News / Health & Wellness
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.
