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Identification of Hazardous Airborne Organisms. Group 1: Beth Kerr Brita Roy. Background. Stachybotrys is the most common form of hazardous mold found in residential homes Spores of stachybotrys cause pulmonary hemorrhaging and hemosiderosis Mycotoxins are released by stachybotrys spores.
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Identification of Hazardous Airborne Organisms Group 1: Beth Kerr Brita Roy
Background • Stachybotrys is the most common form of hazardous mold found in residential homes • Spores of stachybotrys cause pulmonary hemorrhaging and hemosiderosis • Mycotoxins are released by stachybotrys spores
History of Mold Testing • Prior to the recent media interest in hazardous molds, testing did not occur until mold was visible or until symptoms 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.
Project Description • Designing a chemical test to identify the specific airborne mycotoxins produced by stachybotrys • Creating a device to test for the mycotoxins in homes as a preventative mechanism
Past Work • Completed literature search • Completed NCIIA proposal • Found commercially available home tests • Found structure of toxin in stachybotrys mold • Determined physical effects of mycotoxins
Current Status • Determining identification criteria for stachybotrys • Considering types of tests to characterize mycotoxins
Required information • How many households are affected by this mold? • What is the best way to differentiate stachybotrys from other molds? • How can satratoxin be easily identified?
Contact Info Beth Kerr Box 2329 B 421-4223 Brita Roy Box 529B 298-3131