Aerosol Characteristics in a Subway Environment

Birenzvige, Amnon; Eversole, Jay D.; Seaver, Mark; Francesconi, Stephen C.; Valdes, Erica R.; Kulaga, Heather

doi:10.1080/02786820300941

Cited by 63 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Most pollutants generated in the subway operation section are not organic substances that can be used as food sources by airborne bacteria and fungi, but are inorganic particulate substances which contain a metal component 30,31) . The bioaerosol of airborne bacteria and fungi distributed in the underground space of the subway operation is less than 1% of the total aerosol 32) . The mean concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi in the station precincts, passenger carriages and platforms, which are the main activity areas of subway passengers, were 224 cfu m -3 and 117 cfu m -3 , 165 cfu m -3 and 93 cfu m -3 , and 134 cfu m -3 and 105 cfu m -3 , respectively.…”

Section: Concentration Distribution Of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure Level and Distribution Characteristics of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi in Seoul Metropolitan Subway Stations

Kim

et al. 2011

Ind Health

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Abstract:The exposure level and distribution characteristics of airborne bacteria and fungi were assessed in the workers' activity areas (station office, bedroom, ticket office and driver's seat) and passengers' activity areas (station precinct, inside the passenger carriage, and platform) of the Seoul metropolitan subway. Among investigated areas, the levels of airborne bacteria and fungi in the workers' bedroom and station precincts were relatively high. No significant difference was found in the concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi between the underground and above ground activity areas of the subway. The genera identified in all subway activity areas with a 5% or greater detection rate were Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus and Corynebacterium for airborne bacteria and Penicillium, Cladosporium, Chrysosporium, Aspergillus for airborne fungi. Staphylococcus and Micrococcus comprised over 50% of the total airborne bacteria and Penicillium and Cladosporium comprised over 60% of the total airborne fungi, thus these four genera are the predominant genera in the subway station.

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Section: Concentration Distribution Of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure Level and Distribution Characteristics of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi in Seoul Metropolitan Subway Stations

Kim

et al. 2011

Ind Health

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“…Flow cytometry offers great speed in sample processing and identification. Automation allows for more accurate enumeration of biological particles in bioaerosols and flow cytometry has been used to monitor biocontaminants in indoor aerosols (Birenzvige et al, 2003;Stetzenbach et al, 2004;Chi and Li, 2005).…”

Section: Flow Cytometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiology and atmospheric processes: biological, physical and chemical characterization of aerosol particles

et al. 2009

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Abstract. The interest in bioaerosols has traditionally been linked to health hazards for humans, animals and plants. However, several components of bioaerosols exhibit physical properties of great significance for cloud processes, such as ice nucleation and cloud condensation. To gain a better understanding of their influence on climate, it is therefore important to determine the composition, concentration, seasonal fluctuation, regional diversity and evolution of bioaerosols. In this paper, we will review briefly the existing techniques for detection, quantification, physical and chemical analysis of biological particles, attempting to bridge physical, chemical and biological methods for analysis of biological particles and integrate them with aerosol sampling techniques. We will also explore some emerging spectroscopy techniques for bulk and single-particle analysis that have potential for in-situ physical and chemical analysis. Lastly, we will outline open questions and further desired capabilities (e.g., in-situ, sensitive, both broad and selective, on-line, time-resolved, rapid, versatile, cost-effective techniques) required prior to comprehensive understanding of chemical and physical characterization of bioaerosols.

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“…Unfortunately, the microbiological contents of the aerosol in this unique built environment are relatively unknown. The majority of current microbiological assessments of subway networks had been limited to conventional culture methods (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) or limited culture-independent methods (18,19), which are likely to underestimate the true spectrum of microorganisms present. Culture-based studies are also inherently restrictive in the comparison of microbial communities between samples, as the organisms cultivated for analysis are dependent on the selective growth conditions chosen.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor-Air Microbiome in an Urban Subway Network: Diversity and Dynamics

Leung

Wilkins

et al. 2014

Appl Environ Microbiol

147

175

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Subway systems are indispensable for urban societies, but microbiological characteristics of subway aerosols are relatively unknown. Previous studies investigating microbial compositions in subways employed methodologies that underestimated the diversity of microbial exposure for commuters, with little focus on factors governing subway air microbiology, which may have public health implications. Here, a culture-independent approach unraveling the bacterial diversity within the urban subway network in Hong Kong is presented. Aerosol samples from multiple subway lines and outdoor locations were collected. Targeting the 16S rRNA gene V4 region, extensive taxonomic diversity was found, with the most common bacterial genera in the subway environment among those associated with skin. Overall, subway lines harbored different phylogenetic communities based on ␣-and ␤-diversity comparisons, and closer inspection suggests that each community within a line is dependent on architectural characteristics, nearby outdoor microbiomes, and connectedness with other lines. Microbial diversities and assemblages also varied depending on the day sampled, as well as the time of day, and changes in microbial communities between peak and nonpeak commuting hours were attributed largely to increases in skin-associated genera in peak samples. Microbial diversities within the subway were influenced by temperature and relative humidity, while carbon dioxide levels showed a positive correlation with abundances of commuter-associated genera. This Hong Kong data set and communities from previous studies conducted in the United States formed distinct community clusters, indicating that additional work is required to unravel the mechanisms that shape subway microbiomes around the globe.

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Aerosol Characteristics in a Subway Environment

Cited by 63 publications

References 22 publications

Exposure Level and Distribution Characteristics of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi in Seoul Metropolitan Subway Stations

Exposure Level and Distribution Characteristics of Airborne Bacteria and Fungi in Seoul Metropolitan Subway Stations

Microbiology and atmospheric processes: biological, physical and chemical characterization of aerosol particles

Indoor-Air Microbiome in an Urban Subway Network: Diversity and Dynamics

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