Is your office making you sick?
A new study suggests the answer might be yes, as scientists have uncovered dozens of viruses lurking in dust from buildings.
Researchers from Ohio State University collected dust samples from several buildings, including schools, university residence halls, and office buildings.
Using state–of–the–art tools, they analysed the samples for viruses.
And worryingly, the results revealed 54 distinct bugs across the 27 dust samples.
This includes SARS–CoV–2 (the virus that causes Covid–19), influenza, norovirus, and Epstein–Barr virus.
‘It’s really important that we understand broadly how to track disease in our community,’ said Karen Dannemiller, senior author of the study.
‘Similar to wastewater monitoring, which tracks disease clusters on a large–scale level, we’ve created an intermediate tool that has those same benefits for a smaller population.’
Using state–of–the–art tools, they analysed the samples for viruses. And worryingly, the results revealed 54 distinct bugs across the 27 dust samples
Is your office making you sick? A new study suggests the answer might be yes, as scientists have uncovered dozens of viruses lurking in dust from buildings (stock image)
Previous studies have shown how viruses can survive on surfaces for anywhere from a few hours to several weeks.
However, until now, how long they linger in the dust has remained a mystery.
‘Building dust accumulates biological material shed by occupants, integrating signatures from the air, surfaces, and human activity over time,’ the researchers explained in their study, published in Building and Environment.
‘Bulk dust can serve as a stable reservoir of microbial and viral nucleic acids and can be used for high–resolution environmental monitoring.’
To get to the bottom of it, the team took 27 dust samples from buildings in Ohio.
This included four from a daycare, one from a pre–school, two from an elementary school, two from a recreational centre, one from university residence halls, one from a university library, and six from office buildings.
To take a targeted look at the viruses hiding within, the researchers used two methods.
Firstly, they used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) – a technique used to amplify small segments of DNA.
The team took 27 dust samples from buildings in Ohio. This included four from a daycare, one from a pre–school, two from an elementary school, two from a recreational centre, one from university residence halls, one from a university library, and six from office buildings
Next, they turned to a novel sequencing technique that detects the RNA molecules that viruses leave behind after they decay.
By comparing the findings in the samples to a library of 200 potential pathogens, the team were able to measure and categorise multiple viruses at once.
Overall, the results uncovered 54 viruses in the samples.
‘Viruses detected included known respiratory pathogens such as SARS–CoV–2, influenza virus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus; enteric pathogens such as norovirus and adenovirus; other pathogens such as Human papillomavirus; and non–pathogenic viruses such as Torque Teno Virus,’ the researchers explained.
‘At least one type of rhinovirus was present in 85% of the samples.’
Looking at specific locations, the researchers also found varying levels of viruses.
Childcare facilities were found to harbour higher levels of MW polyomavirus, Human cytomegalovirus, and WU polyomavirus – viruses known to be associated with childhood infection.
The team did not measure the viability of the sampled viruses.
However, they say it’s ‘unlikely’ the leftover viral particles in dust would still be infectious, depending on the bug.
Overall, the findings suggest that dust could be a useful way to monitor buildings for viral outbreaks in the future.
Dr Dannemiller said: ‘Research like this is useful for monitoring a range of buildings where there’s a variety of things that you’re concerned about.
‘By using that information to help pinpoint those issues, it’s possible to improve our decisions about where to direct limited mitigation resources.’
