ENDOTOXINS (GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA)

The Endotoxin Dust Test analyses household dust to measure endotoxins, which are toxic components found in the outer cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria.

Endotoxins are commonly present in water-damaged, damp or flood-affected buildings and can persist even when bacteria are no longer alive. This means both viable and non-viable bacteria can contribute to endotoxin exposure.

Endotoxins are often overlooked when investigating indoor environments, yet they are frequently found alongside mould and other microbial contaminants in buildings with a history of moisture problems.

WHAT IT TESTS FOR

This test measures endotoxin levels in settled household dust, reported as EU/mg (Endotoxin Units per milligram of dust).

Key points:

• Endotoxins originate from Gram-negative bacteria
• These bacteria are widespread in the environment and commonly found in water-damaged materials
• Endotoxins do not need bacteria to be living to remain biologically active

The report includes:

• A quantified endotoxin result
• A colour-coded interpretation
• Guidance on how results compare to levels commonly used in CIRS-informed assessment
  

Endotoxin results are often reviewed alongside other dust-based tests (such as ERMI or Actino) to provide a broader picture of microbial exposure within a property.

Your Actinomycetes Dust Test kit includes:

• Swiffer (for collecting the dust sample)
• Gloves
• Ziplock sample bag
• Step-by-step instructions
• Chain of Custody form (required by the laboratory)
• Return postage to Mould Lab
  International laboratory shipping for analysis
• Results emailed directly to you
  

There are no hidden costs.

The kit includes one Swiffer cloth. This counts as one test.

Do not cut the Swiffer — cutting it creates multiple samples, which would be charged as additional tests by the lab, and may delay sending your sample until you confirm whether you want to proceed with multiple tests.

For best accuracy, use one Swiffer per room, but we understand this isn’t always practical or necessary if your goal is simply to confirm whether there is a problem within the property. You can use a single Swiffer across multiple rooms, but please note that the result will only indicate whether one of those rooms has an issue — it will not show which one.

Prioritise rooms that:

• Have known or suspected water damage
• Cause worsening symptoms when occupied
• Are frequently used (e.g., bedrooms, living rooms)
• If you’re unsure which rooms to test, consider starting with air sampling to identify higher-risk areas.

For best results, we recommend cleaning the property first and then collecting dust after 6–8 weeks of fresh accumulation.
However, this step is not essential and depends on your goals. If you want to check for historical contamination, need urgent results, or are investigating a specific event, testing existing dust can still be appropriate and informative.

• This test does not diagnose illness. It is designed to provide environmental information only.
• Actinomycetes are not always visible and cannot be reliably identified through visual inspection alone.
• Results are often most useful when reviewed alongside other tests (such as ERMI or Endotoxin) and/or discussed with a qualified practitioner or building professional.

On receipt of your sample, Mould Lab will send it on to the necessary lab via FEDEX Express Delivery (1-3 business days).

Once your sample is with the lab, the turnaround time is 7 days.