Health Aspects of Bioaerosols

OSHA Infectious Dose White Paper

“…Unlike the case where infection and immunity studies can be conducted with inbred strains of age-and sex-matched animals, such research can not be conducted in human populations due to ethical morays, as well as the logistical inability to find a genetically homogeneous population of subjects, small sample size, research expense, patient tracking, and complex secondary interactions (Salem & Gardner, 1994). Variables in the human population likely to alter infectious dose include sex, age, nutritional status, pregnancy, metabolic disorders, gastric acidity, gastric contents, gastric flora, immune competence, previous exposure to the agent, use of medications, immunization, health status (secondary infection), histocompatabilitv markers, and their genetic makeup.…”

Bioaerosols from Land‐Applied Biosolids: Issues and Needs

“…Cole et al (1999) have reported that bioaerosol particles less than 20 microns can be inhaled by humans and become lodged in the nasal cavities and mouth, while smaller particles (<5 microns) can penetrate deep into the lungs. Greatest retention in the alveoli occur when the particles are between 1 and 2 microns ( Randall and Ledbetter, 1966 ; Salem and Gardner, 1994 ). A number of human bacterial and viral pathogens are known to be transmitted by aerosols and are capable of causing sever respiratory infections.…”

Bioaerosols and Particle Release During Composting of Contaminated Sawmill Soil

“…Particles smaller than 6 µ m in diameter may be transported to the lungs, but the greatest retention in the alveoli is of 1-to 2-µ m particles (Salem and Gardner, 1994). Thus, the smallest particles (approximately 0.65 µ m in diameter or smaller) are the most harmful and may cause detrimental health effects.…”