Sampling of Microbiological Contaminants in Indoor Air

Fradkin, A. M.

doi:10.1520/stp25702s

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The air collection technique followed the active air sampling method. 19 Duplicate air samples were collected upon starting ambulance runs (1-2 air collection points), and during patient services in ambulances (2-4 air collection points). Approximately, 30-40 minutes were taken in patient service in each ambulance run, and about eight minutes were taken for each point of air sample collection.…”

Section: Et H O D Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Air Quality and Bacterial Surface Contamination in Ambulances During Patient Services

Luksamijarulkul¹,

Pipitsangjan²

2015

Oman Med J

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This study revealed high microbial contamination (bacterial and fungal) in ambulance air during services and higher bacterial contamination on medical instrument surfaces and allocated areas after ambulance services compared to the start of ambulance runs. Additionally, bacterial and fungal counts in ambulance air showed a significantly positive correlation with the bacterial surface contamination on medical instruments and allocated areas. Further studies should be conducted to determine the optimal intervention to reduce microbial contamination in the ambulance environment.

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Section: Et H O D Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Air Quality and Bacterial Surface Contamination in Ambulances During Patient Services

Luksamijarulkul¹,

Pipitsangjan²

2015

Oman Med J

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“…While a detailed description of such techniques is beyond the scope of this article, several points are worth mentioning. Most traditional sampling methods (e.g., exposed agar plates) are incapable of adequately measuring either airborne or sedentary organisms, which necessitates the use of devices such as Anderson samplers (135,142,168,267,358,416). Even using such quantitative devices, there can be huge variations (up to 1,000-fold) between essentially identical specimens (168).…”

Section: Technical Problems In Determining Fungal Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, andStachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective

2003

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Damp buildings often have a moldy smell or obvious mold growth; some molds are human pathogens. This has caused concern regarding health effects of moldy indoor environments and has resulted in many studies of moisture- and mold-damaged buildings. Recently, there have been reports of severe illness as a result of indoor mold exposure, particularly due to Stachybotrys chartarum. While many authors describe a direct relationship between fungal contamination and illness, close examination of the literature reveals a confusing picture. Here, we review the evidence regarding indoor mold exposure and mycotoxicosis, with an emphasis on S. chartarum. We also examine possible end-organ effects, including pulmonary, immunologic, neurologic, and oncologic disorders. We discuss the Cleveland infant idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage reports in detail, since they provided important impetus for concerns about Stachybotrys. Some valid concerns exist regarding the relationship between indoor mold exposure and human disease. Review of the literature reveals certain fungus-disease associations in humans, including ergotism (Claviceps species), alimentary toxic aleukia (Fusarium), and liver disease (Aspergillys). While many papers suggest a similar relationship between Stachybotrys and human disease, the studies nearly uniformly suffer from significant methodological flaws, making their findings inconclusive. As a result, we have not found well-substantiated supportive evidence of serious illness due to Stachybotrys exposure in the contemporary environment. To address issues of indoor mold-related illness, there is an urgent need for studies using objective markers of illness, relevant animal models, proper epidemiologic techniques, and examination of confounding factors

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“…Detailed reviews of bioaerosol sampling methods are available. 23,68,69 Sampling focuses primarily on the recovery of viable microorganisms through methods of impingement, impaction, filtration, centrifugal separation, or electrostatic and thermal precipitation. All bioaerosol samplers fatally damage some portion of the total microorganisms collected.…”

Section: Environmental Sampling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of infectious aerosols in health care facilities: An aid to effective engineering controls and preventive strategies

Cole

Cook

1998

American Journal of Infection Control

280

272

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Assessment of strategies for engineering controls for the prevention of airborne infectious disease transmission to patients and to health care and related workers requires consideration of the factors relevant to aerosol characterization. These factors include aerosol generation, particle size and concentrations, organism viability, infectivity and virulence, airflow and climate, and environmental sampling and analysis. The major focus on attention to engineering controls comes from recent increases in tuberculosis, particularly the multidrug-resistant varieties in the general hospital population, the severely immunocompromised, and those in at-risk and confined environments such as prisons, long-term care facilities, and shelters for the homeless. Many workers are in close contact with persons who have active, undiagnosed, or insufficiently treated tuberculosis. Additionally, patients and health care workers may be exposed to a variety of pathogenic human viruses, opportunistic fungi, and bacteria. This report therefore focuses on the nature of infectious aerosol transmission in an attempt to determine which factors can be systematically addressed to result in proven, applied engineering approaches to the control of infectious aerosols in hospital and health care facility environments. The infectious aerosols of consideration are those that are generated as particles of respirable size by both human and environmental sources and that have the capability of remaining viable and airborne for extended periods in the indoor environment. This definition precludes skin and mucous membrane exposures occurring from splashes (rather than true aerosols) of blood or body fluids containing infectious disease agents. There are no epidemiologic or laboratory studies documenting the transmission of bloodborne virus by way of aerosols.

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Sampling of Microbiological Contaminants in Indoor Air

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

Microbial Air Quality and Bacterial Surface Contamination in Ambulances During Patient Services

Microbial Air Quality and Bacterial Surface Contamination in Ambulances During Patient Services

Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, andStachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective

Characterization of infectious aerosols in health care facilities: An aid to effective engineering controls and preventive strategies

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