Evaluation of Portable Samplers for Viable Bioaerosols

描述：本资助申请响应PA-01-032“职业安全与健康研究的职业发展资助”。它也响应NORA的优先研究领域：传染病、室内环境和暴露评估方法。接触空气传播的生物制剂，特别是接触致病性或致敏性微生物，可在职业人群和一般人群中引起广泛的呼吸系统疾病和其他健康疾病。此外，某些生物制剂，如引起炭疽的炭疽芽孢杆菌孢子，可能被用作生物战制剂，这是一种威胁。暴露于空气中微生物的评估通常是使用为监测活微生物气溶胶而设计的空气采样器。目前，越来越多地使用便携式采样器来检测可行的气溶胶。在这项研究中，我们将评估最近进入市场或修改以满足当今要求的七种便携式生物气溶胶采样器的物理和生物性能。在实验室环境中确定的具有不同生物和非生物测试颗粒的测试取样器的物理收集效率将与可吸入颗粒的惯例进行比较。便携式采样器的生物学性能将与Andersen冲击器和适用于活性生物气溶胶的吸入式采样器进行比较。将使用三种细菌和三种真菌来研究便携式采样器的生物学性能。测试生物包括一种炭疽芽孢杆菌的模拟物，它将允许在收集空气传播的炭疽芽孢杆菌孢子时确定采样器的效率。还将在不同季节的室内和室外野外环境中评估便携式采样器收集空气中细菌和真菌的效率。根据获得的结果，研究人员将为使用已测试的便携式生物气溶胶采样器提出实用建议，特别是当它与暴露评估和颗粒进入呼吸系统有关时。这项研究提出的建议可供从事生物气溶胶暴露监测的卫生专业人员和其他利益攸关方使用。未来的研究方向将是开发便携式生物气溶胶采样器，其采样特性符合可吸入，胸部和呼吸性颗粒的惯例。

DESCRIPTION: This grant application responds to PA-01-032 "Career Development Grants in Occupational Safety and Health Research". It also responds to NORA's Priority Research Areas: Infectious Diseases, Indoor Environment, and Exposure Assessment Methods. Exposure to airborne biological agents, especially to pathogenic or allergenic microorganisms, may cause a wide range of respiratory and other health disorders in occupational and general populations. Also, there is a threat that certain biological agents, such as anthrax causing Bacillus anthracis spores, may be used as biowarfare agents. Exposure to airborne microorganisms is often assessed by using air samplers designed for monitoring viable microbial aerosols. Currently, there is an increased use of portable samplers for viable aerosols. In this research we will evaluate the physical and biological performances of seven portable bioaerosol samplers that have recently been introduced into the market or modified to meet today's requirements. The physical collection efficiency of the test samplers determined in a laboratory setting with different biological and non-biological test particles will be compared against conventions for inhalable particles. The biological performance of the portable samplers will be compared against an Andersen impactor and an inhalation-based sampler adapted for viable bioaerosols. The biological performance of the portable samplers will be investigated using three species of bacteria and three species of fungi. The test organisms include a simulant of Bacillus anthracis, which will allow determining the efficiency of the samplers when collecting airborne B. anthracis spores. The efficiency of portable samplers when collecting airborne bacteria and fungi will also be evaluated in indoor and outdoor field environments during different seasons. Based on the obtained results, the researchers will develop practical recommendations for using the tested portable bioaerosol samplers, especially as it relates to exposure assessment and particle penetration into the respiratory system. The recommendations produced by this research can then be used by the health professionals and other stakeholders performing bioaerosol exposure monitoring. Future directions of this research will be development of a portable bioaerosol sampler, sampling characteristics of which follow conventions for inhalable, thoracic and respirable particles.