Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Research Article
  • Published:

Use of portable microbial samplers for estimating inhalation exposure to viable biological agents

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 17, pages 31–38 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Portable microbial samplers are being increasingly used to determine the presence of microbial agents in the air; however, their performance characteristics when sampling airborne biological agents are largely unknown. In addition, it is unknown whether these samplers could be used to assess microbial inhalation exposure according to the particle sampling conventions. This research analyzed collection efficiencies of MAS-100, Microflow, SMA MicroPortable, Millipore Air Tester, SAS Super 180, BioCulture, and RCS High Flow portable microbial samplers when sampling six bacterial and fungal species ranging from 0.61 to 3.14 μm in aerodynamic diameter. The efficiencies with which airborne microorganisms were deposited on samplers’ collection medium were compared to the particle inhalation and lung deposition convention curves. When sampling fungi, RCS High Flow and SAS Super 180 deposited 80%–90% of airborne spores on agar — highest among investigated samplers. Other samplers showed collection efficiencies of 10%–60%. When collecting bacteria, RCS High Flow and MAS-100 collected 20%–30%, whereas other samplers collected less than 10% of these bioparticles. Comparison of samplers’ collection efficiencies with particle inhalation convention curves showed that RCS High Flow and SAS Super 180 could be used to assess inhalation exposure to particles larger than 2.5 μm, such as fungal spores. Performance of RCS High Flow sampler was also reflective of the particle lung deposition pattern when sampling both bacteria and fungi. MAS-100 and SAS Super 180 matched the total deposition curve fairly well when collecting bacterial and fungi species, respectively. For other tested samplers, we observed substantial discrepancies between their performances and particle deposition efficiencies in the lung. The results show that feasibility of applying portable microbial samplers for exposure assessment depends on a particular sampler model and microbial species.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ACGIH. Particle size-selective sampling for particulate air contaminants, In: Vincent, J.H. (Ed.). American Conference for Governmental Industrial Hygienists 1999, Cincinnati, OH.

  • Aizenberg V., Reponen T., Grinshpun S.A., and Willeke K. Performance of Air-O-Cell, Burkard, and Button Samplers for total enumeration of airborne spores. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 2000: 61: 855–864.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin P.E.J., and Maynard A.D. A survey of wind speeds in indoor workplaces. Ann Occup Hyg 1998: 20: 303–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry R.D., and Froude S. An investigation of wind conditions in the workplace to assess their effect on the quantity of dust inhaled 1998 Internal Report IR/L/DS/89/3. Health and Safety Executive, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bholah R., and Subratty A.H. Indoor biological contaminants and symptoms of sick building syndrome in office buildings in Mauritius. Int J Environ Health Res 2002: 12: 93–98.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended infection-control practices for dentistry. MMWR 1993: 42, (No. RR-8) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr4208.pdf.

  • Ciegler A. Fungi that produce mycotoxins: conditions and occurrence. Mycopathologia 1978: 65: 5–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cooley J.D., Wong W.C., Jumper C.A., and Straus D.C. Correlation between the prevalence of certain fungi and sick building syndrome. J Occup Environ Med 1998: 55: 579–584.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fang C.P., Marple V.A., and Rubow K.L. Influence of cross-flow on particle collection characteristics of multi-nozzle impactors. J Aerosol Sci 1991: 22: 403–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Górny R.L., Dutkiewicz J., and Krysinska-Traczyk E. Size distribution of bacterial and fungal bioaerosols in indoor air. Ann Agric Environ Med 1999: 6: 105–113.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill S.C., Pinnick R.G., Niles S., Pan Y.L., Holler S., Chang R.K., Bottiger J., Chen B.T., Orr C.S., Feather G., and Snyder A.P. Real-time measurement of fluorescence spectra from single airborne biological particles. Field Anal Chem Technol 1999: 3: 221–239.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinds W.C. Aerosol Technology: Properties, Behavior, and Measurement of Airborne Particles 1999, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICRP. Human Respiratory Tract Model for Radiological Protection. International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publication 66, 1994, Elsevier Science, Tarrytown, NY.

  • Jurcik B., and Wang H.C. On the shape of impactor efficiency curves. J Aerosol Sci 1995: 26: 1139–1147.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kenny L.C., Bowry A., Crook B., and Stancliffe J.D. Field testing of a personal size-selective bioaerosol sampler. Ann Occup Hyg 1999: 43: 393–404.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kwon S.B., Kim M.C., and Lee K.W. Effects of jet configuration on the performance of multi-nozzle impactors. J Aerosol Sci 2002: 33: 859–869.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Macher J.M. Evaluation of bioaerosol sampler performance. J Occup Environ Med 1997: 12: 730–736.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marple V.A., and Willeke K. Impactor design. Atmos Environ 1976: 10: 891–896.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nevalainen A. Bacterial Aerosols in Indoor Air. Publications of the National Public Health Institute, Kuopio, Finland, 1989 pp 61–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Presley S.M., Rainwater T.R., Austin G.P., Platt S.G., Zak J.C., Cobb G.P., Marsland E.J., Tian K., Zhang B., Anderson T.A., Cox S.B., Abel M.T., Leftwich B.D., Huddleston J.R., Jeter R.M., and Kendall R.J. Assessment of pathogens and toxicants in New Orleans, LA following hurricane Katrina. Environ Sci Technol 2006: 40: 468–474.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes G.R., Rohatagi S., Gillen M.S., Deluccia F., Banerji D.D., and Chaikin P. In vitro and in vivo techniques used in drug development for evaluation of dose delivery of inhaled corticosteroids. J Clin Pharmacol 2001: 41: 7–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roy C.J., and Thorne P.S. Exposure to particulates, microorganisms, β(1–3)-glucans, and endotoxins during soybean harvesting. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 2003: 64: 487–495.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teeuw K.B., Vandenbroucke-Grauls C.M., and Verhoef J. Airborne gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin in sick building syndrome. A study in Dutch governmental office buildings. Arch Intern Med 1994: 154: 2339–2345.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trenter S.C., and Walmsley A.D. Ultrasonic dental scaler: associated hazards. J Clin Periodontol 2003: 30: 95–101.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Varma J.K., Greene K.D., Reller M.E., DeLong S.M., Trottier J., Nowicki S.F., DiOrio M., Koch E.M., Bannerman T.L., York S.T., Lambert-Fair M.A., Wells J.G., and Mead P.S. An outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 infection following exposure to a contaminated building. JAMA 2003: 290: 2709–2712.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walinder R., Norback D., Wessen B., and Venge P. Nasal lavage biomarkers: effects of water damage and microbial growth in an office building. Arch Environ Health 2001: 56: 30–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wouters I.M., Hilhorst S.K.M., Kleppe P., Doekes G., Douwes J., Peretz C., and Heederik D. Upper airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms in domestic waste collectors. Occup Environ Med 2002: 59: 106–112.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao M., and Mainelis G. Investigation of cutoff sizes and effective collection efficiencies of portable microbial samplers. Aerosol Sci Technol 2006: 40: 595–606.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zacharisen M.C., Kadambi A.R., Schlueter D.P., Kurup V.P., Shack J.B., Fox J.L., Anderson H.A., and Fink J.N. The spectrum of respiratory disease associated with exposure to metal working fluids. Occup Environ Med 1998: 40: 640–647.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhiping W., Malmberg P., Larsson B.M., Larsson K., Larsson L., and Saraf A. Exposure to bacteria in swine-house dust and acute inflammatory reactions in humans. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 1996: 154: 1261–1266.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This publication was supported by grant DHHS-CDC1-K01-OH008029 from CDC/NIOSH. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC/NIOSH. The technical assistance by EMD Chemicals, Inc. (Gibbstown, NJ), AP BUCK Inc. (Orlando, FL), Veltek Associates, Inc. (Phoenixville, PA), Bioscience International, Inc. (Rockville, MD), Millipore Corp. (Billerica, MA), and Biotest Diagnostics Corp. (Denville, NJ) is appreciated.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Maosheng Yao

    Present address: Department of Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, 08901-8551, New Jersey, USA

    Maosheng Yao & Gediminas Mainelis

Authors
  1. Maosheng Yao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gediminas Mainelis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gediminas Mainelis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yao, M., Mainelis, G. Use of portable microbial samplers for estimating inhalation exposure to viable biological agents. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 17, 31–38 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500517

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500517

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links