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Related Experiment Videos

Bacillus anthracis aerosolization associated with a contaminated mail sorting machine.

Peter M Dull1, Kathy E Wilson, Bill Kournikakis

  • 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. pdull@emory.wdu

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|October 25, 2002
PubMed
Summary

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Airborne Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis) spores were detected around a postal sorting machine after contamination. Exposure levels were estimated, suggesting a potential inhalation risk for postal workers.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Public health
  • Occupational safety

Background:

  • Anthrax infection was identified in postal workers following spore contamination in a Washington D.C. facility.
  • The postal facility was closed to investigate potential ongoing exposure risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess continued airborne exposure to Bacillus anthracis spores after a contamination event.
  • To quantify potential inhalation exposure for employees working near contaminated equipment.

Main Methods:

  • Air sampling was conducted around a postal sorting machine suspected of contamination.
  • Samples were collected both before and during machine activation with clean dummy mail.
  • Colony-forming units (CFUs) of B. anthracis were isolated and quantified.

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Main Results:

  • One CFU of B. anthracis was found in air sampled before machine activation.
  • Six CFUs of B. anthracis were detected during machine operation with dummy mail.
  • An estimated 30 B. anthracis-containing particles may be inhaled by an employee during an 8-hour shift.

Conclusions:

  • Airborne B. anthracis spores were present around the contaminated sorting machine during operation.
  • The estimated inhalation exposure was significantly lower than previously reported levels in other occupational settings.
  • Further risk assessment is needed to understand the implications for postal worker health.