1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Economic Analysis
If only 2% of American homeowners purchased our product, we would sell 2 million units
Our product itself is inexpensive to make commercially
We estimate production costs to be $20 and we expect to make a $8 profit after marketing and packaging
Under these conditions we could expect to make 16 million dollars

6. Cost Benefit Analysis
It is believed that at least 4.6 million homes are affected by the stachybotrys mold
It is estimated that repairs on homes and removal of mold cost on average $10,000
Our product would only cost $30 and would function as an early detection method that would dramatically decrease the amount spent on repairs and removal

7. The Toxin: Satratoxin H

8. Progression of Stachybotrys from Growth to Illness:

9. Ways to Detect Stachybotrys
Type of Test
Pros
Cons
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
Can calibrate sensitivity
Only senses mycotoxin producing species
Difficult technology
Requires training
May require laboratory

10. Biological Testing Procedures
Type of Test
Pros
Cons
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 be done in a laboratory
May need fluorescence equipment
BIAcore
There’s one at Vanderbilt!
Limited by material properties
Single-cell calorimeter
Very small!
Biologically calibrated
Little toxin exposure is necessary
Cannot calibrate
Difficult design
Expensive equipment
Imprecise

11. Final Design

12. Timeline of Progress

13. Conclusions and Future Plans
A working design could potentially save several million dollars in repairs, clean up, and medical care
Our design could also prevent infant and child deaths currently associated with SIDS
We hope to begin testing and improving our design to create a functional product by August 2002