10th International Aerosol Conference September 2 - September 7, 2018 America's Center Convention Complex St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Abstract View
Understanding the Principles of Bioaerosol Sampling
GEDIMINAS MAINELIS, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Abstract Number: 1550 Working Group: Bioaerosols
Abstract Bioaerosols include airborne viruses, bacteria, fungi, pollen and their products; the size of bioaerosol particles can range from nanoscale to micron size. Various application of bioaerosol research, from exposure assessment to the investigation of bioaerosol role in atmospheric processes, require reliable bioaerosol sampling and detection methods. While the same physical principles that are applied to collect non-biological aerosol particles can also be used to collect bioaerosols, bioaerosols present an additional challenge; their viability, morphology, cell integrity, DNA structure, etc., have to be maintained to enable reliable bioaerosol analysis and identification. Thus, when sampling is performed to identify and quantify airborne biological particles, not only sampling efficiency but also collection mechanism, sample volume, sampling duration, concentration rate and accuracy of detection are important parameters.
This presentation will review traditional and emerging techniques for bioaerosol sampling and will discuss factors affecting the accuracy of bioaerosol sampling and determination, including collection efficiency of the collectors, sample volume and sampling duration, and concentration rate. Special focus will be paid to sampling techniques and parameters that allow minimizing potential damage to microorganisms during their collection. Analytical bioaerosol techniques and protocols that allow evaluating the performance of bioaerosol collectors will also be discussed.