Advanced Sampler for Measuring Exposure to Biological Aerosols

Details

• Personal Author:
  Mainelis G
• Description:
  The reliable measurement of airborne microorganisms remains a challenge, and this research worked to address this challenge. Thus, the main output of this project is a novel bioaerosol sampling tool, where electrostatic collection technique is combined with the use of hydrophobic collection surface and novel sample elution system. The newly developed Stationary Electrostatic Bioaerosol Sampler (SEBS) features low pressure drop and could be operated at a high flow rate of 20 L/min entirely by battery power for up to 8 hours. It is a lightweight and portable field device to evaluate exposures to airborne microorganisms. When the collected samples were eluted into 0.2 mL elution liquid, SEBS featured concentration rate of approx. 5×104 min-1. The concentration rate is the ratio of microorganism concentration in the air with that in the collection liquid. The higher the concentration rate the easier it is to detect the presence of airborne microorganism. Such a high concentration rate demonstrated by SEBS will enable faster detection and determination of bioaerosols, especially when sampling in low concentration occupational environments. In addition, SEBS exhibited high viability and culturability efficiency, especially with 1 mL elution liquid. Overall, SEBS is now one of the few electrostatic collectors, if any, that has been specifically developed and tested to measure airborne culturable microorganisms. The difference in the signal-to-noise between SEBS and other samplers was especially pronounced at occupational environments with low bioaerosol concentration and short sampling times, when SEBS was able to detect microorganism presence in as little as 1 minute. Concentrations of other samplers were below detection limit for short sampling times. Overall, the new sampler enables quick detection of airborne microorganisms, especially in low concentration environments thus saving time when one needs to quickly identify exposures in occupational environment. SEBS imparts lower mechanical stress to sensitive airborne cells compared to conventional sampling methods thus minimizing bias in sample analysis and allowing to obtain a more accurate characterization of exposures in various occupational environments. Intermediate and end outcomes of this project will depend on the adaptation of this technology by health and safety professionals. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Monitoring Microbiology Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Air Sampling Bioaerosols Equipment Design Exposure Assessment Microorganisms Mobile Equipment Occupational Exposure Sampling Equipment
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  New Jersey ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-19
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20065360
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R01-OH-009783, 2021 Nov; :1-19
• Contact Point Address:
  Gediminas Mainelis, PhD, Rutgers University, 33 Knightsbridge Road 2nd Floor, East Wing, Piscataway, NJ 08854-3925
• Email:
  mainelis@envsci.rutgers.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing ; Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities ; Services
• Performing Organization:
  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20100801
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20190731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:31f7ec9f23a17fea732e2864f3c4a642667a09ca2ebf3d02ba55b04cb14f3564a9ff1113980657bd320d39118b38316ae9a7e2776ee6c459bd3185f96b4912e5
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/219112/cdc_219112_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.12 MB ]