In This Issue, Sergey A. Grinshpun and Tiina
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Aerobiology n this issue, Sergey A. Grinshpun and Tiina Reponen present an interesting contribution about the ecent developments in aerobiology have [Penicillium brevicompactum, as listed by Reponen et importance of the physical principles of aerosol once again affirmed the multidisciplinary al. (2001)]. The Ea -value decreases to ˜ 63% when scienceI in order to achieve accurate results in aerobiological Rcharacter of this field, which benefits from the particle size increases to 65 µm [Pinaceae monitoring. the knowledge generated in applied microbiology, pollen, as calculated by Adhikari et al. (2003)]. palynology, as well as atmospheric physics and The transmission efficiency of most bioaerosol Continuing on the themes started in the issue 56, Shigeto chemistry. Another scientific field, which has samplers is close to 100% for the particles ranging KAWASHIMA from Japan, gives the opportunity to know emerged and fully developed through from 0.2 to 15 - 20 µm, which essentially covers all the most important topics in the science of Aerobiology in multidisciplinary interaction, is aerosol science. bacterial and fungal sizes. Pollen grains are large this country. The physical principles of aerosol science enough to be subjected to the wall losses inside the contribute to one of the most important aspects of sampling line. For example, Et of the horizontally Carmen Galán informs us about the 28th International aerobiology: the measurement of airborne oriented Burkard inlet is ˜ 90% for 24-µm Union Biological Sciences (IUBS) General Assembly and biological particles, such as pollen, fungi, and Ambrosia grains and about 75% for 65-µm the International Conference on Biological Sciences held in bacteria. Indeed, the sampling of bioaerosol Pinaceae particles. The collection of ambient Egypt last January. particles utilizes the same physical mechanisms as bioaerosol particles is often performed utilizing those used for non-biological aerosols. The the particle inertia. When collecting onto a solid Information on the new book “Plantes, pollen et allergies” sampling phases include aspiration from the surface or into a liquid using inertia, the collection edited in Switzerland, and the summaries of two new ambient environment into the inlet of a efficiency generally increases with increasing Doctoral Thesis defended in the Universities of León and measurement device, the transport through the particle size (unlike the aspiration and Córdoba (Spain) are also included. inlet to the collection area, and the bioaerosol transmission efficiencies). This is well collection on a specific medium. In addition to represented by the impaction curve of the This issue contains information about future aerobiological physical considerations, the microbiological Burkard sampler, which predicts about 100% events. The closest will be 11th International Palynological mechanisms are addressed when there is a need to collection efficiency for particles larger than 15 Congress that will be held in Granada (Spain) at the ensure the survival or biological potency of µm, but significantly poorer collection for smaller beginning of the next July and the 10th Nordic Symposium bioaerosol particles during and after sampling. particles. on Aerobiology in Turku, Finland in August. Both will give Furthermore, sample handling, storage, and the The rotating-arm impactor (commercially us the opportunity to interact with colleagues and friends bioaerosol sample analysis are usually different available as the Rotorod® Sampler) is a special from different parts of the world and to hear about new from the procedures used in general aerosol case as it does not utilize an active sampling (there perspectives and advances in Aerobiology. sampling. is no air flow through it), but collects airborne The overall physical sampling efficiency is a particles on the rotating rods. The collection Please pay attention to the rules and the deadline when product of the aspiration (Eat ), transmission (E ), efficiency depends on the rotation velocity, submitting the application form for the Young and collection (Ec ) efficiencies. Each of these ambient wind velocity, and the particle size Aerobiologist Award (Pag. 4). components depends on the particle aerodynamic (DiGiovanni 1998, Adhikari et al. 2003). The size, wind velocity and direction, as well as the inlet sampling efficiency of the Rotorod has been As it was announced in previous issues, IAA Newsletters are characteristics, such as the air velocity at the inlet, found to vary with environmental conditions. available in electronic format at the IAA website: inlet dimensions and orientation. Thus, it is difficult to predict its efficiency using http://www.isac.cnr.it/aerobio/iaa/IAABULL.html and Aerosol sampling of outdoor or indoor available theoretical models (DiGiovanni 1998). the Galician Aerobiology Network site microorganisms and aeroallergens is challenging The growing concern for human exposure to (http://www.usc.es/aerobio). Printed copies will only be due to a wide size range of the particles (from bioaerosols has created demand for advanced, sent to IAA members on request. submicron bacteria to pollen grains of about 100 more reliable and more efficient monitoring µm). An additional challenge is associated with the methods. Individual exposure to bioaerosols can We are now at the end of this academic year, and looking variation in samplers' aspiration efficiency caused best be evaluated by the use of personal aerosol back I believe that it has been very successful one for our by changing wind conditions, especially in case of monitors, as these samplers track the effects of Association. I wish every one will have relaxing holidays, outdoor bioaerosol sampling. The aspiration human time-activity patterns. Few personal and come back with new energy to tackle new and efficiency differs from 100% if the inlet sampling samplers have been tested for measuring fascinating aerobiological challenges. velocity is different from the wind velocity or if the bioaerosols. For example, Rautiala et al. (1998) sampling is not isoaxial. This may result in either used the 37-mm filter cassette for the personal Once again, my thanks to everyone who has contributed to under- or over-estimation of the bioaerosol sampling of fungal spores; Kenny et al. (1999) this issue. concentration, and the effect is greater for larger tested a modified IOM sampler for the Looking forward to hearing from you, particles. For the Burkard 1-day and 7-day measurement of airborne bacteria and fungi; recording spore trap (10 LPM, 2x14 mm slit), Agranovski et al. (2002) proposed a porous Victoria Jato operating facing a 10 m/s wind, the aspiration medium submerged in a liquid layer for the Newsletter Editor efficiency is approximately 99.9% when it samples personal sampling of fungal spores and bacteria; e-mail [email protected] particles of 2.1 - 2.3 µm in aerodynamic diameter Adhikari et al. (2003) investigated the performan- ce of the Button Personal Inhalable Sampler and the Baron and Willeke 2001). Sampling devices should of Palynology and Aerobiology, 37, 164-171. Rotorod Sampler for the measurement of the fungal be selected based on the anticipated size of the Grinshpun, S.A., Chang, C.W., Nevalainen, A. and spores and pollen grains in an ambient air biological particles of interest. Finally, the proper Willeke, K. (1994) Inlet Characteristics of environment. Adhikari et al. (2003) concluded that use of equipment (flow rate calibration, use of Bioaerosol Samplers, Journal of Aerosol Science, the pollen counts obtained with the Button and the adhesive, orientation) is important to obtain 25:1503-1522. Rotorod samplers were comparable but a representative bioaerosol samples. Kenny, L.C., Bowry, A., Crook, B., Stancliffe, J.D. significantly higher mold counts were obtained with (1999). Field testing of Personal Size-Selective the Button Sampler. Toivola et al (2002) used the References: Bioaerosol Sampler, Annals of Occupational Hygiene 43, Button Sampler for personal and stationary sampling 393-404. and detected higher concentrations of viable fungal Rautiala, S., Reponen, T., Nevalainen, A., Husman, Adhikari, A., Martuzevicius, D., Reponen, T., spores in personal samples than in stationary T., Kalliokoski, P. (1998). Control of Exposure to Grinshpun, S.A., Cho, S.-H., Sivasubramani, S., samples. This suggests that stationary sampling may Airborne Viable Microorganisms During underestimate the true personal exposure to Zhong, W., Levin, L., Kelley, A., St. Clair, H.G., and Remediation of Moldy Buildings; Report of Three LeMasters (2003) Performance of the Button bioaerosols. Thus, it is important to develop and Case Studies, American Industrial Hygiene Association Personal Inhalable Sampler for the Measurement of validate adequate personal sampling methods for Journal, 59: 455-460. Outdoor Aeroallergens, Atmospheric Environment, biological particles. Reponen, T., Grinshpun, S.A., Conwell, K.L., Wiest, 37:4723-4733. Any sampler used for bioaerosol sampling should be J., and Anderson, M. (2001) Aerodynamic Versus properly characterized. Minimum testing should Agranovski, I.E., Agranovski, V., Grinshpun, S.A., Physical Size of Spores: Measurement and Reponen, T., and Willeke, K. (2002) Development include the overall sampling efficiency curve as a Implication on Respiratory Deposition, Grana - and Evaluation of a New Personal Sampler for function of aerodynamic size of particles. Generally, International Journal of Palynology and Aerobiology, Culturable Airborne