Molds and mycotoxins in dust from water-damaged homes in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina

• Published in: Indoor air Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 153 - 158
• Main Authors: Bloom, E., Grimsley, L. F., Pehrson, C., Lewis, J., Larsson, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-04-2009
• Subjects: Air Microbiology; Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Aspergillus; Basic Medicine; Cladosporium; Cyclonic Storms; Disasters; Dust - analysis; Fungi - growth & development; Housing; Humans; Hurricane Katrina; Mass spectrometry; Medical and Health Sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper; Microbiology in the medical area; Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området; Molds; Mycotoxins; Mycotoxins - analysis; New Orleans; PCR; Penicillium; Stachybotrys; New Orleans; USA, Louisiana, New Orleans; Penicillium; Health risks; Hydrolysis products; Stachybotrys; Molds; Hurricanes; Floodings; Macrocyclics; Quantitative PCR; Polymerase chain reaction; Dust collected; Aspergillus; Gas chromatography; Dust; Cladosporium; Hurricane katrina; Dust samples; New Orleans; Mass spectrometry; PCR
• ISSN: 0905-6947; 1600-0668; 1600-0668
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2008.00574.x

Dust collected in New Orleans homes mold-contaminated because of the flooding after hurricane Katrina was analyzed for molds and mycotoxins. The mycoflora was studied by cultivation and quantitative PCR for selected molds. The most commonly found mold taxa were Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. Verrucarol, a hydrolysis product of macrocyclic trichothecenes predominately produced by Stachybotrys spp. was identified in three dust samples by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and sterigmatocystin (produced by various Aspergillus spp.) was found in two samples by high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This is the first demonstration of mycotoxins in Katrina-associated dust samples. The analytical methods used represent valuable tools in further studies on bioaerosol exposure and health risks.
In the aftermath of natural disasters like hurricane Katrina water-damages on infrastructure and public and private property are often associated with health risks for remediation workers and returning residents. In the case of New Orleans evaluations of health hazards, health studies, and assessments of bioaerosol have been conducted previously. However, until now mycotoxins have not been addressed. Our study shows, for the first time, the presence of mycotoxins in dust collected in houses in New Orleans mold-contaminated because of the hurricane Katrina. The results may highlight the potential health threats posed by mold aerosols in post-disaster inhabited areas.