Quantitative PCR Analysis of Molds in the Dust from Homes of Asthmatic Children in North Carolina
The vacuum cleaner bag (VCB) dust from the homes of 19 asthmatic children in North Carolina (NC) was analyzed by mold specific quantitative PCR. These results were compared to the analysis of the VCB dust from 157 homes in the HUD “American Healthy Home Survey” of homes in the US. The American Relative Moldiness Index (ARMI) was calculated for each of the homes. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the ARMI values in the homes of the NC asthmatic children was 11.0 (5.3), compared to the HUD survey VCB ARMI value mean and SD of 6.6 (4.4). The median ARMI value was significantly higher(p < 0.001) in the asthmatic childrens’s homes. The molds Chaetomium globosum and Eurotium amsterdameli were the primary species in the NC homes making the ARMI values higher. Vacuum cleaner bag dust samples may be a less expensive but still useful method of home mold analysis.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 917963
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-53891; 400408000; TRN: US200817%%917
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 9(8):826-830, Vol. 9, Issue 8; ISSN 1464-0325
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Screening Tools to Estimate Mold Burdens in Homes
Correlation between ERMI values and other Moisture and Mold Assessments of Homes in the American Healthy Home Survey