Dust Swiffer testing comprises tests for assessing environmental exposure to key moulds, bacteria and metabolites.
ERMI Test consists of: Group 1: A. flavus/oryzae, fumigatus, niger, ochraeus, penicillioides, restrictus, sclerotiorum, sydowii, unguis, versicolor, Aureobasidium pullulans, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Eurotium amstelodami, Paecilomyces variotii, P.brevicompactum, corylophilum, crustosum, purpurogenum, spinulosum, variabile, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis/fusca, Scopulariopsis chartarum, Stachybotrys chartarum, Trichoderma viride, Wallemia sebi. Group 2: Alternaria alternate, Acremonium striatum, A. ustus, Cladosporium cladosporioides 1/2/herbarum, Epicoccum nigrum, Mucor amphibiorum, P. chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer.
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.