Mycotoxins in house dust — an underestimated problem?

People in developed countries spend up to 90% of their time indoors. This led to an increased awareness for problems regarding indoor environment in recent years. It is known that especially spores, mycelia and organic compounds released by the microbial colony e.g. mycotoxins and microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) can be harmful to human health. The aim of a pilot program is to investigate mould-dependent health complaints in a burdened population of the city of Leipzig, Germany. Phase 1 of the investigation includes inspection of dwellings, determination of exposure and clinical examination of exposed persons. In phase 2 it is planned to analyse the influence of burdens with mould spores and their metabolites like mycotoxins on health complaints. House dust seems to be a representative sample medium for sedimented spores and mycelia which may contain mycotoxins. The analysis will be performed by LC-MS-MS after extraction of the crude dust samples by accelerated solvent extraction. The qualitative proof of mycotoxins in house dust was successful in a case study with a high burden.