299. NIOSH Evaluation of Air Sampling Methodologies for Bacillus Anthracis in a United States Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center

McCleery, R.; Martínez, Katerina Acosta; Burr, Gregory A.; Mattorano, Dino

doi:10.3320/1.2757919

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…(3,6) Compared with this study, McCleery et al (3) sampled much higher volumes with the Andersen sampler, which possibly accounted for the Andersen sampler being more sensitive; whereas Buttner and Stetzenbach (6) sampled similar volumes. None of the samplers tested during this study was more sensitive.…”

Section: Apsmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Some air sampling methods used concurrently did not detect B. anthracis, in contrast to other air and surface sampling results. (3) McCleery et al (3) evaluated a postal processing center in Trenton, New Jersey, for B. anthracis in 2002 and determined that the Andersen sampler was more sensitive than other sampling methods used in the study [mixed-cellulose ester (MCE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), gelatin filters, and dry filter units]. Although similar volumes of air were sampled using the different methods, the number of Andersen samples collected was six to eight times higher compared with the other sampling methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Comparison of Air Sampling Methods for Aerosolized Spores ofB. anthracisSterne

Estill

Baron

Beard³

et al. 2011

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores were aerosolized within a chamber at concentrations ranging from 1 x 10³ to 1.7 x 10⁴ spores per cubic meter of air (particles (p)/m³) to compare three different sampling methods: Andersen samplers, gelatin filters, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane filters. Three samples of each type were collected during each of 19 chamber runs. Chamber concentration was determined by an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) for the size range of 1.114-1.596 μm. Runs were categorized (low, medium, and high) based on tertiles of the APS estimated air concentrations. Measured air concentrations and recovery efficiency [ratio of the measured (colony forming units (CFU)/m³) to the APS estimated (particles/m³) air concentrations] for the sampling methods were compared using mixed-effects regression models. Limits of detection for each method were estimated based on estimated recovery efficiencies. Mean APS estimated air concentrations were 1600 particles/m³, 4100 particles/m³, and 9100 particles/m³ at the low, medium, and high tertiles, respectively; coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 25 to 40%. Statistically significant differences were not observed among the three sampling methods. At the high and medium tertiles, estimated correlations of measured air concentration (CFU/m³) among samples collected from the same run of the same type were high (0.73 to 0.93). Among samples collected from the same run but of different types, correlations were moderate to high (0.45 to 0.85); however, correlations were somewhat lower at the low tertile (-0.31 to 0.75). Estimated mean recovery efficiencies ranged from 0.22 to 0.25 CFU/particle with total CVs of approximately 84 to 97%. Estimated detection limits ranged from 35 to 39 particles/m³. These results will enable investigators to conduct environmental sampling, quantify contamination levels, and conduct risk assessments of B. anthracis.

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Section: Apsmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Comparison of Air Sampling Methods for Aerosolized Spores ofB. anthracisSterne

Estill

Baron

Beard³

et al. 2011

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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“…Or, the air samplers may have collected airborne spores, but the spores may not have been extracted from the filters. Other investigators have shown that the Andersen viable bioaerosol sampler may have superior sensitivity for collecting airborne B. anthracis spores (Dull et al 2002;McCleery et al 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacillus anthracis contamination and inhalational anthrax in a mail processing and distribution center

et al. 2004

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Aims: Four inhalational anthrax cases occurred in a large mail processing and distribution center in Washington, DC, after envelopes containing Bacillus anthracis spores were processed. This report describes the results of sampling for B. anthracis spores during investigations conducted in October and December 2001. Methods and Results: Wet swabs, wet wipes, vacuum sock, and air-filter samples were collected throughout the facility to characterize the extent of building contamination. The results showed widespread contamination of B. anthracis spores, particularly associated with one delivery bar code sorter (DBCS) machine that had sorted the spore-containing envelopes and an area where the envelopes were handled by postal workers. Spore concentrations decreased as distance from the DBCS machine increased, but spores were widely dispersed into surrounding areas. Conclusion: The spatial distribution of culture positive samples was closely related to the work areas of the inhalational anthrax cases and supported epidemiological evidence that the workers became ill from exposure to B. anthracis spores in areas where the contaminated envelopes had travelled. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this investigation were used to guide decontamination efforts and provided baseline spore concentrations for follow-up measurements after the building had been cleaned. Implementing methods to reduce aerosolization and dispersion of dust within the facility would reduce postal workersÕ potential exposures to bioterrorism agents.

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“…One sampling technique is a modified filter-holding sampler with higher aspiration efficiency, relative to other samplers (Aizenberg et al, 2000).The other sampling technique is an oil-based impinger, with the potential of reduced impaction forces, reduced re-aerosolization, and longer sampling periods (Lin et al, 1999).The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health evaluated the efficiency of several different air samplers, including high-volume samplers, and several different collection media during a health hazard evaluation at the Trenton, New Jersey, mail processing and distribution facility (McCleary et al, 2003). Differences in the sensitivity of the various samplers for collecting anthrax spores were observed.…”

Section: Air Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%