Problems associated with the assessment of airborne microorganisms

doi:10.1016/0021-8502(92)90497-J

Journal of Aerosol Science

Volume 23, Supplement 1, 1992, Pages 655-658

https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-8502(92)90497-J Get rights and content

Abstract

The problems encountered when sampling airborne microorganisms are described and discussed.

References (9)

C.F. Barrett et al.
Wind tunnel Measurements of the Inlet Efficiency of four samplers of suspended particulate matter
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
General methods for the gravimetric determination of respirable and total inhalable dust
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Monitoring Strategies for toxic substances
E.W. Henningson
Samplers for bioaerosols

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Cited by (11)

Orthogonal analysis of mass and spectral based technologies for the field detection of bioaerosols
2004, Analytica Chimica Acta
Citation Excerpt :
Extended periods of monitoring in the day to week timeframe minimize the impact of the above problems, because the objectives usually emphasize atmospheric trends and directions. Collection of atmospheric aerosols is performed routinely with a variety of devices, and off-line identification analyses yield individual substance information on the collected aggregate [33–35]. However, the compounds/substances found in the aerosol aggregate can only be said to have been in the vicinity of the concentrator sometime during the extended timeframe of the collection.
The detection and qualitative characterization of outdoor ambient bioaerosols have a relatively greater sense of urgency in recent times.
Mass-based pyrolysis–gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (Py–GC–IMS) and particle-based UV-vis fluorescence technologies were spatially situated for spore and protein bioaerosol detection in a Southeastern prairie region in Alberta, Canada. Orthogonal systems analyses versus individual detector results were investigated for the temporal characterization of bioaerosols. The systems responded to low agent analyte-containing particles per liter of air (PLA) concentrations, and were verified by reference samplers. An orthogonal technologies sensor system appears to be attractive for a high confidence detection of presence and temporal characterization of bioaerosols.
Assessing bactericidal properties of materials: The case of metallic surfaces in contact with air
2002, Journal of Microbiological Methods
A new method for assessing bactericidal properties of metallic materials, soiled by aerosol, was developed and applied to stainless steel in conditions close to reality. The airborne bacteria survival on different stainless steel grades and massive copper is presented here. The investigating bacterium was Enterococcus faecalis, which is a well-known contaminant strain in the indoor environments. It was observed that the bacterial aerosol lethality increased proportionally with the relative humidity (RH) of the environment. A significant difference in survival rate was measured depending on the tested supports, the greatest lethality being observed on clean massive copper. Moreover, the addition of nutrients on metallic surfaces, even in small quantities, was enough to ensure the revival of quiescent microorganisms.
Review: Methods of monitoring for process micro-organisms in biotechnology
1996, Annals of Occupational Hygiene
Biotechnology encompasses the use of micro-organisms and other biological agents in a range of processes, including the production of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, enzymes, food and drink. This review looks at the sources of occupational exposure by describing the way in which process micro-organisms, some of which could be hazardous to health, can be released into the workplace or the environment. It also examines current practices, monitoring strategies and procedures used to monitor for release of micro-organisms during biotechnology processes and looks forward to methods that may be of use in the future.
A wind tunnel evaluation of the physical sampling efficiencies of three bioaerosol samplers
1994, Journal of Aerosol Science
The physical sampling efficiency of three commonly used samplers for bioaerosols has been determined under controlled conditions in a wind tunnel. Non-biological, monodisperse test aerosols of aerodynamic diameters up to 23 μm were used in a range of wind speeds up to 5 m s⁻¹. The performance of each sampler type was different. For the Andersen Microbial Sampler and the Casella Slit Sampler, sampling efficiency dropped both with increasing wind speed and particle size, while for the Aerojet General Glass Cyclone, performance was generally independent of windspeed and particle size. This work is part of a larger study to determine both the physical and the biological sampling efficiencies of currently used samplers for bioaerosols. The results highlight the importance of understanding the performance of aerosol monitoring equipment, if results obtained in the field are to be interpreted correctly.
The assessment of bioaerosols: A critical review
1994, Journal of Aerosol Science
The main objective of this work is to review methods for the assessment of bioaerosols and consider some of the problems which arise. This paper investigates the main techniques currently available for sampling and detecting airborne microorganisms, examines a number of factors which can affect their survival, and discusses problems associated with the production of test bioaerosols. Ultimately it is hoped that a better understanding of these will provide a basis for the development of standard assessment protocols for bioaerosols and also help in the establishment of bioaerosol standards.
The need for aerobiological monitoring in occupational hygiene, containment of bioprocessing equipment, deliberate release of microorganisms, contamination of food and pharmaceutical products and general scientific research, has been identified. Despite the fact that aerobiological monitoring has wide application and may be carried out to comply with guidelines or regulations there are, at present, no standard protocols for sampling airborne microorganisms. Six criteria, which need to be considered when carrying out any aerobiological monitoring, have been identified and defined.
Samplers used to collect bioaerosols are described and areas of their application highlighted. Few have been fully characterised in terms of their inlet or bioefficiencies. Samplers not currently used but which have potential use in bioaerosol monitoring have also been identified and described. A series of microbial assay methods are described in terms of their sensitivity, speed, and their relationship with the choice of sampler. The interdependence of sampling and assay methods is discussed.
Methods for the production of bioaerosols, from both liquid suspension and dry powder, are described. Techniques for the controlled production of poly and monodisperse aerosols are discussed. The survival characteristics of microorganisms are considered because they can greatly influence the effectiveness of sampling and assay methods. A number of recommendations and a programme of research work are outlined in order to further the understanding of the characteristics, behaviour, and assessment of bioaerosols prior to consideration of the possible establishment of bioaerosol standards for test purposes.
Bioaerosols in outdoor air - Statement of environmental medical assessment criteria on the basis of an epidemiological cross sectional study
2004, Gefahrstoffe Reinhaltung der Luft

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Problems associated with the assessment of airborne microorganisms

Abstract

Wind tunnel Measurements of the Inlet Efficiency of four samplers of suspended particulate matter

General methods for the gravimetric determination of respirable and total inhalable dust

Monitoring Strategies for toxic substances

Samplers for bioaerosols