Ammonia detoxifies Stachy trichothecenes? (scientific study)

[Guest guest]

Below is an interesting review/study about Stachybotrys and the role

of its mycotoxins in indoor environments. But, what attracted my

attention was the fact that ammonia and ammonium hydroxide are

mentioned as very good detoxifiers for Stachybotrys trichothecene

mycotoxins. I couldn't find that piece of information anywhere else.

Here is that part:

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Trichothecenes resist sunlight, UV light, X-rays, heat (up to 120°C),

and acids. They are readily destroyed by alkali, which allows for

detoxification with sodium, potassium, calcium, or ammonium hydroxide

or gaseous ammonia (28, 336). This has important ramifications for

building remediation.

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Wow!

The references for this claim are:

28. Bakai, S. M. 1960. In V. I. Bilai (ed.), Mycotoxicosis of man and

agricultural animals, p. 163-167. Izd. Akad. Nauk Ukr. S.S.R., Kiev, USSR.

336. Poliakov, A. A. 1948. Rukovodstvo po Veterinarnoi Dezinfeksii, p.

154-158. Ogiz-Selskhozgiz, Moscow, USSR.

Does somebody know where these studies can be obtained? Tony?

Branislav

Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious

Disease Perspective

D. M. Kuhn and M. A. Ghannoum

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine,1 Center for

Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology,2 University Hospitals of

Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 441063

Abstract

Damp buildings often have a moldy smell or obvious mold growth; some

molds are human pathogens. This has caused concern regarding health

effects of moldy indoor environments and has resulted in many studies

of moisture- and mold-damaged buildings. Recently, there have been

reports of severe illness as a result of indoor mold exposure,

particularly due to Stachybotrys chartarum. While many authors

describe a direct relationship between fungal contamination and

illness, close examination of the literature reveals a confusing

picture. Here, we review the evidence regarding indoor mold exposure

and mycotoxicosis, with an emphasis on S. chartarum. We also examine

possible end-organ effects, including pulmonary, immunologic,

neurologic, and oncologic disorders. We discuss the Cleveland infant

idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage reports in detail, since they provided

important impetus for concerns about Stachybotrys. Some valid concerns

exist regarding the relationship between indoor mold exposure and

human disease. Review of the literature reveals certain fungus-disease

associations in humans, including ergotism (Claviceps species),

alimentary toxic aleukia (Fusarium), and liver disease (Aspergillys).

While many papers suggest a similar relationship between Stachybotrys

and human disease, the studies nearly uniformly suffer from

significant methodological flaws, making their findings inconclusive.

As a result, we have not found well-substantiated supportive evidence

of serious illness due to Stachybotrys exposure in the contemporary

environment. To address issues of indoor mold-related illness, there

is an urgent need for studies using objective markers of illness,

relevant animal models, proper epidemiologic techniques, and

examination of confounding factors.

Full text: http://cmr.asm.org/cgi/content/full/16/1/144