Dust Swiffer testing comprises tests for assessing environmental exposure to key moulds, bacteria and metabolites.
The most frequent species of bacteria found in buildings damaged by water are Actinomycetes this is the type of bacteria that produces biotoxins similar to mycotoxin in the mold. In general, the biotoxins of bacteria by weight and mass are much more important, for example, than mycotoxins. The test is based on the microbial identification of all bacteria in the sample. The Actino test was developed by selecting the 40 main species of Actino in the sample to create a score for Building-related Disease (BRI) situation.
Endotoxins are derived from the cell walls of Gram-Negative bacteria (GNB). Gram-negative bacteria are found almost anywhere in nature. Their toxins are found within the outer layer membrane of the GNB cell wall. They do not have to be living, therefore both viable and non-viable gram-negative bacteria contribute endotoxins.
The most common routes of endotoxin exposure are through inhalation, or through intestinal tract absorption through food or water. The health effect of endotoxins varies depending on the individual, dosage, and route of exposure. Elevated airborne concentrations are prevalent in sewage treatment plants, swine operations, cotton textile mills, poultry houses and in water damaged and flood contaminated buildings.