Introduction

• Also known as “sick building syndrome”, Stachybotrys chartarum is becoming a much publicized problem in the United States after large outbreaks have been reported in Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL.

• Colonies of stachybotrys release spores containing mycotoxins that cause pulmonary hemorrhaging and hemosiderosis

• These diseases are often lethal in children, and may be the cause of many deaths previously attributed to SIDS.

Background• Stachybotrys is the most common form of

hazardous mold found in up to 46 million residential homes and schools

• Stachybotrys grows on materials with a high cellulose content that are at least 94% water saturated

• Spores containing mycotoxins are released from the mold as the fungus dries up

• Mycotoxins cause pulmonary hemorrhaging and hemosiderosis upon inhalation into the alveoli and release of Satratoxin H

History of Mold Testing

• Prior to the recent media interest in hazardous molds, testing did not occur until mold was visible or until physical symptoms of residents 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. This is often difficult, since the mold usually grows between walls.

Project Description

• Designing a chemical test to rapidly identify the specific airborne mycotoxins produced by stachybotrys

• Creating an independent preventative or diagnostic device to test for the airborne toxic spores in homes that can be easily used by the layperson

Economic Analysis

• If only 2% of American homeowners purchased our product, we would sell 2 million units

• Our product itself is inexpensive to make commercially

• We estimate production costs to be $20 and we expect to make a $8 profit after marketing and packaging

• Under these conditions we could expect to make 16 million dollars

Cost Benefit Analysis

• It is believed that at least 4.6 million homes are affected by the stachybotrys mold

• It is estimated that repairs on homes and removal of mold cost on average $10,000

• Our product would only cost $30 and would function as an early detection method that would dramatically decrease the amount spent on repairs and removal

The Toxin: Satratoxin H

Progression of Stachybotrys from Growth to Illness:

Ways to Detect StachybotrysType of Test Pros Cons

Physical ID of mold

•Does not take much equipment•Easy to learn

•Unreliable (comparatively)•Could expose identifier to mycotoxin

Genetic ID of mold

•Very precise•Could determine whether the mold is a toxin-producer

•Must be taken into a laboratory•Time consuming•Requires much training•Expensive

Chemical test for mycotoxin

•Precise•Distinguishes the specific toxin produced

•Expensive lab equipment•Usually needs to be taken to a laboratory

Biological test for mycotoxin

•Very precise•Can calibrate sensitivity•Only senses mycotoxin producing species

•Expensive•Difficult technology•Requires training•May require laboratory

Biological Testing ProceduresType of Test Pros Cons

Antibody-coated refractive plate

•May be made into a portable device•Can be calibrated

•Difficult technology•Must create antibody•Difficult sensitivity calibration

ELISA •Common biological test•Precise•Simple positive/negative response

•Must create antibody•Must be done in a laboratory•May need fluorescence equipment

BIAcore •There’s one at Vanderbilt!•Precise

•Must create antibody•Limited by material properties

Single-cell calorimeter

•Very small!•Biologically calibrated•Little toxin exposure is necessary

•Cannot calibrate•Difficult design•Expensive equipment•Imprecise

Final Design

Timeline of Progress

Conclusions and Future Plans

• A working design could potentially save several million dollars in repairs, clean up, and medical care

• Our design could also prevent infant and child deaths currently associated with SIDS

• We hope to begin testing and improving our design to create a functional product by August 2002