A comparison of rapid and conventional measures of indicator bacteria as predictors of waterborne protozoan pathogen presence and density.

E. coli and enterococci in recreational waters are monitored as indicators of fecal contamination, pathogen presence, and health risk. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests for fecal indicator bacteria can provide beach managers with same-day information about water quality, unlike culture methods which provide that information the following day.

Spore trap analysis and MSQPCR in evaluating mold burden: a flooded gymnasium case study.

A school gymnasium was accidentally flooded by the fire-suppression sprinkler system. The surface water was removed immediately and, after 10 days, a professional firm engaged to dry the environment. Twenty five days after the flooding, the school decided to evaluate whether there was any mold growth in the gymnasium.

Screening tools to estimate mold burdens in homes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop screening tools that could be used to estimate the mold burden in a home which would indicate whether more detailed testing might be useful.

Methods: Two possible screening methods were considered for mold analysis: use of vacuum cleaner bag dust rather than the standard protocol dust samples and reducing the number of molds needed to be quantified resulting in the creation of an alternative mold burden scale.

Results: Vacuum bag dust analysis placed the estimate of mold burden into the upper or lower half of the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index scale.