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Markey E, Hourihane Clancy J, Martínez-Bracero M, Sarda-Estève R, Baisnée D, McGillicuddy EJ, Sewell G, Skjøth CA, O'Connor DJ. Spectroscopic detection of bioaerosols with the wibs-4+: Anthropogenic and meteorological impacts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 943:173649. [PMID: 38852865 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
This research builds upon a previous study that explored the potential of the modified WIBS-4+ to selectively differentiate and detect different bioaerosol classes. The current work evaluates the influence of meteorological and air quality parameters on bioaerosol concentrations, specifically pollen and fungal spore dynamics. Temperature was found to be the most influential parameter in terms of pollen production and release, showing a strong positive correlation. Wind data analysis provided insights into the potential geographic origins of pollen and fungal spore concentrations. Fungal spores were primarily shown to originate from a westerly direction, corresponding to agricultural land use, whereas pollen largely originated from a North-easterly direction, corresponding to several forests. The influence of air quality was also analysed to understand its potential impact on the WIBS fluorescent parameters investigated. Most parameters had a negative association with fungal spore concentrations, whereas several anthropogenic influences showed notable positive correlations with daily pollen concentrations. This is attributed to similar driving forces (meteorological parameters) and geographical origins. In addition, the WIBS showed a significant correlation with anthropogenic pollutants originating from combustion sources, suggesting the potential for such modified spectroscopic instruments to be utilized as air quality monitors. By combining all meteorological and pollution data along with WIBS-4+ channel data, a set of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analyses were completed. Successful results with R2 values ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 were recorded. The inclusion of meteorological parameters was dependent on the spore or pollen type being examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Markey
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Roland Sarda-Estève
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, 91191 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Dominique Baisnée
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE), CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, 91191 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Eoin J McGillicuddy
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gavin Sewell
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carsten Ambelas Skjøth
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - David J O'Connor
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 E432 Dublin, Ireland
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2
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Xie Y, Wang Y, He J, Yang X, Duan X, Zhao B. Human emissions of size-resolved fluorescent bioaerosols in control situations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171661. [PMID: 38490427 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Human bioaerosols contribute significantly to indoor air quality. This study used a Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS-4A) instrument for real-time measurement of particle size distribution and count to differentiate fluorescent bioaerosols from non-fluorescent aerosols. Through an experiment involving 12 subjects (six men and six women) wearing standard cotton clothing in a 2 m × 2 m × 2 m environmental chamber, we established a quantitative method to obtain the bioaerosol emission rate of a single subject, aiming to explore the effects of masks and sex on bioaerosol emissions from different individuals. The mean emission rates of fluorescent bioaerosols in the particle size ranges of 0.5-2.5 μm and 2.5-10 μm were 3.192±2.11×104 counts/(person·h) and 13.98±9.34×104 counts/(person·h), respectively. A comparison between those wearing and not wearing masks revealed no significant differences in the emissions of fluorescent bioaerosols. This suggests respiratory sources may not significantly impact the emissions of fluorescent bioaerosols from individuals under seated breathing conditions. Significant disparities in the fluorescent bioaerosol emission rates of different biological sexes were observed through independent sample analysis. Males exhibited 41 % and 15 % higher emission rates than females for particle size ranges of 0.5-2.5 μm and 2.5-10 μm, respectively, possibly because of different metabolic rates. A significant correlation between metabolic rates and fluorescent bioaerosols (sig = 0.044 < 0.05) was observed in all the subjects. These findings underscore the individual variations that affect bioaerosol emission rates. The data provided by this study will facilitate further analysis of the on-site measured data and source analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Xie
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Civil and Resources Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxing Wang
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of Civil and Resources Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Junzhou He
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, China.
| | - Xudong Yang
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Duan
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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3
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Rastmanesh A, Boruah JS, Lee MS, Park S. On-Site Bioaerosol Sampling and Airborne Microorganism Detection Technologies. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38534229 DOI: 10.3390/bios14030122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Bioaerosols are small airborne particles composed of microbiological fragments, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollens, and/or by-products of cells, which may be viable or non-viable wherever applicable. Exposure to these agents can cause a variety of health issues, such as allergic and infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer. Therefore, detecting and identifying bioaerosols is crucial, and bioaerosol sampling is a key step in any bioaerosol investigation. This review provides an overview of the current bioaerosol sampling methods, both passive and active, as well as their applications and limitations for rapid on-site monitoring. The challenges and trends for detecting airborne microorganisms using molecular and immunological methods are also discussed, along with a summary and outlook for the development of prompt monitoring technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afagh Rastmanesh
- Complex Fluids Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan 31253, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jayanta S Boruah
- Complex Fluids Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan 31253, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Seok Lee
- Complex Fluids Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan 31253, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungkyung Park
- Complex Fluids Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan 31253, Chungnam, Republic of Korea
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Grewling Ł, Ribeiro H, Antunes C, Apangu GP, Çelenk S, Costa A, Eguiluz-Gracia I, Galveias A, Gonzalez Roldan N, Lika M, Magyar D, Martinez-Bracero M, Ørby P, O'Connor D, Penha AM, Pereira S, Pérez-Badia R, Rodinkova V, Xhetani M, Šauliene I, Skjøth CA. Outdoor airborne allergens: Characterization, behavior and monitoring in Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167042. [PMID: 37709071 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Aeroallergens or inhalant allergens, are proteins dispersed through the air and have the potential to induce allergic conditions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Outdoor aeroallergens are found predominantly in pollen grains and fungal spores, which are allergen carriers. Aeroallergens from pollen and fungi have seasonal emission patterns that correlate with plant pollination and fungal sporulation and are strongly associated with atmospheric weather conditions. They are released when allergen carriers come in contact with the respiratory system, e.g. the nasal mucosa. In addition, due to the rupture of allergen carriers, airborne allergen molecules may be released directly into the air in the form of micronic and submicronic particles (cytoplasmic debris, cell wall fragments, droplets etc.) or adhered onto other airborne particulate matter. Therefore, aeroallergen detection strategies must consider, in addition to the allergen carriers, the allergen molecules themselves. This review article aims to present the current knowledge on inhalant allergens in the outdoor environment, their structure, localization, and factors affecting their production, transformation, release or degradation. In addition, methods for collecting and quantifying aeroallergens are listed and thoroughly discussed. Finally, the knowledge gaps, challenges and implications associated with aeroallergen analysis are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grewling
- Laboratory of Aerobiology, Department of Systematic and Environmental Botany, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Helena Ribeiro
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Portugal
| | - Celia Antunes
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | | | - Sevcan Çelenk
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ana Costa
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Ibon Eguiluz-Gracia
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Malaga, Malaga 29010, Spain
| | - Ana Galveias
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Nestor Gonzalez Roldan
- Group of Biofunctional Metabolites and Structures, Priority Research Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Borstel, Germany; Pollen Laboratory, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mirela Lika
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Donát Magyar
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Pia Ørby
- Department of Environmental Science, Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA) Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David O'Connor
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin D09 E432, Ireland
| | - Alexandra Marchã Penha
- Water Laboratory, School of Sciences and Technology, ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora. 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Sónia Pereira
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Portugal
| | - Rosa Pérez-Badia
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Merita Xhetani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
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Finnegan M, Thach CL, Khaki S, Markey E, O’Connor DJ, Smeaton AF, Morrin A. Characterization of Volatile and Particulate Emissions from Desktop 3D Printers. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:9660. [PMID: 38139506 PMCID: PMC10747962 DOI: 10.3390/s23249660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The rapid expansion of 3D printing technologies has led to increased utilization in various industries and has also become pervasive in the home environment. Although the benefits are well acknowledged, concerns have arisen regarding potential health and safety hazards associated with emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates during the 3D printing process. The home environment is particularly hazardous given the lack of health and safety awareness of the typical home user. This study aims to assess the safety aspects of 3D printing of PLA and ABS filaments by investigating emissions of VOCs and particulates, characterizing their chemical and physical profiles, and evaluating potential health risks. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to profile VOC emissions, while a particle analyzer (WIBS) was used to quantify and characterize particulate emissions. Our research highlights that 3D printing processes release a wide range of VOCs, including straight and branched alkanes, benzenes, and aldehydes. Emission profiles depend on filament type but also, importantly, the brand of filament. The size, shape, and fluorescent characteristics of particle emissions were characterized for PLA-based printing emissions and found to vary depending on the filament employed. This is the first 3D printing study employing WIBS for particulate characterization, and distinct sizes and shape profiles that differ from other ambient WIBS studies were observed. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing safety measures in all 3D printing environments, including the home, such as improved ventilation, thermoplastic material, and brand selection. Additionally, our research highlights the need for further regulatory guidelines to ensure the safe use of 3D printing technologies, particularly in the home setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Finnegan
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, D09 DXA0 Dublin, Ireland; (M.F.); (S.K.); (D.J.O.)
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, D09 Y5N0 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Colleen Lee Thach
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66046, USA;
| | - Shirin Khaki
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, D09 DXA0 Dublin, Ireland; (M.F.); (S.K.); (D.J.O.)
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, D09 Y5N0 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Emma Markey
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, D09 Y5N0 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - David J. O’Connor
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, D09 DXA0 Dublin, Ireland; (M.F.); (S.K.); (D.J.O.)
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, D09 Y5N0 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Alan F. Smeaton
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, D09 Y5N0 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Aoife Morrin
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University, D09 DXA0 Dublin, Ireland; (M.F.); (S.K.); (D.J.O.)
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, D09 Y5N0 Dublin, Ireland;
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6
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Frisk CA, Adams-Groom B, Smith M. Isolating the species element in grass pollen allergy: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163661. [PMID: 37094678 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Grass pollen is a leading cause of allergy in many countries, particularly Europe. Although many elements of grass pollen production and dispersal are quite well researched, gaps still remain around the grass species that are predominant in the air and which of those are most likely to trigger allergy. In this comprehensive review we isolate the species aspect in grass pollen allergy by exploring the interdisciplinary interdependencies between plant ecology, public health, aerobiology, reproductive phenology and molecular ecology. We further identify current research gaps and provide open ended questions and recommendations for future research in an effort to focus the research community to develop novel strategies to combat grass pollen allergy. We emphasise the role of separating temperate and subtropical grasses, identified through divergence in evolutionary history, climate adaptations and flowering times. However, allergen cross-reactivity and the degree of IgE connectivity in sufferers between the two groups remains an area of active research. The importance of future research to identify allergen homology through biomolecular similarity and the connection to species taxonomy and practical implications of this to allergenicity is further emphasised. We also discuss the relevance of eDNA and molecular ecological techniques (DNA metabarcoding, qPCR and ELISA) as important tools in quantifying the connection between the biosphere with the atmosphere. By gaining more understanding of the connection between species-specific atmospheric eDNA and flowering phenology we will further elucidate the importance of species in releasing grass pollen and allergens to the atmosphere and their individual role in grass pollen allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl A Frisk
- Department of Urban Greening and Vegetation Ecology, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway.
| | - Beverley Adams-Groom
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Smith
- School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom
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