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Guo L, Liu J, Liu Y, Ren J, Xiao J. Study on quantitative generation technology of bio-fluorescence calibration particles based on inkjet generator. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174633. [PMID: 38992348 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Accurate measurements are critical for timely early warning and effective prevention of epidemics due to the continuing impact of bioaerosols on human health. In recent years, researchers have been focused on developing and calibrating online monitoring instruments. However, there is still a lack of laboratory-generated standard aerosol samples suitable for calibration. Therefore, in this study, we utilized a self-developed Ink Jet Aerosol Generator (H-IJAG) to achieve controllable generation of monodisperse aerosol standard particles. The Aerosol Particle Size Spectrometer (APSS, TOPAS 323) was employed as the particle detector. The diameter of the droplet was calculated by measuring the projected area of the droplet in the same image using Image-J software. Experimental results demonstrated that under standardized inkjet parameters, H-IJAG exhibited good reliability and reproducibility, and generated solid particles within (0.4-15) μm. To better simulate the laser-induced fluorescence emission properties of ambient bioaerosol, tryptophan (Trp) and 7-hydroxycoumarin-4-acetic acid (7-HCA) were selected as solutes of the laboratory-generated aerosol samples, which are known bio-fluorescent materials. According to the law of propagation of uncertainty, the relative uncertainty of the volume equivalent diameter of Trp and 7-HCA solid particles by H-IJAG were 0.42 %, while the relative uncertainty of the particle number concentrations of Trp and 7-HCA solid particles generated by H-IJAG were 1.4 %. This optimized IJAG technique provides a promising solution for the accurate calibration of bioaerosol monitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Clean and Efficient Coal Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; College of Chemical Engineering and Technology (Taiyuan University of Technology), Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- Environmental Metrology Center, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Yue Liu
- Environmental Metrology Center, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jun Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Clean and Efficient Coal Utilization, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; College of Chemical Engineering and Technology (Taiyuan University of Technology), Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Ji Xiao
- Environmental Metrology Center, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
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An T, Liang Z, Chen Z, Li G. Recent progress in online detection methods of bioaerosols. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 4:442-454. [PMID: 38933213 PMCID: PMC10239662 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The aerosol transmission of coronavirus disease in 2019, along with the spread of other respiratory diseases, caused significant loss of life and property; it impressed upon us the importance of real-time bioaerosol detection. The complexity, diversity, and large spatiotemporal variability of bioaerosols and their external/internal mixing with abiotic components pose challenges for effective online bioaerosol monitoring. Traditional methods focus on directly capturing bioaerosols before subsequent time-consuming laboratory analysis such as culture-based methods, preventing the high-resolution time-based characteristics necessary for an online approach. Through a comprehensive literature assessment, this review highlights and discusses the most commonly used real-time bioaerosol monitoring techniques and the associated commercially available monitors. Methods applied in online bioaerosol monitoring, including adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence, laser/light-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and bioaerosol mass spectrometry are summarized. The working principles, characteristics, sensitivities, and efficiencies of these real-time detection methods are compared to understand their responses to known particle types and to contrast their differences. Approaches developed to analyze the substantial data sets obtained by these instruments and to overcome the limitations of current real-time bioaerosol monitoring technologies are also introduced. Finally, an outlook is proposed for future instrumentation indicating a need for highly revolutionized bioaerosol detection technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhishu Liang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Argyropoulos CD, Skoulou V, Efthimiou G, Michopoulos AK. Airborne transmission of biological agents within the indoor built environment: a multidisciplinary review. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2022; 16:477-533. [PMID: 36467894 PMCID: PMC9703444 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-022-01286-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The nature and airborne dispersion of the underestimated biological agents, monitoring, analysis and transmission among the human occupants into building environment is a major challenge of today. Those agents play a crucial role in ensuring comfortable, healthy and risk-free conditions into indoor working and leaving spaces. It is known that ventilation systems influence strongly the transmission of indoor air pollutants, with scarce information although to have been reported for biological agents until 2019. The biological agents' source release and the trajectory of airborne transmission are both important in terms of optimising the design of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems of the future. In addition, modelling via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) will become a more valuable tool in foreseeing risks and tackle hazards when pollutants and biological agents released into closed spaces. Promising results on the prediction of their dispersion routes and concentration levels, as well as the selection of the appropriate ventilation strategy, provide crucial information on risk minimisation of the airborne transmission among humans. Under this context, the present multidisciplinary review considers four interrelated aspects of the dispersion of biological agents in closed spaces, (a) the nature and airborne transmission route of the examined agents, (b) the biological origin and health effects of the major microbial pathogens on the human respiratory system, (c) the role of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in the airborne transmission and (d) the associated computer modelling approaches. This adopted methodology allows the discussion of the existing findings, on-going research, identification of the main research gaps and future directions from a multidisciplinary point of view which will be helpful for substantial innovations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasiliki Skoulou
- B3 Challenge Group, Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX UK
| | - Georgios Efthimiou
- Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX UK
| | - Apostolos K. Michopoulos
- Energy & Environmental Design of Buildings Research Laboratory, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
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Tian J, Yan C, Alcega SG, Hassard F, Tyrrel S, Coulon F, Nasir ZA. Detection and characterization of bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants: Challenges and opportunities. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:958514. [PMID: 36439798 PMCID: PMC9684734 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.958514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid population growth and urbanization process have led to increasing demand for wastewater treatment capacity resulting in a non-negligible increase of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in several cities around the world. Bioaerosol emissions from WWTPs may pose adverse health risks to the sewage workers and nearby residents, which raises increasing public health concerns. However, there are still significant knowledge gaps on the interplay between process-based bioaerosol characteristics and exposures and the quantification of health risk which limit our ability to design effective risk assessment and management strategies. This review provides a critical overview of the existing knowledge of bioaerosol emissions from WWTPs including their nature, magnitude and size distribution, and highlights the shortcoming associated with existing sampling and analysis methods. The recent advancements made for rapid detection of bioaerosols are then discussed, especially the emerging real time detection methods to highlight the directions for future research needs to advance the knowledge on bioaerosol emissions from WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghan Tian
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Sonia Garcia Alcega
- School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Francis Hassard
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sean Tyrrel
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
| | - Zaheer Ahmad Nasir
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
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5
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Compendium of analytical methods for sampling, characterization and quantification of bioaerosols. ADV ECOL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Ferguson RMW, Neath CEE, Nasir ZA, Garcia-Alcega S, Tyrrel S, Coulon F, Dumbrell AJ, Colbeck I, Whitby C. Size fractionation of bioaerosol emissions from green-waste composting. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 147:106327. [PMID: 33387881 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Particle size is a significant factor in determining the dispersal and inhalation risk from bioaerosols. Green-waste composting is a significant source of bioaerosols (including pathogens), but little is known about the distribution of specific taxa across size fractions. To characterise size fractionated bioaerosol emissions from a compost facility, we used a Spectral Intensity Bioaerosol Sensor (SIBS) to quantify total bioaerosols and qPCR and metabarcoding to quantify microbial bioaerosols. Overall, sub-micron bioaerosols predominated, but molecular analysis showed that most (>75%) of the airborne microorganisms were associated with the larger size fractions (>3.3 µm da). The microbial taxa varied significantly by size, with Bacilli dominating the larger, and Actinobacteria the smaller, size fractions. The human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus dominated the intermediate size fractions (>50% da 1.1-4.7 µm), indicating that it has the potential to disperse widely and once inhaled may penetrate deep into the respiratory system. The abundance of Actinobacteria (>60% at da < 2.1 µm) and other sub-micron bioaerosols suggest that the main health effects from composting bioaerosols may come from allergenic respiratory sensitisation rather than directly via infection. These results emphasise the need to better understand the size distributions of bioaerosols across all taxa in order to model their dispersal and to inform risk assessments of human health related to composting facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M W Ferguson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Charlotte E E Neath
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK; School of Applied Sciences, University of South Wales, Cemetery Road, Glyntaff, Pontypridd CF37 4BD, UK
| | - Zaheer A Nasir
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sonia Garcia-Alcega
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sean Tyrrel
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Alex J Dumbrell
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Ian Colbeck
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Corinne Whitby
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK.
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Nair AT. Bioaerosols in the landfill environment: an overview of microbial diversity and potential health hazards. AEROBIOLOGIA 2021; 37:185-203. [PMID: 33558785 PMCID: PMC7860158 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-021-09693-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Landfilling is one of the indispensable parts of solid waste management in various countries. Solid waste disposed of in landfill sites provides nutrients for the proliferation of pathogenic microbes which are aerosolized into the atmosphere due to the local meteorology and various waste disposal activities. Bioaerosols released from landfill sites can create health issues for employees and adjoining public. The present study offers an overview of the microbial diversity reported in the air samples collected from various landfill sites worldwide. This paper also discusses other aspects, including effect of meteorological conditions on the bioaerosol concentrations, sampling techniques, bioaerosol exposure and potential health impacts. Analysis of literature concluded that landfill air is dominated by microbial dust or various pathogenic microbes like Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Aspergillus fumigatus. The bioaerosols present in the landfill environment are of respirable sizes and can penetrate deep into lower respiratory systems and trigger respiratory symptoms and chronic pulmonary diseases. Most studies reported higher bioaerosol concentrations in spring and summer as higher temperature and relative humidity provide a favourable environment for survival and multiplication of microbes. Landfill workers involved in solid waste disposal activities are at the highest risk of exposure to these bioaerosols due to their proximity to solid waste and as they practise minimum personal safety and hygiene measures during working hours. Workers are recommended to use personal protective equipment and practise hygiene to reduce the impact of occupational exposure to bioaerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash T. Nair
- Department of Applied Sciences and Humanities, National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Hatia, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834003 India
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Flies EJ, Jones P, Buettel JC, Brook BW. Compromised Ecosystem Services From Urban Aerial Microbiomes: A Review of Impacts on Human Immune Function. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.568902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Jaing C, Thissen J, Morrison M, Dillon MB, Waters SM, Graham GT, Be NA, Nicoll P, Verma S, Caro T, Smith DJ. Sierra Nevada sweep: metagenomic measurements of bioaerosols vertically distributed across the troposphere. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12399. [PMID: 32709938 PMCID: PMC7382458 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69188-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore how airborne microbial patterns change with height above the Earth’s surface, we flew NASA’s C-20A aircraft on two consecutive days in June 2018 along identical flight paths over the US Sierra Nevada mountain range at four different altitudes ranging from 10,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Bioaerosols were analyzed by metagenomic DNA sequencing and traditional culturing methods to characterize the composition and diversity of atmospheric samples compared to experimental controls. The relative abundance of taxa changed significantly at each altitude sampled, and the diversity profile shifted across the two sampling days, revealing a regional atmospheric microbiome that is dynamically changing. The most proportionally abundant microbial genera were Mycobacterium and Achromobacter at 10,000 ft; Stenotrophomonas and Achromobacter at 20,000 ft; Delftia and Pseudoperonospora at 30,000 ft; and Alcaligenes and Penicillium at 40,000 ft. Culture-based detections also identified viable Bacillus zhangzhouensis, Bacillus pumilus, and Bacillus spp. in the upper troposphere. To estimate bioaerosol dispersal, we developed a human exposure likelihood model (7-day forecast) using general aerosol characteristics and measured meteorological conditions. By coupling metagenomics to a predictive atmospheric model, we aim to set the stage for field campaigns that monitor global bioaerosol emissions and impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Jaing
- Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA.
| | - James Thissen
- Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Michael Morrison
- Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Michael B Dillon
- Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | - Samantha M Waters
- Universities Space Research Association, Maryland, USA.,NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | | | - Nicholas A Be
- Physical & Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, USA
| | | | - Sonali Verma
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Space Bioscences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | - Tristan Caro
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - David J Smith
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA, USA
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Tian JH, Yan C, Nasir ZA, Alcega SG, Tyrrel S, Coulon F. Real time detection and characterisation of bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 721:137629. [PMID: 32163737 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants may pose adverse health impact on workers and nearby communities. To detect and characterise bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), a novel real-time bioaerosol sensor, Spectral Intensity Bioaerosol Sensor (SIBS) was employed at a WWTP and a background site. The SIBS records a range of data (size, shape, and fluorescence emission across 16 wavelength bands from 298 to 735 nm for two excitation wavelengths (285 nm and 370 nm)) on single particles in real time. Additionally, excitation-emission matrix (EEM) of wastewater samples obtained by a spectrofluorometer was compared with SIBS spectra from WWTP. The results showed that the average number concentrations of total particles (NT) and fluorescence particles (NF) were both higher at the WWTP (NT = 2.01 cm-3, NF = 1.13 cm-3) than the background site (NT = 1.79 cm-3, NF = 1.01 cm-3). The temporal variation of NF and NT was highly variable at the WWTP and the concentration peaks were consistent with on-site activities. Moreover, the time-resolved number-size distribution of fluorescent particles revealed the predominance of fine scale particles (<1 μm) and the time-series channel by channel number concentrations demonstrated the temporal variability of dominant bio-fluorophores. Furthermore, the overall and size-segregated fluorescence spectra at two sites were multimodal. In particular, the fluorescence intensity increases with increasing particle size in WWTP spectra, which is not present in the background spectra. In addition, the highly resolved SIBS fluorescence spectra were broadly similar to EEM of wastewater. These findings confirmed that the spectrally resolved fluorescence detected by SIBS is capable of providing reliable bio-fluorophores information of bioaerosol emissions generated from wastewater, thus holding the potential for better characterisation of bioaerosols in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Han Tian
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Zaheer Ahmad Nasir
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK.
| | - Sonia Garcia Alcega
- School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK6 7AA, UK
| | - Sean Tyrrel
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
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Viegas C, Almeida B, Monteiro A, Paciência I, Rufo J, Aguiar L, Lage B, Diogo Gonçalves LM, Caetano LA, Carolino E, Gomes AQ, Twarużek M, Kosicki R, Grajewski J, Teixeira JP, Viegas S, Pereira C. Exposure assessment in one central hospital: A multi-approach protocol to achieve an accurate risk characterization. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 181:108947. [PMID: 31767353 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The bioburden in a Hospital building originates not only from patients, visitors and staff, but is also disseminated by several indoor hospital characteristics and outdoor environmental sources. This study intends to assess the exposure to bioburden in one central Hospital with a multi-approach protocol using active and passive sampling methods. The microbial contamination was also characterized through molecular tools for toxigenic species, antifungal resistance and mycotoxins and endotoxins profile. Two cytotoxicity assays (MTT and resazurin) were conducted with two cell lines (Calu-3 and THP-1), and in vitro pro-inflammatory potential was assessed in THP-1 cell line. Out of the 15 sampling locations 33.3% did not comply with Portuguese legislation regarding bacterial contamination, whereas concerning fungal contamination 60% presented I/O > 1. Toxigenic fungal species were observed in 27% of the sampled rooms (4 out of 15) and qPCR analysis successfully amplified DNA from the Aspergillus sections Flavi and Fumigati, although mycotoxins were not detected. Growth of distinct fungal species was observed on Sabouraud dextrose agar with triazole drugs, such as Aspergillus section Versicolores on 1 mg/L VORI. The highest concentrations of endotoxins were found in settled dust samples and ranged from 5.72 to 23.0 EU.mg-1. While a considerable cytotoxic effect (cell viability < 30%) was observed in one HVAC filter sample with Calu-3 cell line, it was not observed with THP-1 cell line. In air samples a medium cytotoxic effect (61-68% cell viability) was observed in 3 out of 15 samples. The cytokine responses produced a more potent average cell response (46.8 ± 12.3 ρg/mL IL-1β; 90.8 ± 58.5 ρg/mL TNF-α) on passive samples than air samples (25.5 ± 5.2 ρg/mL IL-1β and of 19.4 ± 5.2 ρg/mL TNF-α). A multi-approach regarding parameters to assess, sampling and analysis methods should be followed to characterize the biorburden in the Hospital indoor environment. This study supports the importance of considering exposure to complex mixtures in indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Portugal.
| | - Beatriz Almeida
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Monteiro
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Paciência
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciência e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Rufo
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal & Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lívia Aguiar
- INSA - Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bruna Lage
- INSA - Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lídia Maria Diogo Gonçalves
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Anita Quintal Gomes
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; University of Lisbon Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Magdalena Twarużek
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Robert Kosicki
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jan Grajewski
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - João Paulo Teixeira
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; INSA - Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Portugal
| | - Cristiana Pereira
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; INSA - Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Departamento de Saúde Ambiental, Porto, Portugal
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Intercomparison of Multiple UV-LIF Spectrometers Using the Aerosol Challenge Simulator. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10120797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Measurements of primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs) have been conducted worldwide using ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence (UV-LIF) spectrometers. However, how these instruments detect and respond to known biological and non-biological particles, and how they compare, remains uncertain due to limited laboratory intercomparisons. Using the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Aerosol Challenge Simulator (ACS), controlled concentrations of biological and non-biological aerosol particles, singly or as mixtures, were produced for testing and intercomparison of multiple versions of the Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Spectrometer (WIBS) and Multiparameter Bioaerosol Spectrometer (MBS). Although the results suggest some challenges in discriminating biological particle types across different versions of the same UV-LIF instrument, a difference in fluorescence intensity between the non-biological and biological samples could be identified for most instruments. While lower concentrations of fluorescent particles were detected by the MBS, the MBS demonstrates the potential to discriminate between pollen and other biological particles. This study presents the first published technical summary and use of the ACS for instrument intercomparisons. Within this work a clear overview of the data pre-processing is also presented, and documentation of instrument version/model numbers is suggested to assess potential instrument variations between different versions of the same instrument. Further laboratory studies sampling different particle types are suggested before use in quantifying impact on ambient classification.
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