You are here:
Development of an Activity-based Air Sampling (ABS) Strategy/Protocol for use Outdoors, including US Coast Guard Installations
Citation:
Archer, J., Michael Calfee, S. Lee, E. Jakabhazy, D. Hook, R. Yaga, W. Schoppman, AND J. Gilberry. Development of an Activity-based Air Sampling (ABS) Strategy/Protocol for use Outdoors, including US Coast Guard Installations. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-23/204, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
This report summarizes novel air sampling research conducted for the multi-agency Analysis for Coastal Operational Resiliency (AnCOR) program which sought to develop and demonstrate capabilities and strategic guidelines to prepare the US for a wide-area release of a biological agent, including mitigation of impacts to USCG facilities and assets. The intent of this research was to develop novel air sampling methods for outdoors to compliment traditional surface sampling methods. Specifically, an air sampling technique was developed that incorporates aggressive air sampling (AAS) and activity-based sampling (ABS) into a feasible effort to be used for characterization and/or clearance sampling following a biological agent release. The initial version of the sampling system utilized a tent-based containment with high volume air sampling. Based on several limitations of this system, a subsequent mobile sampler version was developed that incorporated the same aggressive air system, high volume air sampling and containment into a mobile cart sampler. This novel sampler can provide another tool for responders to use following a wide-area release and inform decision makers of exposure risk.
Description:
This report summarizes novel air sampling research conducted for the multi-agency Analysis for Coastal Operational Resiliency (AnCOR) program which sought to develop and demonstrate capabilities and strategic guidelines to prepare the US for a wide-area release of a biological agent, including mitigation of impacts to USCG facilities and assets. The intent of this research was to develop novel air sampling methods for outdoors to compliment traditional surface sampling methods. Specifically, an air sampling technique was developed that incorporates aggressive air sampling (AAS) and activity-based sampling (ABS) into a feasible effort to be used for characterization and/or clearance sampling following a biological agent release. The initial version of the sampling system utilized a tent-based containment with high volume air sampling. Based on several limitations of this system, a subsequent mobile sampler version was developed that incorporated the same aggressive air system, high volume air sampling and containment into a mobile cart sampler. This novel sampler can provide another tool for responders to use following a wide-area release and inform decision makers of exposure risk.