A Quantitative Risk Assessment for Stachybotrys chartarumToxic Mold
Journal Title: Advances in Clinical Toxicology - Year 2017, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
The inhalation exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum (SC) has been playing a critical role in public health domain due to its ability to produce toxins (trichothecene and other mycotoxins), that are implicated in the cases of acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhages (AIPH) in infants. Despite multiple studies reporting an association of exposure to airborne mold with negative human health effects such as respiratory, immunological, and hematological diseases, there currently are no regulatory guidelines for quantifying the airborne exposure threat associated with SC spores/toxins in indoor environments. The primary goal for this study was to use risk assessment framework as a mechanism to quantify the potential risk of death associated with known concentrations of S. chartarum spores and toxins. Additionally, an attempt was made to provide a benchmark dose level above which an adverse effect may occur in human infants. To this end, best-fit dose-response models were generated by using published animal studies, followed by stochastic risk assessment to predict the likelihood of death in infants from AIPH. By using 10% as the benchmark response level, permissible exposure limits were obtained as 413 SC-spores/m3 or 2.66 x 10 -04 mg-toxin/m3. The predicted risk of death in infants for acute 24-hour exposure to toxins ranged from 1.0 x 10-11 to 3.0 x 10-06. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using Monte Carlo simulations to identify factors that are highly correlated with risk estimates. This study suggests that S. chartarum exposure via inhalation in residential conditions may pose a risk for AIPH resulting in mortality in human infants, but a conclusive epidemiological study is needed to validate risk estimates.
Authors and Affiliations
The inhalation exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum (SC) has been playing a critical role in public health domain due to its ability to produce toxins (trichothecene and other mycotoxins), that are implicated in the cases of acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhages (AIPH) in infants. Despite multiple studies reporting an association of exposure to airborne mold with negative human health effects such as respiratory, immunological, and hematological diseases, there currently are no regulatory guidelines for quantifying the airborne exposure threat associated with SC spores/toxins in indoor environments. The primary goal for this study was to use risk assessment framework as a mechanism to quantify the potential risk of death associated with known concentrations of S. chartarum spores and toxins. Additionally, an attempt was made to provide a benchmark dose level above which an adverse effect may occur in human infants. To this end, best-fit dose-response models were generated by using published animal studies, followed by stochastic risk assessment to predict the likelihood of death in infants from AIPH. By using 10% as the benchmark response level, permissible exposure limits were obtained as 413 SC-spores/m3 or 2. 66 x 10 -04 mg-toxin/m3. The predicted risk of death in infants for acute 24-hour exposure to toxins ranged from 1. 0 x 10-11 to 3. 0 x 10-06. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using Monte Carlo simulations to identify factors that are highly correlated with risk estimates. This study suggests that S. chartarum exposure via inhalation in residential conditions may pose a risk for AIPH resulting in mortality in human infants, but a conclusive epidemiological study is needed to validate risk estimates.
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP751569
- DOI 10.23880/act-16000116
- Views 101
- Downloads 0
Hypersensitivity Reactions and Acute Hepatitis Induced by Therapeutic Doses of Ibuprofen
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptom (DRESS) is a severe adverse drug-induced reaction. Diagnosing DRESS is specifically complicated due to the multiplicity of organs involved. The main culprit drugs are...
Terrifying Code Blue Affair
8th Toxic Murder narrated in Rhymes; Riddle during Terror of Corona times; By Toxic Detective for solving Crimes; On Indian Society of Toxicology (IST)’s Paradigms; Title of the toxic riddle: *The Code Blue Affair* t...
A Mini Review on Reproductive Toxicity of Cyclosporine in Male Animals
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that is widely used in organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases. However, its potential reproductive toxicity in male animals is not fully understood. This mini-review aims...
Advanced Cognitive Emotional Regulation Therapy (ACERT) for Addiction Treatment
The last decades have shown relevant improvement in the therapeutic strategies aimed at psychiatric symptoms; however, addiction treatment remains unclear and controversial. Although there are specific medications ap...
Assessment of Tetracyclines Residues Contamination in Chicken Meat Samples of Algiers Slaughterhouses Level
Food contamination with antimicrobial residues may occur, entailing assessment and monitoring of the contamination level in edible tissue. In that way, 151 chicken meat samples were randomly collected from Algiers slaugh...