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EPA lab invents bio-chip to test indoor air quality

Those concerned with threats from airborne germs and fungi can now find peace of mind by testing the air quality of their indoor environments in less than a day with a newly developed bio-chip, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said at a press conference yesterday.

“The average person spends 90 percent of their day in enclosed environments. Therefore, the quality of indoor air can greatly impact one’s health,” said Hung Wen-tsung (洪文宗), section-chief of the EPA’s Environmental Analysis Laboratory.

Taiwan’s warm and humid climate encourages the proliferation of microorganisms such as fungus and bacteria.

“Traditionally, an air-quality examination would first require the cultivation of microorganisms in air samples, which could take up to seven days,” he said.

“After that, cross-examination of the growth with each strand of harmful fungus would bring the entire process to about a month,” Hong said.

To provide the public with a more efficient test kit, the EPA worked with National Cheng Kung University and developed a bio-chip that can within hours detect 10 of the most common malignant fungi found in indoor areas within hours, he said.

“Bio-chip technologies have been used in the biotechnology industry for a long time, but this [new chip] may be the first application of bio-chips used for examination of air quality,” Hung said, adding that the laboratory may apply for a patent for the chip.

The science behind the chip is quite simple, Hung said.

Single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide probes of four common harmful indoor fungi identified by the American Industrial Hygiene Association, including Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus fumigates, Aspergillus flavus and Stachybotrys chartarum, as well as six other strands of harmful indoor fungi commonly found in Taiwan, were implanted onto a single bio-chip, Hung said.

“In enclosed spaces, fungi can induce asthma or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals,” he said.

When airborne microorganisms come into contact with the chips, the kit would quickly identify the 10 strands of fungi of which the chips contain DNA materials, Hung said.

Saying that the administration is pushing for an indoor air quality regulation at the legislature, Hung added that if the law were passed, the EPA would first implement the test kit in elementary schools and kindergarten classrooms.

However, Hung also said that the kit would merely provide a tool for air-quality assessment.

“The most important aspect of maintaining a healthy indoor environment is to keep spaces dry and well ventilated,” Hung said.

Indoor areas frequented by senior citizens, young children, or patients could also consider installing High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter (HEPA-grade) units, he said.


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