News
House Dust: A Microbial Reservoir?
Successful management of house dust related health and hygienic care requires a two-fold approach (i.e. clinical diagnosis of the sufferer and environmental monitoring of the dwelling).
Atlanta, GA -- In the indoor environment, settled dust may contain a number of biogenic and a-biogenic entities. The nature, type, and contents of microbial populations harbored by the “House Dust” may vary depending on the ecological niche and other environmental parameters, such as humidity, temperature etc. Collection and analysis of nuisance dust from building environments is not an easy task. However, it is essential in order to determine the identity and quantity of microbes and their byproducts in an indoor environment. This is not only helpful for understanding the common indoor pollutants/allergens of indoor environments, but it is also essential in reducing measures, remediation, and/or the management of a good indoor environment.
Microbial constituents and their byproducts in house dust can exist in two different phases, i.e. dormant and active/viable, which may or may not influence each other. Mainly, there are two different markers, culture and non-culture, which are used for enumerating dust microbiota of indoor environments. These methods are based on microscopy, biochemical assays, ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) techniques. Environmental dust sample collection is one of the integral parts of the analysis, in either case. A house dust sample may be collected by vacuuming, swapping, and lifting accumulated dust particles in and around a test site with aseptic techniques.
The most common microbiota of house dust includes, but is not limited to, Submicroscopic particles, such as viruses and mycoplasma; Bacteria; Protozoa; Fungi/Mold; Arthropods such as Mites; Myxomycetes; Pollen grains; Cysts; Plant trichomes; Animal hairs; other Plant and Animal borne materials beside common bio-products such as Mites; Cockroach; Cat, Dog, Rat, Mice allergens; Mycotoxin; Endotoxin and Exotoxin; etc. Some of the influential growth factors for dust-borne particles are listed as: availability of organic and inorganic chemicals, dampness, moisture, temperature, and ventilation etc.
Several studies in the recent past reveal that the dust microbiota is linked with health and hygiene (Microorganisms in Home and Indoor Work Environments Diversity, Health Impacts, Investigation and Control: Flanning, Samson and Millar, published by CRC press 2001; Characterization of Microorganisms in Indoor Environments: Ulla Lignell, published by the National Public Health Institute, 2008). Exposure to these substances, even in small quantities, can trigger allergenic symptoms/disorders and/or other health concerns. Common symptoms of house dust biomass include, but are not limited to, asthma, fever, headache, fatigues, infections, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, eczema, etc. These signs appear either as acquiring direct infection or as a result of production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in a sensitive individual upon the exposure of dust biota. In the case of allergenic disorders, IgE binds to mast cells in the mucosa in eye conjunctiva, nose, throat, and bronchi, and triggering a release of histamine. Histamine causes dilation of vessels in mucosa, and secretion of mucus from mucous glands, resulting in mucosal swelling and mucus secretion, giving rise to allergenic symptoms.
Successful management of house dust related health and hygienic care requires a two-fold approach (i.e. clinical diagnosis of the sufferer and environmental monitoring of the dwelling). The clinical evaluation of a patient includes symptom history, blood tests, IgE levels, and evaluation of suspected allergens (skin prick or patch test), etc. Environmental monitoring divulges the identification and quantification of microbial contents and their byproducts in house dust.
For additional information on allergen/microbial assessment of your home or work site contact Dr. Rajiv R Sahay, Laboratory Director Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab): 800-422-7873 ext. 301, or Cy Garner ext 404. Visit the online IAQ DIY superstore www.indoorairtest.com for all of your environmental testing needs.
About Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab):
Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm and has since set the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis, environmental laboratory, and remediation. Pure Air Control Services has serviced more than 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.
The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, chemistry, allergen assays, and microscopy designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses.
The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE); Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; US 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 Control Services/EDLab the reliable industry leader in IAQ.
For more information, visit the company’s web site at http://www.pureaircontrols.comor contact Alan Wozniak or Cy Garner at 1-800-422-7873 ext 802 or 804 respectively.
More News
IAQ Test Kits (DIY), PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning and PURE-Decon Room Treatment Showcased at the Annual FRACCA Conference
This annual event provides an opportunity for licensed contractors throughout the State of Florida to obtain all 14 state-required hours of continuing education over the course of the two-day event.
Released On: 3/8/2014
Views: 4087
Free Legionella Webinar: Detection & Identification Workshop
Although this type of bacteria was around before1976, more illness from Legionnaires' disease is being detected now. Due to consumer awareness, added research and technological advances in healthcare Legionnaires disease identification is becomi ...
Released On: 3/4/2014
Views: 3897
Why Some High-Performance Buildings Are Failing?
Performance of a building depends on its structured integrity, preventive maintenance, as well as periodical monitoring of the environmental conditions essential for its functionality.
Released On: 2/19/2014
Views: 3921
Legionnaire’s – What You Should Know About The Potential Deadly Bacteria
According to Building Operating Management magazine, expert Victor Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, disclosed that “Up to 70% of all buildings greater t ...
Released On: 2/18/2014
Views: 3493
Managing of Indoor Environments: Problems and Solutions - IEQ WEBINAR
Released On: 1/22/2014
Views: 3383
Save Energy and Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with PURE-Steam Deep Coil Cleaning
High efficiency coils are extremely susceptible to blockage from dust accumulation because once lodged deeply within the fins bacteria and mold may initiate growth, which not only compounds the blockage problems but also gives rise to excessive o ...
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 6135
January is National Radon Action Month
Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water.
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 3811
Why indoor air quality is important to all of us?
World Health Organization (WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, 2009) concluded that the most important effect is increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma, as well as perturbation of the immunological systems
Released On: 12/31/2013
Views: 3826
Pure Air Control Services Launches New Interactive Website
The website is a true indoor environmental resource for the private and public sector including consumers, educational facilities e.g. schools, universities, along with city, county state and federal governments, healthcare and the public sector.
Released On: 12/20/2013
Views: 2880
Pure Air Control Services Awarded Certification from Doctor Trusted
“We are very proud to have been given the opportunity to display that we are a Doctor Trusted recipient. We will continue as always to help provide our customers with a great products and services,” stated Dr. Rajiv Sahay, environmental analytica ...
Released On: 12/11/2013
Views: 3825
IndoorAirTest.com Receives Seal of Approval by Doctor Trusted
IndoorAirtest.com is very proud to have a Doctor Trusted seal of approval displayed on our website, giving our customers more confidence when shopping with us.
Released On: 12/4/2013
Views: 4230
PURE-Decon/Sanosil, Reduces Sick Days Caused by Infection
Released On: 10/2/2013
Views: 3179
Controlling Asthma & Allergy Triggers Through Source Identification
The assessment of allergens in a house dust sample is an essential step for allergen-avoidance and provides information essential for allergen-reducing measures, in addition to managing the indoor environment from a health and hygiene point of view
Released On: 9/18/2013
Views: 5255
Hospitals Get a “Clean Bill of Health” with Innovative IAQ/Energy Solutions
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions.
Released On: 7/31/2013
Views: 4287
How Safe is Formaldehyde in our Buildings and Homes?
Released On: 7/17/2013
Views: 4536
Commercial Energy Solutions Seminar July 26, 2013
Released On: 7/11/2013
Views: 4608
Health Risks Associated With Indoor Microbes
Some common and frequently reported microbes of the indoor environment include, but are not limited to, viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, mold (fungi), yeast, protozoa, etc.
Released On: 6/26/2013
Views: 5792
Aspergillosis: A Cause for Indoor Concerns?
In indoor environments, this fungus can be transported from outside or may propagate on building materials such as cellulose rich sheet rocks, etc. and can generally be isolated from floors, carpets, mattress dust, Heating Ventilation Air Conditi ...
Released On: 6/19/2013
Views: 10344
Map
Pure Air Control, Services, Inc.
Get DirectionsPure Air Control, Services, Inc.
-
4911 Creekside Drive
Clearwater, Florida 33760
United States - 1 (800) 422-7873
