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COMPARISON OF ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF NON-VIABLE BIOLOGICAL PM
Citation:
Menetrez*, M Y., K. K. Foarde, AND D. Ensor. COMPARISON OF ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF NON-VIABLE BIOLOGICAL PM. Presented at Engineering Solutions to IAQ Problems, Raleigh, NC, 7/17-19/2000.
Description:
The paper describes a preliminary research effort to develop a methodology for the measurement of non-viable biologically based particulate matter (PM), analyzing for mold, dust mite, and ragweed antigens and endotoxins. Using a comparison of analytical methods, the research objectives include: (1) quantifying the relationship between outdoor and indoor levels of bioaerosols, and (2) determining the fraction of ambient and indoor PM that is biological. Exposures from indoor environments are a major issue for evaluating total long-term personal exposure to the fine fraction (<2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter) of PM. It is widely accepted in the indoor air quality (IAQ) research community that biocontamination is an important indoor air pollutant. Major indoor air biocontaminants include mold, bacteria, dust mites, and other antigens.Once the biocontaminants or their metabolites become airborne, IAQ could be significantly deteriorated. The airborne biocontaminants or their metabolites can induce irritational, allergic, infections, and chemical responses in exposed individuals. Biocontaminants such as some mold spores or pollen grains, because of their size and mass, settle rapidly within the indoor environment. Over time, they may become non-viable and fragmented by desiccation. Desiccated non-viable fragments of organisms are common.