Identification of Hazardous Airborne Organisms Beth Kerr Brita Roy Advisors: Dr. Todd D. Giorgio and Dr. Paul H. King

Introduction Also known as “sick building syndrome”, Stachybotrys chartarum is becoming a much publicized problem in the United States after large outbreaks have been reported in Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL. Colonies of stachybotrys release spores containing mycotoxins that cause pulmonary hemorrhaging and hemosiderosis These diseases are often lethal in children, and may be the cause of many deaths previously attributed to SIDS.

Background Stachybotrys is the most common form of hazardous mold found in up to 46 million residential homes and schools Stachybotrys grows on materials with a high cellulose content that are at least 94% water saturated Spores containing mycotoxins are released from the mold as the fungus dries up Mycotoxins cause pulmonary hemorrhaging and hemosiderosis upon inhalation into the alveoli and release of Satratoxin H

The Toxin: Satratoxin H

History of Mold Testing Prior to the recent media interest in hazardous molds, testing did not occur until mold was visible or until physical symptoms of residents occurred Currently, the testing process is very slow. Home tests require that a sample of the visible mold be taken and sent to a laboratory. This is often difficult, since the mold usually grows between walls.

Project Description Designing a chemical test to rapidly identify the specific airborne mycotoxins produced by stachybotrys Creating an independent preventative or diagnostic device to test for the airborne toxic spores in homes that can be easily used by the layperson

Progression of Stachybotrys from Growth to Illness:

Ways to Detect Stachybotrys Type of TestProsCons Physical ID of mold Does not take much equipment Easy to learn Unreliable (comparatively) Could expose identifier to mycotoxin Genetic ID of mold Very precise Could determine whether the mold is a toxin-producer Must be taken into a laboratory Time consuming Requires much training Expensive Chemical test for mycotoxin Precise Distinguishes the specific toxin produced Expensive lab equipment Usually needs to be taken to a laboratory Biological test for mycotoxin Very precise Can calibrate sensitivity Only senses mycotoxin producing species Expensive Difficult technology Requires training May require laboratory

Biological Testing Procedures Type of TestProsCons Antibody-coated refractive plate May be made into a portable device Can be calibrated Difficult technology Must create antibody Difficult sensitivity calibration ELISA Common biological test Precise Simple positive/negative response Must create antibody Must be done in a laboratory May need fluorescence equipment BIAcore There’s one at Vanderbilt! Precise Must create antibody Limited by material properties Single-cell calorimeter Very small! Biologically calibrated Little toxin exposure is necessary Cannot calibrate Difficult design Expensive equipment Imprecise

Timeline of Progress

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