scholarly journals Testing the Toxicity of Stachybotrys chartarum in Indoor Environments—A Case Study

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1602
Author(s):  
Marlena Piontek ◽  
Katarzyna Łuszczyńska
Keyword(s):  
Health Concern ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Stachybotrys Chartarum ◽  
Malt Extract ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Dugesia Tigrina ◽  
Ecotoxicological Tests ◽  
Interior Walls

Infestation of interior walls of buildings with fungal mould is a reason for health concern which is exacerbated in energy-efficient buildings that limit air circulation. Both mycological and mycotoxicological studies are needed to determine the potential health hazards to residents. In this paper, a rare case of the occurrence of Stachybotrys chartarum in an apartment building in the Lubuskie Province in Poland has been described. Isolated as the major constituent of a mixed mycobiota, its specific health relevance still needs to be carefully analyzed as its biochemical aptitude for the synthesis of mycotoxins may be expressed at different levels. Therefore, ecotoxicological tests were performed using two bioindicators: Dugesia tigrina Girard and Daphnia magna Straus. D. tigrina was used for the first time to examine the toxicity of S. chartarum. The ecotoxicological tests showed that the analyzed strain belonged to the third and fourth toxicity classes according to Liebmann’s classification. The strain of S. chartarum was moderately toxic on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) as a culture medium (toxicity class III), and slightly toxic on Malt Extract Agar (MEA) (toxicity class IV). Toxicity was additionally tested by instrumental analytical methods (LC-MS/MS). This method allowed for the identification of 13 metabolites (five metabolites reported for Stachybotrys and eight for unspecific metabolites). Spirocyclic drimanes were detected in considerable quantities (ng/g); a higher concentration was observed for stachybotryamide (109,000 on PDA and 62,500 on MEA) and lower for stachybotrylactam (27,100 on PDA and 46,300 on MEA). Both may explain the result observed through the bioindicators. Highly toxic compounds such as satratoxins were not found in the sample. This confirms the applicability of the two bioindicators, which also show mutual compatibility, as suitable tools to assess the toxicity of moulds.

Microcystin Exposure Pathways and Human Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Rajesh Melaram ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Algal Toxins ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Exposure Pathways ◽  
Green Algal

Microcystins (MCs) are blue-green algal toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria. Their environmentally relevant concentrations throughout global surface waters have tampered with human populations’ drinking and recreational supplies. MCs have gained immense public health attention due to their potential health effects. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most toxic variant of the MCs. Investigations on MC-LR toxicity and detection in water signify a growing potential environmental health concern worldwide. The World Health Organization established a provisional drinking water guidance value of 1 μg/L and a provisional recreational exposure guidance value of 10 μg/L for MC-LR. This review surveys human MC exposure pathways and integrates epidemiological studies to support MCs’ critical exposure pathways. A discussion on monitoring and mitigation strategies provides a guide for policy development in adopting MCs’ regulatory levels to protect public health.

scholarly journals Understanding the Relationships Between the Consumer Perception on Food Risks, Quality, and Safety Indicators of Braised Meat Sold in “Dibiterie” Restaurants in Dakar, Senegal

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malik Orou Seko ◽  
Walter Ossebi ◽  
Nibangue Laré ◽  
Bassirou Bonfoh
Keyword(s):  
Latent Variables ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Consumer Perception ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Quality And Safety ◽  
Potential Health

Dibiteries are restaurants that sell braised meat of small ruminants and sometimes chicken. Current microbiological data indicate that the products sold are sometimes contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms exceeding the quality standards recommended for human consumption, hence a real public health concern. Despite the lack of hygiene, these establishments continue to thrive in the Senegalese food ecosystem. However, very few studies have analyzed the socio-economic motivations and risk representations of these populations who participate in the growing demand for meat from dibiteries. The main objective is to understand the relationships between consumer perception of food risks, quality, and safety indicators of braised meat sold in Dibiteries in Dakar. A total of 479 people from 404 households in the Dakar region were randomly selected and surveyed on the consumption of dibiterie meat using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire allowed to measure the relative importance given by each interviewee to the indicators related to the risk of food infection, and the quality and safety of dibiterie meat. The structural equation model was used to design the paths and analyze the relationships. Of the 479 people interviewed, 291 people consumed dibiterie meat. Only 16% of consumers strongly perceive the quality and safety of meat. This strong perception has been positively associated with monthly food expenditure, while the age of consumers explained it negatively. Among the latent variables identified, the perceived price effect and the dibiteries' expertise were positively related to the perception on the safety and the perception on the nutritional quality of the product. The nutritional quality of the product had negatively impacted the risks of food infection perceived by consumers. The results of this study suggest the strengthening of hygiene standards in dibiteries and the awareness of consumers, especially young people, about the potential health risks associated with the consumption of dibiterie meat. Further work on willingness to pay to improve the safety of dibiterie meat is needed.

Chemical profile and antiperiodontal potential of Thymus linearis Benth. Essential oil using ADMET prediction, In silico and in vitro tools

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Abdul Rafey ◽  
Aqsa Batool ◽  
Muhammad Kamran ◽  
Samiullah Khan ◽  
Muhammad Akram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Major Constituent ◽  
Antimicrobial Studies ◽  
Development Of Resistance

Periodontitis is an important health concern that is associated with long term complications. Development of resistance to antibiotics limits the treatment options in periodontitis. We investigated Thymus linearis essential oil for treatment of periodontitis. The essential oil was collected using hydrodistillation and characterized using GC-MS. The constituents were further analyzed for druglikeness, ADMET properties and molecular docking using transcription regulators 2UV0 and 3QP5. The GC-MS results revealed that carvacrol was a major constituent (76.26%) followed by caryophyllene oxide (6.83%) and L-borneol (6.08%). The in vitro antimicrobial studies showed significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC range 0.024 –0.312μg/mL). The essential oil showed a good inhibition of bacterial biofilm produced by S. aureus (72%) and S. epidermidis (70%). Finally, the antiquorum sensing property (30 mm zone of inhibition) was recorded with violacein inhibition (58%). Based on in silico and in vitro findings, it was concluded that T. linearis essential oil can be used for the treatment of periodontal infections.

scholarly journals Health Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment of Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Selenium, and Manganese in Japanese Women: An Adjunct Study to the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaochen Ma ◽  
Miyuki Iwai-Shimada ◽  
Nozomi Tatsuta ◽  
Kunihiko Nakai ◽  
Tomohiko Isobe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
House Dust ◽  
Hazard Quotient ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Miyagi Prefecture

Toxic element pollution is a serious global health concern that has been attracting considerable research. In this study, we elucidated the major routes of exposure to three toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, and lead) and two essential elements (manganese and selenium) through diet, soil, house dust, and indoor air and assessed the potential health risks from these elements on women from the coastal area of Miyagi prefecture, Japan. Twenty-four-hour duplicate diet, house dust, soil, and indoor air samples were collected from 37 participants. Cd, Pb, Mn, and Se concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and Hg concentrations using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. We found that soil and house dust were the primary reservoirs of these elements. Diet contributed most strongly to the daily intake of these elements, with mean values of 0.72, 0.25, 0.054, 47, and 0.94 μg/kg/day for Hg, Cd, Pb, Mn, and Se, respectively. The mean hazard quotient of Hg was 1.53, indicating a high potential health risk from Hg exposure in daily lives. The intakes of other elements were below the tolerable limits. Future studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm our findings.

scholarly journals Fungal Assemblages on Indoor Surfaces with Visible Mold Growth in Homes after the 2016 Flood Disaster in Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 5322
Author(s):  
Nopadol Precha ◽  
Wissanupong Kliengchuay ◽  
Cheolwoon Woo ◽  
Naomichi Yamamoto ◽  
Kraichat Tantrakarnapa
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Flood Disaster ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mold Growth ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Southern Thailand ◽  
Fungal Assemblages ◽  
Relative Abundances

Southern Thailand suffers from floods due to heavy rainfalls every year. Post-flood increases in indoor fungi are a public health concern. Here, we investigated fungal assemblages on indoor surfaces with visible mold growth in homes after the 2016 flood disaster in Trang Province in Southern Thailand, using swab sampling followed by high-throughput DNA sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer 1 region. The most abundant phyla detected were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, with respective mean relative abundances of 87% and 13%. The dominant genera and their mean relative abundances were Leptospora (12.0%), Cystobasidium (7.7%), and Pyrenochaetopsis (6.5%). P-tests showed that indoor visible fungal assemblages in flooded homes in Thailand were significantly different from those in the non-flooded mold-laden homes observed in our previous study in South Korea. We detected 20 genera that contain species that can induce type I allergies, including Alternaria (3.8%) and Trichoderma (4.0%). Genera related to infectious, melanized, and toxigenic fungi were also detected. Indoor fungal measurements gathered using a DNA-based approach revealed fungal communities in homes in Thailand and provide important information about the potential health risks. Future research should examine the fungal infections and allergies that might be caused by flood disasters in less well studied tropical countries.

scholarly journals Bovine tuberculosis at the human-livestock-wildlife interface: Is it a public health problem in Tanzania? A review

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bugwesa Z. Katale ◽  
Erasto V. Mbugi ◽  
Sharon Kendal ◽  
Robert D. Fyumagwa ◽  
Gibson S. Kibiki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Bovine Tuberculosis ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Tuberculin Skin Testing ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Infection ◽  
Potential Health

Despite the apparent public health concern about Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in Tanzania, little has been done regarding the zoonotic importance of the disease and raising awareness of the community to prevent the disease. Bovine tuberculosis is a potential zoonotic disease that can infect a variety of hosts, including humans. The presence of multiple hosts including wild animals, inefficient diagnostic techniques, absence of defined national controls and eradication programs could impede the control of bovine TB. In Tanzania, the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis in animals is mostly carried out by tuberculin skin testing, meat inspection in abattoirs and only rarely using bacteriological techniques. The estimated prevalence of BTB in animals in Tanzania varies and ranges across regions from 0.2% to 13.3%, which is likely to be an underestimate if not confirmed by bacteriology or molecular techniques. Mycobacterium bovis has been detected and isolated from different animal species and has been recovered in 10% of apparently healthy wildebeest that did not show lesions at post-mortem. The transmission of the disease from animals to humans can occur directly through the aerosol route and indirectly by consumption of raw milk. This poses an emerging disease threat in the current era of HIV confection in Tanzania and elsewhere. Mycobacterium bovis is one of the causative agents of human extra pulmonary tuberculosis. In Tanzania there was a significant increase (116.6%) of extrapulmonary cases reported between 1995 and 2009, suggesting the possibility of widespread M. bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection due to general rise of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This paper aims to review the potential health and economic impact of bovine tuberculosis and challenges to its control in order to safeguard human and animal population in Tanzania.

scholarly journals Effects of Electronic Cigarettes on Indoor Air Quality and Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqiao Li ◽  
Yan Lin ◽  
Tian Xia ◽  
Yifang Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Ultrafine Particles ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Toxic Substances

With the rapid increase in electronic cigarette (e-cig) users worldwide, secondhand exposure to e-cig aerosols has become a serious public health concern. We summarize the evidence on the effects of e-cigs on indoor air quality, chemical compositions of mainstream and secondhand e-cig aerosols, and associated respiratory and cardiovascular effects. The use of e-cigs in indoor environments leads to high levels of fine and ultrafine particles similar to tobacco cigarettes (t-cigs). Concentrations of chemical compounds in e-cig aerosols are generally lower than those in t-cig smoke, but a substantial amount of vaporized propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine, and toxic substances, such as aldehydes and heavy metals, has been reported. Exposures to mainstream e-cig aerosols have biologic effects but only limited evidence shows adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects in humans. Long-term studies are needed to better understand the dosimetry and health effects of exposures to secondhand e-cig aerosols.

scholarly journals Assessment of Radon Concentration and Impact on Human Health in a Region Dominated by Abandoned Gold Mine Tailings Dams: A Case from the West Rand Region, South Africa

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshupya ◽  
Abiye ◽  
Mouri ◽  
Levin ◽  
Strauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
The West ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Radon Gas ◽  
Tailings Dams

Radon gas has long been identified as a human carcinogen. The purpose of this study was to understand the occurrence of radon gas in the West Rand region, located west of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, and to investigate its potential health effects. In this study, the sampling of rocks, tailings, and construction materials was carried out for geochemical analyses. For characterisation of radon, 60 radon monitors (RGMs) were installed in indoor and outdoor environments. The results showed that mine tailings contain high uranium levels, with a maximum of 149.76 ppm and a mean value of 48.87 ppm. The radon levels in the area ranged between 32 Bq/m3 and 1069 Bq/m3 and thus, exceed the typical outdoor radon levels of about 10 Bq/m3. Significantly high values were obtained from gold tailings dams. In indoor environments, radon concentration ranged up to a maximum of 174 Bq/m3, which is above the recommended value of 100 Bq/m3. The effective doses calculated from the obtained radon levels showed a maximum of 16 mSv/y, which is above the recommended value of 1 mSv/y proposed for public exposure. The estimated doses have an enormous potential to pose high lung cancer risks to the populations residing nearby tailings.

Infectious helminth ova in wastewater and sludge: A review on public health issues and current quantification practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 1048-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Gyawali
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Quantitative Detection ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Accurate Quantification

Abstract Raw and partially treated wastewater has been widely used to maintain the global water demand. Presence of viable helminth ova and larvae in the wastewater raised significant public health concern especially when used for agriculture and aquaculture. Depending on the prevalence of helminth infections in communities, up to 1.0 × 103 ova/larvae can be presented per litre of wastewater and 4 gm (dry weight) of sludge. Multi-barrier approaches including pathogen reduction, risk assessment, and exposure reduction have been suggested by health regulators to minimise the potential health risk. However, with a lack of a sensitive and specific method for the quantitative detection of viable helminth ova from wastewater, an accurate health risk assessment is difficult to achieve. As a result, helminth infections are difficult to control from the communities despite two decades of global effort (mass drug administration). Molecular methods can be more sensitive and specific than currently adapted culture-based and vital stain methods. The molecular methods, however, required more and thorough investigation for its ability with accurate quantification of viable helminth ova/larvae from wastewater and sludge samples. Understanding different cell stages and corresponding gene copy numbers is pivotal for accurate quantification of helminth ova/larvae in wastewater samples. Identifying specific genetic markers including protein, lipid, and metabolites using multiomics approach could be utilized for cheap, rapid, sensitive, specific and point of care detection tools for helminth ova and larva in the wastewater.

scholarly journals Detection of Airborne Stachybotrys chartarum Macrocyclic Trichothecene Mycotoxins in the Indoor Environment

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 7376-7388 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. L. Brasel ◽  
J. M. Martin ◽  
C. G. Carriker ◽  
S. C. Wilson ◽  
D. C. Straus
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Stachybotrys Chartarum ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Fel D 1 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Can F 1 ◽  
Macrocyclic Trichothecene

ABSTRACT The existence of airborne mycotoxins in mold-contaminated buildings has long been hypothesized to be a potential occupant health risk. However, little work has been done to demonstrate the presence of these compounds in such environments. The presence of airborne macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins in indoor environments with known Stachybotrys chartarum contamination was therefore investigated. In seven buildings, air was collected using a high-volume liquid impaction bioaerosol sampler (SpinCon PAS 450-10) under static or disturbed conditions. An additional building was sampled using an Andersen GPS-1 PUF sampler modified to separate and collect particulates smaller than conidia. Four control buildings (i.e., no detectable S. chartarum growth or history of water damage) and outdoor air were also tested. Samples were analyzed using a macrocyclic trichothecene-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA specificity was tested using phosphate-buffered saline extracts of the fungal genera Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Memnoniella, Penicillium, Rhizopus, and Trichoderma, five Stachybotrys strains, and the indoor air allergens Can f 1, Der p 1, and Fel d 1. For test buildings, the results showed that detectable toxin concentrations increased with the sampling time and short periods of air disturbance. Trichothecene values ranged from <10 to >1,300 pg/m3 of sampled air. The control environments demonstrated statistically significantly (P < 0.001) lower levels of airborne trichothecenes. ELISA specificity experiments demonstrated a high specificity for the trichothecene-producing strain of S. chartarum. Our data indicate that airborne macrocyclic trichothecenes can exist in Stachybotrys-contaminated buildings, and this should be taken into consideration in future indoor air quality investigations.

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