Abstract View
Passive Bioaerosol Samplers: Efficient Tools for Long-Term and Spatially Distributed Sampling
SYDONIA MANIBUSAN, Gediminas Mainelis, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Abstract Number: 114
Working Group: Bioaerosols
Abstract
Bioaerosols consist of airborne particles of biological origin and may cause negative health effects, including the transmission of various diseases, such as COVID-19. Therefore, bioaerosol sampling and samplers are increasingly important for understanding the transmission of infectious diseases and the biological composition of our air. In addition to active samplers, passive bioaerosol samplers are useful tools to determine the presence of and exposures to airborne biological particles. Owing to their low cost and ease of use, passive bioaerosol samplers and their application see increased interest and application. This presentation will overview different types of passive bioaerosol samplers, their collection mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages, applicability in different environments, and available methods of sample analysis. Passive samplers include gravitational settling devices (such as the agar settle plates, dustfall collectors, and settling filters), electrostatic samplers, including electrostatic dust cloths (EDC), the Rutgers Electrostatic Passive Sampler (REPS), and other technologies. Settled dust has also been used as a surrogate for studying previously aerosolized biota. Passive bioaerosol sampling technology can sample over extended durations and can be distributed over large areas, a task that is not easily or affordably accomplished by active sampling devices. Although passive bioaerosol samplers are limited in their ability to quantify the volume of air sampled and have variable collection efficiencies, these devices could be complementary tools in the overall sampling strategy. They can aid in informing researchers of the biological component of our airborne environment.