Measurement of indoor microbial exposure

From ERAC Edu

Time:	29.8.-2.9.2011
Place:	Lectures and practical exercises: National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department Environmental Health, Neulaniementie 7, Kuopio, Neulanen building
Credits:	2 credit points (1 ECT for lectures, 1 ECT for practical exercises)
Language:	English
Organizers:	Organized jointly by the Graduate school in Environmental Health (SYTYKE) and Environmental Risk Assessment Centre (ERACedu)
Course leader:	Anne Hyvärinen, Doc, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)

General course information

Exposure to environmental microbes is considered to have both adverse and protective health effects. Since nowadays people spend most of their time indoors the microbial load present in indoor environments is considered a major factor. Assessing the exposure to indoor microbes is crucial in order to elucidate and understand adverse as well as beneficial health outcomes. Exposure assessment is needed in both scientific studies on population level and in practical cases of individual building investigations.

The main focus of the course will be on the HOW indoor microbial exposure is measured and assessed. Practical exercises and demonstration in sampling and sample analyses with different methods will provide the students a clear picture on indoor microbial exposure assessment. This course also deepens the understanding of the students on indoor microbial exposure and related health effects. The issue of 'moldy homes' and adverse health outcomes will be discussed, as well as observed protective effects of microbes in relation to asthma and allergy.

Topics

The core of the course will deal with the indoor microbial exposure assessment and the issues of sampling, analyses and interpretation of results. This course will provide a basic introduction on health effects of microbes. We will give an introduction to the moldy house problematic and the related exposures and health effects. The course requires a basic knowledge in microbiology, as basic concepts of microbes will not be covered here.

Indicative list of topics covered in the lectures:

• Health effects of environmental microbes (health effects associated with indoor exposures, dampness/moisture/mould, and health effects associated with occupational exposures)

• Moldy building problematic (Exposures in damp/moldy buildings; how to detect moldy buildings, effects of remediation)

• Sampling (sampling strategy, factors affecting microbial levels, air and dust sampling, surface and building materials)

• Detection methods (cultivation, microscopy, DNA based methods, mass spectrometry based methods, immunological methods, bioassays, other)

• Interpretation of results and special aspects of microbial data

Indicative list of topics covered in the practical exercises/demonstrations:

• Sampling (dust sampling, air sampling, …)

• Detection methods and sample analyses (cultivation, quantitative PCR, …)

• Interpretation of microbial data and results

Lecturers

Anne Hyvärinen, Docent, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Aino Nevalainen, Research professor, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Martin Täubel, PhD, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)

Course fee

Free of charge for all participants.

Registration by August 12th, 2011.

For further information: Anne.Hyvarinen(at)thl.fi

Course reading

The course readings will consist mainly of selected scientific papers and the lectures. Additional reading, e.g.:

Prezant B, Weekes D, Miller JD (Eds). Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Indoor Mold, American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2008
Bailey H (Ed). Fungal Contamination: A Manual for Investigation, Remediation and Control, Building Environment Consultants, Jupiter, FL, 2005
Mattsson J. Mögelsvamp I byggnader. Förekomst, bedömning och åtgärder. Mycoteam Förlag, Oslo 2004
Asumisterveysohje. Asuntojen ja muiden oleskelutilojen fysikaaliset, kemialliset ja mikrobiologiset tekijät. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön oppaita 2003:1, Helsinki 2003 (in Finnish)
Asumisterveysopas. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön Asumisterveysohjeen soveltamisopas. Ympäristö ja terveys-lehti, Pori 2008 (in Finnish)

Programme

Participation in the lectures and practical exercises is in principal mandatory. The students may choose participating only the lectures (but not the practical exercises) – in that case, 1 ECT will be granted.

29.8.2011 - Lectures, Neulanen Kielo	30.8.2011 – Lectures, Neulanen Kokoushuone 1+2
09.00 – 11.30 (2.5 hrs) Introduction to the course Mouldy buildings problematic Health effects associated with dampness/moisture/mould Exposures in damp/mouldy buildings Concept of general toxicity Prevalence and types of dampness and moisture problems of buildings Effects of remediation Mouldy buildings as a public health issue Policies to control the problem Guidelines and other regulation 13.00 – 16.00 (3 hrs) Indoor microbial toxins Basics of microbial sampling indoors Sampling methods and approaches (start) sampling strategy factors affecting microbial levels	9.00-11.30(2.5 hrs) Sampling methods and approaches (continue) air and dust sampling surface and building materials, tap Quality control Detection methods (start) cultivation microscopy 13.00 – 16.00 (3 hrs) Detection methods mass spectrometry based methods other methods (mycometer, mold-dog, etc.) DNA based methods immunological methods, bioassays
31.8.2011 - Practical exercises on sampling, Neulanen	1.9.2011 – Practical exercises on detection methods, Neulanen
organized in two groups (á 2.5 hrs), depending on number of participants 09.00 – 11.30 12.30 – 15.00 Sampling (organized in 2 groups) 6-stage impactor sampling Surface swab and tape sampling Button air sampling floor dust sampling	organized in two groups (á 2.5 hrs), depending on number of participants 09.00 – 11.30 12.30 – 15.00 Detection methods (organized in 2 groups) microscopy/identification qPCR DGGE
02.09.2011 – Lectures and demonstrations, Neulanen Luentosali
9.00 - 11.00 (2 hrs) Analyses and interpretation of microbial data in public health settings for research purposes 12.30-15.00 (2.5 hrs) Discussion of the results of an example data set Practical task on sampling strategy

Participants (updated 23.8.)

Virpi Kollanus THL
Panu Rantakokko THL
Marjut Eklund UEF/Aducate
June Aluoch UEF
Anna Kokkonen UEF
Maija Tapanainen THL
Ari Kauppinen THL
Anne Karvonen THL
Heidi Kääriö UEF
Kati Järvi THL
Anna Pursiainen THL
Vuokko Lappalainen UEF
Piia Markkanen UEF