Re: Testing a New House or Apartment

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know the cost of these QuickTox strips?

In a message dated 9/2/2006 2:21:39 AM Central Standard Time,

grimes@... writes:

Barb1283,

Keep us posted on how this works for you. This is a type of specific

testing that could have value, especially if it can detect the

mycotoxins. (Because not all Stachybotrys creates mycotoxins).

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> I found this on Policyholders of America site. Advice on how to

> test house before buying:

>

> <_http://policyholderhttp://polihttp://pohttp://poli_

(http://policyholdersofamerica.org/mold_testing.htm) >

>

> There is also a description of a five minute test for detecting

> toxins. Not sure if anyone has investigated how well it works but

> link at Policy Holders site did not work for me so here is link for

> the " Quicktox " test kits they mention there:

>

> " The indoor air quality industry now has a new analytical technology

> available in different formats. QuickToxâ„¢ strips can rapidly and

> inexpensively identify Stachybotrys and Aspergillus niger on-site in

> 5 minutes. The QuantiToxâ„¢ plate kit can confirm mycotoxin-containin 5

> spore presence and quantitate the level of spore-borne trichothecene

> mycotoxins. Our new Home Test kit for these toxic molds gives

> immediate results, at home, for the presence or absence of the mold

> spores. "

>

>

> <_http://envirologix.http_ (http://envirologix.com/) >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Barb1283,

Keep us posted on how this works for you. This is a type of specific

testing that could have value, especially if it can detect the

mycotoxins. (Because not all Stachybotrys creates mycotoxins).

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

> I found this on Policyholders of America site. Advice on how to

> test house before buying:

>

> <http://policyholdersofamerica.org/mold_testing.htm>

>

> There is also a description of a five minute test for detecting

> toxins. Not sure if anyone has investigated how well it works but

> link at Policy Holders site did not work for me so here is link for

> the " Quicktox " test kits they mention there:

>

> " The indoor air quality industry now has a new analytical technology

> available in different formats. QuickTox™ strips can rapidly and

> inexpensively identify Stachybotrys and Aspergillus niger on-site in

> 5 minutes. The QuantiTox™ plate kit can confirm mycotoxin-containing

> spore presence and quantitate the level of spore-borne trichothecene

> mycotoxins. Our new Home Test kit for these toxic molds gives

> immediate results, at home, for the presence or absence of the mold

> spores. "

>

>

> <http://envirologix.com/>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> FAIR USE NOTICE:

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have some experience with the use of Envirologix test kits.. They

need to be run on either a sample of the autual mold or on an

'impingement sample' of liquid that has had a high volume of air

blasted through it... (ie Spin Con)

[Guest guest]

They quote you a price when you call. Apparently

cost if different for volume orders and perhaps

who is ordering, i.e. someone who is likely to be

freq volume purchaser, also perhaps discount for

members of POA.

Their number is: 1-207-797-0300 or toll free at:

1-866-408-4597 or by fax: 1-207-797-7533

Hours 8-5 eastern time Mon-Friday

I plan to call them Tuesday after work.

--- bobbinsbiomed@... wrote:

>

> Does anyone know the cost of these QuickTox

> strips?

>

[Guest guest]

You should be able to hold them over the air flow

coming from a/c then or rub them over undisturbed

area of wall to wall carpet I would think. If

not they are useless for routine testing, unless

one finds visible mold which is unlikely in

viewing a home up for resale.

--- LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote:

> I have some experience with the use of

> Envirologix test kits.. They

> need to be run on either a sample of the autual

> mold or on an

> 'impingement sample' of liquid that has had a

> high volume of air

> blasted through it... (ie Spin Con)

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is not true. You need a LOT of sample to make these tests meaningful.

That means a BUK SAMPLE OF THE MOLD (thats what they recommend) or

LOTS - a HUGE volume, of air sampled centrifugally through a FLUID at

high speed.. centrifugally.. so that the spinning makes the particles

hit the buffered liquid..

This is not something mere mortals like us have the skills to do..

Barb, what you describe would almost certainly not work.. We are

talking about a huge volume of air..

Even HEPA filters won't work.. they use an epoxy glue that causes

false positives..

Read the papers on this kind of sampling, they go into a lot of detail...

Here's one.. You'll see what I mean..

http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/71/11/7376

On 9/2/06, bbw <barb1283@...> wrote:

> You should be able to hold them over the air flow

> coming from a/c then or rub them over undisturbed

> area of wall to wall carpet I would think. If

> not they are useless for routine testing, unless

> one finds visible mold which is unlikely in

> viewing a home up for resale.

>

[Guest guest]

Also see this paper:

http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/full/71/1/114

[Guest guest]

Live Simply,

you are talking about a different test than we

are and I am just hypothesizing that if the

" Quicktox " test kits cannot be used simply, such

as holding them over stream of air from air

handler or rubbing on carpet, that the " Quicktox "

test kits wouldn't help one to make a 5 minute

judgement on whether apartment is safe or not.

I'm commenting on the Quicktox test kits

advertised on Policyholdersofamerica.org site.

What you are talking about?

LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote:

> This is not true. You need a LOT of sample to

> make these tests meaningful.

>

>