An approach towards characterizing a reference sampler for culturable biological particle measurement

Ho, Jim; Spence, Melvin; Duncan, Scott

doi:10.1016/j.jaerosci.2004.11.020

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…However, these active air samplers also vary in efficiency and relevance for particular environments. Slit samplers were used frequently in the studies identified in this literature review; however, they have been shown in numerous studies to have lower collection efficiencies than other types of air sampler (Ho 2005); (Casewell et al 1984); (Lundholm 1982); (Placencia et al 1982). In this method, air is passed through a slit in the top of a sampling chamber and onto an agar plate that rotates.…”

Section: Search Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy schools: standardisation of culturing methods for seeking airborne pathogens in bioaerosols emitted from human sources

et al. 2012

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Schools are one of the critical social infrastructures in a society, and children are particularly at risk of lung damage and infection caused by poor air quality. The issue of healthy schools is a global concern. In this paper, we highlight the importance of airborne transmission of microorganisms in schools and the impact on children's health and wider economic and social implications. We propose the concept of air hygiene; measuring and assessing the level of bioaerosols emitted from human sources (primarily respiratory) can serve as a guide to indicate overall air quality, associated with airborne infections. Current bioaerosol sampling in schools (if carried out) is based on the use of Trypticase Soy Agar that can indicate environmental sources of bioaerosols. We suggest that a more appropriate agar could be used for bioaerosols of human origin. It is critical to develop and standardise a simple and economic method that can be used in a range of schools and environments even if resources are limited to monitor the air hygiene. The use of blood agar and different samplings methods are reviewed, and the most appropriate method is proposed for further testing and validation in order to develop a global standard method.

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Section: Search Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy schools: standardisation of culturing methods for seeking airborne pathogens in bioaerosols emitted from human sources

et al. 2012

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“…The first involved high resolution (HR) serial slit samplers. Serial slit sampling is a simple concept that describes a set of electronically networked instruments each with an address that can be activated in sequence or any combination thereof by means of a computer or timer [28]. The system permits continuous air sampling for biological particles over short to long time spans.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Typical examples of physical attributes are, slit sampler design [28], isokinetic conditions surrounding the samplers [30] and whether the material to be collected is solid particles or liquid droplets [34]. In addition, the type of filter material used may also affect the outcome of aerosol measurement [35].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Viable Spores in Bacillus atrophaeus (BG) Particles of 1 to 9 μm Size Range

Duncan¹,

Ho²

2008

CLEAN Soil Air Water

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This study examined the viable organism content in a bioaerosol disseminated from a letter contaminated with Bacillus atrophaeus (BG) (anthrax simulant). In addition to using nutrient medium based slit samplers to sample the bioaerosol in the air space where the dispersion occurred, the individual who opened the contaminated letter was also used as a bioaerosol sampler by incorporating an external filter trap positioned over the inlet of the respirator filter canister worn by the individual. The reasons for this latter approach should be clear: it would provide actual quantitative information on the inhalation exposure hazard to an individual faced with this scenario. Where bioaerosol particles may be comprised of aggregates of many smaller particles, organism viability within the aggregate is important and may have an impact on the current definition of ‘infectious dose’ or ‘lethal dose’. Both terms assume single organism counts. Results from two different methods of measuring aerosols due to opening contaminated letters are presented: slit samplers and glass microfibre filter medium placed on the inlet port of a respirator cartridge. The total number of viable bioaerosol particles measured at the inhalation port of the filter canister was 40 times greater than measured by the slit samplers. Accordingly, this may be accounted for by a distribution of bioaerosol particles comprised of aggregates of single BG spores. A model has been proposed that estimates the number of individual viable spores in a distribution of aerosol particles through a relatively simple probability density function distribution for particle size, and which incorporates realistic assumptions regarding particle diameters, packing density and spore viability.

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“…Also, a slit-to-agar array of ten STA-203 slit samplers sequentially linked to each other (Ho et al 2005) and containing GVPC or R2A plates were used for collecting viable legionellae or unspecified bacteria, respectively, for 8 (day time) or 15 h (night time). The agar collection plates were immediately transported to the laboratory and incubated in a humidity chamber (see Sect.…”

Section: Air Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, the presence of culturable airborne Legionella-containing particles was demonstrated and analyzed using slit-to agar samplers (Ho et al 2005). These samplers provide a way to estimate culturable aggregate concentrations that is a more realistic depiction of respirable particle characteristics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Airborne Legionella bacteria from pulp waste treatment plant: aerosol particles characterized as aggregates and their potential hazard

Blatny

Ho²,

Skogan³

et al. 2010

Aerobiologia

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An approach towards characterizing a reference sampler for culturable biological particle measurement

Cited by 10 publications

References 24 publications

Healthy schools: standardisation of culturing methods for seeking airborne pathogens in bioaerosols emitted from human sources

Healthy schools: standardisation of culturing methods for seeking airborne pathogens in bioaerosols emitted from human sources

Estimation of Viable Spores in Bacillus atrophaeus (BG) Particles of 1 to 9 μm Size Range

Airborne Legionella bacteria from pulp waste treatment plant: aerosol particles characterized as aggregates and their potential hazard

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