Modeling human health risks of airborne endotoxin in homes during the winter and summer seasons

Endotoxin, a component of gram-negative bacterial cell walls, is a pro-inflammatory agent that induces local and systemic inflammatory responses in normal subjects which can contribute to the risk of developing asthma and chronic obstructive lung diseases. A probabilistic approach linking models of exposure, internal dosimetry, and health effects was carried out to quantitatively assess the potential inhalation risk of airborne endotoxin in homes during the winter and summer seasons. The study offers a risk-management framework for discussion of future studies of human respiratory exposure to airborne endotoxin. Sci Total Environ. 2010;408(7):1530-7. Epub 2010 Jan 27.