AAAR 34th Annual Conference
October 12 - October 16, 2015
Hyatt Regency
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Abstract View
Changes in the Detectability and Viability of Biological Particles Aged in the Presence of Ozone, Humidity, and UV Irradiation
SEAN KINAHAN, Yong-Le Pan, Crystal Glen, Andres Sanchez, Steven Hill, Matthew Tezak, Steven Storch, Gabriel Lucero, Mark Coleman, Chatt Williamson, Jonathan Eshbaugh, Joshua Santarpia, Sandia National Laboratories
Abstract Number: 522 Working Group: Environmental Fate of Infectious Aerosols
Abstract Biological aerosols, particles containing bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungal spores, algae, or proteins, are modified by their environment after release. The changes in viability, infectivity, and detectability of the bacteria and viruses in these particles are dictated by their unique local atmospheric conditions and exposure. In order to better understand the persistence of biological pathogens in the environment, which dictates risk assessment and hazard response, it is essential to study how combinations of atmospheric conditions affect these particles. The team utilized a Goldberg rotating drum to age biological particles under controlled relative humidity, ozone, temperature, and simulated solar light conditions. A test matrix of environmental conditions allows for comparing how these variables affect particles both individually and in combination. The fluorescence spectra, viability, and polymerase chain reaction assay sensitivities were studied for Bacillus Thuringiensis al Hakam spores and MS-2 bacteriophage particles, generated through an ultrasonic nozzle at a particle diameter of 2-3 microns. Fluorescent spectra were evaluated using a Single Particle Fluorescence Spectrometer (351 and 263 nm excitation) and TSI UV-APS, while particles were sampled for subsequent assaying using AGI-30 impingers. The individual and combined effects of ozone, UV irradiation, and humidity on both detection signatures and viability of these species are presented here.