondary metabolites of fungal metabolism. Due to the absence of common molecular feature, the chemical category of these compounds is still not very certain. Commonly, the fungi producing such chemicals are categories as toxigenic fungi. Mycotoxin plays a pivotal role in regulating competition with other microorganism besides helping the parasitic fungi in invading the host tissues. These compounds may also effects human health adversely. The kind and amount of mycotoxin produced by a fungus depend on the fungal strain, the substrate it is metabolizing, and possibly the presence and absence of other organisms.

Production of mycotoxins are also highly influenced by the environmental factors especially growth substrate, temperature, pH and others. Some of the mycotoxins are volatile in nature where as others may be non-volatile. Scientists have identified over 400 mycotoxins and list is increasing day by day. Conversely, a single fungal species may produce a number of mycotoxins.

Over two hundred other mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys chartarum as well as several other fungi like Acremonium, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Trichothecium etc. Trichothecene is one of the most important mycotoxin reported from indoor environment and very complex in nature. It includes compounds like satratoxin, roridins, verucarins. Therefore, it is essential to have an understanding about the trichothecene mycotoxin in order to effectively evaluate a building for its indoor environmental quality.

Now, more than ever, the potential health effects of mycotoxin produced by various fungi growing into the indoor environmental site are being given serious consideration due to its potential health hazards. Mycotoxins affect occupants in buildings primarily through inhalation. These chemical substances are cytotoxins that cause cell disruption and interfere with essential cellular process. Some mycotoxin are potent carcinogenic, some are vasoactive, and some penetrate the blood-brain barrier to cause Central Nervous System (CNS) effect. The assessment of the extent of mycotoxin contamination is the essential step in reducing exposure to such toxin and their affects.

What indoor environmental tests are available?

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) provides an ELISA based technique (Limit of Detection is 0.14 parts per billion) for the rapid screening of trichothecene mycotoxin called Trichothecene Mycotoxin Check (TMC). Environmental samples such as dry wall, carpet, office supplies, air filter, dust and other like wise sample obtained from various test sites like schools, homes, hospitals, work places and other indoor environmental site are acceptable for trichothecene mycotoxin evaluation. Also the portion of same sample can be use for testing mold/fungi by performing addition tests.

A do-it-yourself screen test called Trichothecene Mycotoxin Check (TMC), Mold Screen Check (MSC), Allergen Screen Check (ASC), Home IAQ Screen Check (HIAQC) and others are available at www.IndoorAirTest.com or call 800-422-7873 ext 304 for more information. 

In response to flooding EDLab, an AIHA accredited lab, has added local and overall capacity, including weekend and emergency staffing, to support the increased need for mold and bacteria testing. As the nation's leading environmental testing laboratory, EDLab has added regional sample drop-off locations in Georgia. Call for a location near you.

About Pure Air Control Services:

Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm, today sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation. Pure Air has serviced more than 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.

Pure Air Control Services nationally performed IAQ services include: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check; an AIHA accredited Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EDLab); Environmental Project Management; and Mold Remediation Services, among other indoor environmental services.

The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air a reliable industry leader.