An Investigation into Techniques for Cleaning Mold-Contaminated Home Contents

This study examined the efficacy of the following treatments to reduce selected fungal spore and mycotoxin levels on materials commonly found in home contents: (1) gamma irradiation at a 10-13 kiloGray exposure, (2) a detergent/bleach wash, and (3) a steam cleaning technique. A minimum of six replic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene Vol. 1; no. 7; pp. 442 - 447
Main Authors:	Wilson, S. C., Brasel, T. L., Carriker, C. G., Fortenberry, G. D., Fogle, M. R., Martin, J. M., Wu, C., Andriychuk, L. A., Karunasena, E., Straus, D. C.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Taylor & Francis Group 01-07-2004
Subjects:	Aspergillus niger Chaetomium globosum Chlorine - administration & dosage contents Floors and Floorcoverings fungi Fungi - classification Fungi - growth & development Fungi - radiation effects Gamma Rays Housekeeping - methods Housing Humans mycotoxin Mycotoxins - analysis Mycotoxins - classification Mycotoxins - radiation effects Penicillium chrysogenum sick building syndrome Spores, Fungal - classification Spores, Fungal - growth & development Spores, Fungal - radiation effects Stachybotrys chartarum Steam sterilization Sterilization - methods Wood
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Summary:	This study examined the efficacy of the following treatments to reduce selected fungal spore and mycotoxin levels on materials commonly found in home contents: (1) gamma irradiation at a 10-13 kiloGray exposure, (2) a detergent/bleach wash, and (3) a steam cleaning technique. A minimum of six replicates were performed per treatment. Paper, cloth, wood, and carpet were inoculated with either fungal spores (Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, or Chaetomium globosum) at 240,000 spores/2.54 cm 2 of material or with the mycotoxins roridin A, T-2, and verrucarin A at 10 μg per 2.54 cm 2 of material. Treatments were evaluated with an agar plating technique for fungal spores and a yeast toxicity culture assay for mycotoxins. Results showed that gamma irradiation inactivated fungal spores, but the treatment was not successful in inactivating mycotoxins. The washing technique completely inactivated or removed spores on all materials except for C. globosum, which was reduced on all items except paper (p < 0.05). Washing inactivated all mycotoxins on paper and cloth but not on carpet or untreated wood (p < 0.001). The steam cleaning treatment did not completely eliminate any fungal spores; however, it reduced P. chrysogenum numbers on all materials, C. globosum was reduced on wood and carpet, and S. chartarum was reduced on wood (p < 0.05). Steam cleaning was unsuccessful in inactivating any of the tested mycotoxins. These results show that the bleach/detergent washing technique was more effective overall in reducing spore and mycotoxin levels than gamma irradiation or steam cleaning. However, the other examined techniques were successful in varying degrees.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23
ISSN:	1545-9624 1545-9632
DOI:	10.1080/15459620490462823