Development and validation of the TefTex electrostatic wipe for indoor dust sampling
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop and validate a cost-effective method for the collection of indoor dust samples for characterization of endotoxin and ß-(1,3)-D-glucan using TefTex electrostatic wipes – pyrogen-free, polytetrafluoroethylene fibre sampling cloths. Trained research technicians visited 39 homes in Vancouver, Canada in 2009–2010 and collected two wipe samples from door tops and door frames in a bedroom and livingroom.Vacuum-collected dust samples were also obtained from flooring. Glucan and endotoxin were measured by LAL, using previously described methods. The combined endotoxin levels found on the 2 wipes were correlated with endotoxin content of vacuum collected dust (r = 0.262, p = 0.021). Similarly, combined glucan results for the wipes were correlated well with vacuum collected dust samples (r = 0.326, p = 0.004). These results suggest that TefTex wipes may provide a meaningful point-in-time means of ranking endotoxin and glucan content of dust in the home environment.