A Water-Damaged Home and Health of Occupants: A Case Study
Table 3
This table summarizes the bacteria and endotoxins identified in various bulk samples taken from the home (EMSL Method M009) and by RealTime Laboratories (RTL), Dallas, TX.
(a)
Sample
Sample #
Media
Temp (°C)
Analytical sensitivity CFU/g
Bacteria
Colony count
CFU/g
Plastic sheeting, crawl space
#34
SBA
35
98.000
Bacillus sp Streptomyces sp. Actinomycetes
25
2.450.000
Moist gravel, crawl space
#27
SBA1
35
885
B. megaterium Bacillus sp. Total
10 7 17
8.850 6.190 15.000
Moist dirt, crawl space
#28
SBA1
35
8130
B. megaterium Bacillus sp. Total
4 6 10
32.500 48.800 81.300
Swab of wood, crawl space
#25
SBA2
35
10.000
Microbacterium hominis Staphylococcus sp (not aureus) Total
972 2 974
9.720.000 20.000 9.740.000
Dirt crawl space
#28
Blood Agar
353
—
Bacillus sp. Proteus sp Pseudomonas sp.
TNC4
TNC4
Gravel, crawl space
#27
Blood Agar
353
—
Bacillus sp. Proteus sp. Pseudomonas sp.
TNC4
TNC4
Sandal, under master bed
#36
Blood Agar
353
—
Bacillus sp. Proteus sp. Pseudomonas sp.
TNC4
TNC4
(b)
Endotoxins
Sample #
Sample type
Location
Concentration (EU/Swab)5
#3
Swab
J-Tube, Under Sink
4930
#4
Swab
Top, Kitchen Cabinet
24.800
Blank
Swab
Field Blank
None Detected
Blank
Swab
Lab Blank
None Detected
1These samples were tested to determine the major species of Bacillus. 2This sample was tested for Actinomycetes because of white mycelia type growth on wood truss. 3These samples were tested by RealTime Laboratories for the presence of bacteria species on samples tested for mycotoxins. 4CFU was not determined. TNTC: too numerous to count. 5Endotoxins were analyzed by ESML using LAL Kinetic Chromogenic Assay.