TRICHOTHECENE MYCOTOXINS IN THE DUST OF VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN OFFICEBUILDINGS

Analysis of trichothecene mycotoxins in dust samples from ventilation systems of office buildings was applied as a rapid and inexpensive met hod for the detection of mycotoxins. Dust samples from three different office spaces of the Montreal urban area; reportedly affected by the ''sick buildings syndrome'', were analysed by thin-layer chromatograph y (TLC). Positive colour reaction on TLC plates with 4-(p-nitrobenzyl) pyridine, specific for the 12,13-epoxy group in the trichothecene nuc leus, was obtained for the extracts of 0.5- to 50-g dust samples. The dust samples contained at least four trichothecenes: T-2 toxin, diacet oxyscirpenol, roridine A and T-2 tetraol. The results were confirmed b y high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Screening of dust s amples from air ventilation systems of reportedly affected buildings p rovided direct evidence of trichothecene mycotoxins, with the detectio n limit estimated as 0.4-4 ng/mg dust. Thus, the dust sample analysis is suggested as a rapid technique for detecting the presence of mycoto xins in the dust of ventilation systems.