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A System to Create Stable Nanoparticle Aerosols from Nanopowders
Published on: July 26, 2016
A rapid and repeatable method to deposit bioaerosols on material surfaces
M Worth Calfee1, Sang Don Lee, Shawn P Ryan
1US EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. calfee.worth@epa.gov
Journal of Microbiological Methods
|February 7, 2013
Summary
A new method accurately deposits aerosolized spores onto surfaces for repeatable experiments. This technique is effective on various materials and aids biological agent detection and decontamination studies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Surface science
- Analytical chemistry
Background:
- Accurate and repeatable inoculation of surfaces with aerosolized particles is crucial for scientific studies.
- Existing methods may lack precision or applicability to diverse surface types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a simple, repeatable method for inoculating surfaces with precise quantities of aerosolized spores.
- To assess the method's performance across different materials and its relationship with surface properties.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel method for aerosolized spore deposition.
- Conducted laboratory studies to assess within- and between-experiment variability.
- Evaluated spatial distribution, complex surface applicability, and material surface roughness effects on spore recovery.
Main Results:
- Achieved surface concentrations of 5x10(3) to 1.5x10(4) Colony Forming Units per square centimeter (CFUcm(-2)).
- Demonstrated repeatable deposition with between-test variability (Cv) ranging from 20% to 81% and within-test variability not exceeding 52%.
- Showed method applicability to complex materials (stainless steel, concrete, wood, drywall) with recovery variability linked to surface roughness.
Conclusions:
- The developed method is repeatable and effective for inoculating diverse surfaces with aerosolized spores.
- Surface sampling recoveries are material-dependent, influenced by surface roughness.
- This technique is valuable for biological agent detection, sampling, and decontamination research, and other aerosol-borne particle studies.
