Detection of Satratoxin G and H in indoor air from a water-damaged building

The occurrence of Stachybotrys chartarum in indoor environments has been linked to adverse health effects as well as few cases of pulmonary haemorrhages in humans. Although the highly toxic secondary metabolites of this fungus, like satratoxin G and H, were frequently claimed with outbreaks of such diseases, these toxins have hardly been identified in the air of naturally contaminated indoor environments. Herein, a case of a LC-MS/MS-confirmed occurrence of airborne S. chartarum-toxins in a water-damaged dwelling is reported. Satratoxin G (0.25 ng/m(3)) and satratoxin H (0.43 ng/m(3)) were detected. This provides further evidence that Stachybotrys-toxins can be transferred from mouldy indoor materials into air, which could be a factor in the aetiology of health symptoms related to the sick building syndrome.