What is endotoxin and how are we exposed to it?
Endotoxin is a biologically active lipopolysaccharide (LPS), one of a family of molecules that compose the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. It can be detected in the presence of gram-negative bacteria whether or not the bacteria are alive. Since gram-negative bacteria are ubiquitous in our environment, the population is constantly exposed to low levels of endotoxin. Endotoxin can be found in high concentrations in organic dusts such as those found in agricultural settings, in air pollution, and in household dusts in both rural and urban homes. These dusts–found on surfaces and in carpet, soils, and grain–can be aerosolized, raising the possibility of higher exposures to small children. Does inhalation of endotoxin cause asthma in children? In children with asthma, respiratory symptoms can become more severe with the inhalation of endotoxin because exposure can exacerbate airflow obstruction and inflammation. Although not all children exposed to endotoxin and other environmen
