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Moore ME, Keillor ME, Kasparek DM, Day AR, Glasgow BD. Electrostatic precipitator collection efficiency studies using atmospheric radon progeny as aerosol analogs for nuclear explosion radionuclides. J Environ Radioact 2023; 270:107306. [PMID: 37820504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Electrostatic precipitation (ESP) is an attractive low-powered collection mechanism for mobile and fixed aerosol detection of radionuclides (RNs) for Nuclear Explosion Monitoring (NEM). Aerosol samplers deployed in the International Monitoring System use a blower to draw air through a filter media to collect particulates. ESP-based samplers collect aerosols without a filter, which can greatly increase volumetric flow capacity per watt of power consumed. ESP-based collectors may be optimized to perform low-power mobile RN collection or to improve the air throughput of existing monitoring stations. This effort describes the use of unknown concentrations of atmospheric RNs to determine the collection efficiency of a compact ESP design. For this analysis, naturally occurring radon progeny are simultaneously collected by a single stage wire-plate ESP and a filter-based sampler with a known collection efficiency. The activity of resulting samples is measured with gamma-spectroscopy and decay corrected for analysis time offsets. RN collection efficiencies are then derived for an experimental survey of ESP operational parameters that influence the ionization, transit, and collection of aerosols. At volumetric flow rates of 1.5-2 CMM, the optimized collection efficiency was calculated as 21±2%, and slower rates around 0.5 CMM resulted in 55 ±5% collection efficiency. The monitoring performance of the ESP-based collector was assessed for a simplified nuclear explosion source term by calculating the minimal detectable concentrations of short-lived fission & activation products. Results of the study suggest that a low-power ESP is feasible for NEM at distances of 100s of km.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Moore
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA.
| | - Martin E Keillor
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Dustin M Kasparek
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Anthony R Day
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Brian D Glasgow
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
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2
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Stålfelt F, Svensson Malchau K, Björn C, Mohaddes M, Erichsen Andersson A. Can particle counting replace conventional surveillance for airborne bacterial contamination assessments? A systematic review using narrative synthesis. Am J Infect Control 2023; 51:1417-1424. [PMID: 37182760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial airborne contamination in the operating room during surgery indicates an increased risk for surgical site infection. The conventional surveillance method for bacteria in the air is by air sampling, plating, and counting of colony-forming units (CFU). Particle counting measures particles in the air, typically in sizes of 1-20 µm, and has been suggested as an alternative to CFU measurements. The primary aim was to investigate the correlation between the number of airborne CFU and particles during surgery. The secondary aim was to explore whether different ventilation settings influence the correlation between CFU and particles. METHODS The databases Cochrane, Embase, and Medline were searched for relevant publications. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, meta-analysis was not possible and a narrative analysis was performed instead. RESULTS The review included 11 studies. Two of the studies (n = 2) reported strong correlation between particles and CFU (Rp = 0.76 and Rc = 0.74). The remaining studies observed moderate correlation (n = 3), low correlation (n = 3), or no correlation (n = 3). Based on the primary results from this study, ventilation attribution to distinguish the correlation between particles and CFU had no or little contribution. CONCLUSIONS Due to the lack of convincing evidence of correlation and lack of high-quality studies performing measurements in a standardized way, the studies could not provide the necessary evidence that show that particle counting could be used as a substitution for conventional air bacterial assessment. Further studies are warranted to strengthen the conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans Stålfelt
- Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Karin Svensson Malchau
- Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Camilla Björn
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Division Materials and Production, Methodology, Textiles and Medical Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maziar Mohaddes
- Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Annette Erichsen Andersson
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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3
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Álvarez-Pérez S, García ME, Martínez-Nevado E, Blanco JL. Presence of Aspergillus fumigatus with the TR 34/L98H Cyp51A mutation and other azole-resistant aspergilli in the air of a zoological park. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:104993. [PMID: 37657393 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.104993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Antifungal-resistant fungi, including Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species, pose an urgent threat to human and animal health. Furthermore, the environmental route of azole resistance selection due to the widespread use of azole fungicides in crop protection and other applications is a major public health issue. Although environmental surveillance of fungi is frequently performed in many zoological parks and wildlife rehabilitation centers, the antifungal susceptibility of recovered isolates is only rarely analyzed, which precludes a clear assessment of the threat posed by these fungi to captive animals. In this study, we assessed the presence of airborne azole-resistant Aspergillus spp., including the so-called 'cryptic species' (i.e., species which are phenotypically similar to more well-known aspergilli but clearly constitute different phylogenetic lineages) in a zoological park located in the city of Madrid, Spain. In general, our results revealed a low prevalence A. fumigatus and cryptic aspergilli with decreased susceptibility to azoles. However, we detected an A. fumigatus isolate with the TR34/L98H mutation in the gene encoding the lanosterol 14α-demethylase (Cyp51A), consisting of a tandem repeat of 34 base pairs in the promoter region and a lysine to histidine substitution at codon 98. Notably, this TR34/L98H mutation has been linked to the environmental route of azole resistance selection, thus highlighting the 'One Health' dimension of the emerging problem of antifungal resistance. In this context, continuous environmental surveillance of azole-resistant aspergilli in zoological parks and other similar animal facilities is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Álvarez-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain.
| | - Marta E García
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | | | - José L Blanco
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid 28040, Spain
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Humphreys H, Bak A, Ridgway E, Wilson APR, Vos MC, Woodhead K, Haill C, Xuereb D, Walker JM, Bostock J, Marsden GL, Pinkney T, Kumar R, Hoffman PN. Rituals and behaviours in the operating theatre - joint guidelines of the Healthcare Infection Society and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. J Hosp Infect 2023; 140:165.e1-165.e28. [PMID: 37454912 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H Humphreys
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland; Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK; ESCMID Study Group for Nosocomial Infection, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - A Bak
- Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK
| | - E Ridgway
- Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK
| | - A P R Wilson
- Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK; University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - M C Vos
- ESCMID Study Group for Nosocomial Infection, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Woodhead
- Association for Perioperative Practice, Harrogate, UK; Royal College of Nursing, London, UK
| | - C Haill
- Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK
| | - D Xuereb
- Infection Prevention Society, Seafield, UK
| | - J M Walker
- Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK; NHS Grampian, Greater Aberdeen, UK
| | - J Bostock
- Lay Member for Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK
| | - G L Marsden
- Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK; Royal College of General Practitioners, London, UK
| | - T Pinkney
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - R Kumar
- Lay Member for Healthcare Infection Society, London, UK
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Cerasa M, Guerriero E, Balducci C, Bacaloni A, Ciccioli P, Mosca S. Particle and gas phase sampling of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs by activated carbon fiber and GC/MS analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:65192-65203. [PMID: 37079234 PMCID: PMC10182933 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27052-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are semi-volatile compounds and can be partitioned in the atmosphere between the gas and particulate phase, due to their physicochemical properties. For this reason, the reference standard methods for air sampling include a quartz fiber filter (QFF) for the particulate and a polyurethane foam (PUF) cartridge for the vapor phase, and it is the classical and most popular sampling method in the air. Despite the presence of the two adsorbing media, this method cannot be used for the study of the gas-particulate distribution, but only for a total quantification. This study presents the results and the performance aim to validate an activated carbon fiber (ACF) filter for the sampling of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) using laboratory and field tests. The specificity, precision, and accuracy of the ACF in relation to the QFF + PUF were evaluated through the isotopic dilution technique, the recovery rates, and the standard deviations. Then the ACF performance was assessed on real samples, in a naturally contaminated area, through parallel sampling with the reference method (QFF + PUF). The QA/QC was defined according to the standard methods ISO 16000-13 and -14 and EPA TO4A and 9A. Data confirmed that ACF meets the requirements for the quantification of native POPs compounds in atmospheric and indoor samples. In addition, ACF provided accuracy and precision comparable to those offered by standard reference methods using QFF + PUF, but with significant savings in terms of time and costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Cerasa
- Italian National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Area Della Ricerca Di Roma 1, 00010, Montelibretti (RM), Italy
| | - Ettore Guerriero
- Italian National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Area Della Ricerca Di Roma 1, 00010, Montelibretti (RM), Italy
| | - Catia Balducci
- Italian National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Area Della Ricerca Di Roma 1, 00010, Montelibretti (RM), Italy
| | - Alessandro Bacaloni
- Chemistry Department, Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences Faculty, Sapienza University Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Piero Ciccioli
- Italian National Research Council, Institute for Biological Systems, Area Della Ricerca Di Roma 1, 00010, Montelibretti (RM), Italy
| | - Silvia Mosca
- Italian National Research Council, Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Area Della Ricerca Di Roma 1, 00010, Montelibretti (RM), Italy.
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Durongphan A, Rungruang J, Nitimanee E, Panichareon B. The effects of enhanced formaldehyde clearance in a gross anatomy laboratory by floor plan redesign and dissection table adjustment. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:64246-64253. [PMID: 37062795 PMCID: PMC10106273 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26906-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde has carcinogenic properties. It is associated with nasopharyngeal cancer and causes irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system. Formaldehyde exposure is a significant health concern for those participating in the gross anatomy laboratory, but no learning method can substitute cadaver dissection. We performed a formaldehyde level study in 2018, which found that most of the breathing zone (S-level) and environment (R-level) formaldehyde levels during laboratory sessions at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital exceeded international ceiling standards. In the academic year 2019, we adapted the engineering rationale of the NIOSH hierarchy of controls to facilitate formaldehyde clearance by opening the dissection table covers and increasing the area per dissection table, then measured formaldehyde ceiling levels by formaldehyde detector tube with a gas-piston hand pump during (1) body wall, (2) upper limb, (3) head-neck, (4) thorax, (5) spinal cord removal, (6) lower limb, (7) abdomen, and (8) organs of special senses dissection sessions and comparing the results with the 2018 study. The perineum region data were excluded from analyses due to the laboratory closure in 2019 from the COVID-19 outbreak. There were statistically significant differences between the 2018 and 2019 S-levels (p < 0.001) and R-levels (p < 0.001). The mean S-level decreased by 64.18% from 1.34 ± 0.71 to 0.48 ± 0.26 ppm, and the mean R-level decreased by 70.18% from 0.57 ± 0.27 to 0.17 ± 0.09 ppm. The highest formaldehyde level in 2019 was the S-level in the body wall region (1.04 ± 0.3 ppm), followed by the S-level in the abdomen region (0.56 ± 0.08 ppm) and the spinal cord removal region (0.51 ± 0.29 ppm). All 2019 formaldehyde levels passed the OSHA 15-min STEL standard (2 ppm). The R-level in the special sense region (0.06 ± 0.02 ppm) passed the NIOSH 15-min ceiling limit (0.1 ppm). Three levels for 2019 were very close: the R-level in the head-neck region (0.11 ± 0.08 ppm), the abdomen region (0.11 ± 0.08), the body wall region (0.14 ± 0.12 ppm), and the S-level in the special sense region (0.12 ± 0.04 ppm). In summary, extensive analysis and removal of factors impeding formaldehyde clearance can improve the general ventilation system and achieve the OSHA 15-min STEL standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuch Durongphan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Jarun Rungruang
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Eakkapong Nitimanee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Benjaporn Panichareon
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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Thapa B, Hsieh SA, Bell DS, Anderson JL. Monitoring the liberation of volatile organic compounds during fused deposition modeling three dimensional printing using solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1693:463886. [PMID: 36870231 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.463886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printers have gained tremendous popularity and are being widely used in offices, laboratories, and private homes. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is among the most commonly used mechanisms by desktop 3D printers in indoor settings and relies on the extrusion and deposition of heated thermoplastic filaments, resulting in the liberation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With the growing use of 3D printers, concerns regarding human health have risen as the exposure to VOCs may cause adverse health effects. Therefore, it is important to monitor VOC liberation during printing and to correlate it to filament composition. In this study, VOCs liberated with a desktop printer were measured by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). SPME fibers featuring sorbent coatings of varied polarity were chosen for the extraction of VOCs liberated from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), tough polylactic acid, and copolyester+ (CPE+) filaments. It was found that for all three filaments tested, longer print times resulted in a greater number of extracted VOCs. The ABS filament liberated the most VOCs while the CPE+ filaments liberated the fewest VOCs. Through the use of hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, filaments as well as fibers could be differentiated based on the liberated VOCs. This study demonstrates that SPME is a promising tool to sample and extract VOCs liberated during 3D printing under non-equilibrium conditions and can be used to aid in tentative identification of the VOCs when coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhawana Thapa
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 USA
| | - Shu-An Hsieh
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 USA
| | - David S Bell
- Restek Corporation, 110 Benner Circle, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823, USA
| | - Jared L Anderson
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 USA.
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Fortin A, Veillette M, Larrotta A, Longtin Y, Duchaine C, Grandvaux N. Detection of viable SARS-CoV-2 in retrospective analysis of aerosol samples collected from hospital rooms of patients with COVID-19. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023:S1198-743X(23)00135-0. [PMID: 36963565 PMCID: PMC10033144 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Audray Fortin
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marc Veillette
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec city, QC, Canada
| | | | - Yves Longtin
- Jewish General Hospital & McGill University faculty of medicine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Duchaine
- Département de biochimie, microbiologie et bioinformatique, Université Laval et Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec city, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Grandvaux
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Levetin E, McLoud JD, Pityn P, Rorie AC. Air Sampling and Analysis of Aeroallergens: Current and Future Approaches. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2023; 23:223-236. [PMID: 36933176 DOI: 10.1007/s11882-023-01073-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review current air sampling instruments and analysis methods and to describe new approaches being developed. RECENT FINDINGS Spore trap sampling with analysis by microscopy remains the most widely used methods for aeroallergen determination even though there are often long delays from sample acquisition to data availability, as well as a need for specially-trained staff for sample analysis. The use of immunoassays and molecular biology to analyze outdoor or indoor samples has expanded in recent years and has provided valuable data on allergen exposure. New automated sampling devices capture pollen, analyze, and identify pollen grains by light scattering, laser-induced fluorescence, microscopy, or holography using signal or image processing to classify the pollen in real time or near real time. Air sampling data from current methods provide valuable information on aeroallergen exposure. The automated devices in use and under development show great potential but are not ready to replace existing aeroallergen networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle Levetin
- Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, 74104, Tulsa, OK, USA.
| | - Josh D McLoud
- Department of Biological Sciences, LeTourneau University, 75602, Longview, TX, USA
| | - Peter Pityn
- OSHTECH Incorporated, N6B 2M4, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew C Rorie
- Division of Allergy/Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 68198, Omaha, NE, USA
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Takemine S, Motegi M, Takayanagi M, Usui S, Kuroda I. Determination of hydrazine in air by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry combined with precolumn derivatization. Talanta 2023; 258:124411. [PMID: 36907163 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.124411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we developed a determination method for hydrazine in the air. Hydrazine was derivatized with p-dimethyl amino benzaldehyde (DBA) to yield p-dimethylaminobenzalazine, which was subjected to liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis. The derivative exhibited good sensitivity in the LC/MS/MS analysis, and its instrument detection limit and instrument quantification limit were 0.003 and 0.008 ng/mL, respectively. The air sample was collected using an air sampler equipped with a peristaltic pump at 0.2 L/min for 8 h. We demonstrated that a silica cartridge impregnated with DBA and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethylene can collect hydrazine in the air stably. The mean recovery rates in outdoor and indoor locations were 97.6% and 92.4%, respectively. Further, the method detection and quantification limits were 0.1 and 0.4 ng/m3, respectively. The proposed method does not require any pretreatment and/or concentration step, enabling high-throughput analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shusuke Takemine
- Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo, Saitama, 347-0115, Japan.
| | - Mamoru Motegi
- Center for Environmental Science in Saitama, 914 Kamitanadare, Kazo, Saitama, 347-0115, Japan
| | - Manabu Takayanagi
- GL Sciences Inc., 237-2 Sayamagahara, Iruma, Saitama, 358-0032, Japan
| | - Sunao Usui
- GL Sciences Inc., 237-2 Sayamagahara, Iruma, Saitama, 358-0032, Japan
| | - Ikuma Kuroda
- GL Sciences Inc., 237-2 Sayamagahara, Iruma, Saitama, 358-0032, Japan
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Prasannavenkadesan V, Singaravelu C. Reduction of pollutant emissions from a heat treatment furnace. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023:10.1007/s11356-022-25025-x. [PMID: 36689110 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-25025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This paper addresses a preliminary study on the emission control of pollutants from an industrial furnace. The stack sampling technique was implemented in this study, and the quantity of pollutants released from the furnace smoke was monitored. The transverse points required to collect the data were selected based on the upstream and downstream disturbances. At first, the investigation was made with the furnace oil. A 15.28% and 5.1% of CO2 and O2 were observed in the flue gas from of regular furnace oil. Hence, by considering the emission level observed, the analysis was repeated with the low sulphur-low stack and the coal tar fuel. The emission of SO2 and N2 was reduced with coal-tar fuel compared with the regular furnace fuel. Thus, the proposed operational adjustment attenuates the pollutant emission, which also helps to reduce the unfavorable impact on the environment. In the future, the authors intend to include a design change in the furnace burner, which would help to increase fuel efficiency and reduce pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chockalingam Singaravelu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, E.G.S. Pillay Engineering College, Tamil Nadu, 611002, Nagapattinam, India.
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Kitagawa H, Nomura T, Kaiki Y, Kakimoto M, Nazmul T, Omori K, Shigemoto N, Sakaguchi T, Ohge H. Viable SARS-CoV-2 detected in the air of hospital rooms of patients with COVID-19 with an early infection. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 126:73-78. [PMID: 36356797 PMCID: PMC9640214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in the air of hospital rooms occupied by patients with COVID-19 who had viable SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal (NP) samples in early infection. METHODS Between July and October 2021, NP swabs were collected from 20 patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a tertiary hospital in Japan. Air samples were collected from their rooms, tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and cultured to determine potential infectivity. RESULTS The NP swab samples of 18 patients were positive for viable SARS-CoV-2 (median concentration: 4.0 × 105 tissue culture infectious dose 50/ml). In the air samples, viral RNA (median concentration: 1.1 × 105 copies/m3) was detected in 12/18 (67%) patients, and viable virus (median concentration: 8.9 × 102 tissue culture infectious dose 50/m3) was detected in 5/18 (28%) patients. The median time between illness onset and sampling was 3 days. The RNA concentration was significantly higher in samples wherein viable SARS-CoV-2 was detected than in samples in which viable virus was not detected (P-value = 0.027). CONCLUSION Viable SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the air surrounding patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection. Health care workers should pay attention to infection control when caring for patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Kitagawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan,Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan,Corresponding author: Hiroki Kitagawa, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Toshihito Nomura
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan,Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuki Kaiki
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Masaki Kakimoto
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Tanuza Nazmul
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Keitaro Omori
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Norifumi Shigemoto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan,Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan,Translational Research Center, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takemasa Sakaguchi
- Department of Virology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ohge
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
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Vass WB, Lednicky JA, Shankar SN, Fan ZH, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Wu CY. Viable SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant detected in aerosols in a residential setting with a self-isolating college student with COVID-19. J Aerosol Sci 2022; 165:106038. [PMID: 35774447 PMCID: PMC9217630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2022.106038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2 emerged in India in October of 2020 and spread widely to over 145 countries, comprising over 99% of genome sequence-confirmed virus in COVID-19 cases of the United States (US) by September 2021. The rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant coincided with a return to in-person school attendance, straining COVID-19 mitigation plans implemented by educational institutions. Some plans required sick students to self-isolate off-campus, resulting in an unintended consequence: exposure of co-inhabitants of dwellings used by the sick person during isolation. We assessed air and surface samples collected from the bedroom of a self-isolating university student with mild COVID-19 for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. That virus' RNA was detected by real-time reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (rRT-qPCR) in air samples from both an isolation bedroom and a distal, non-isolation room of the same dwelling. SARS-CoV-2 was detected and viable virus was isolated in cell cultures from aerosol samples as well as from the surface of a mobile phone. Genomic sequencing revealed that the virus was a Delta variant SARS-CoV-2 strain. Taken together, the results of this work confirm the presence of viable SARS-CoV-2 within a residential living space of a person with COVID-19 and show potential for transportation of virus-laden aerosols beyond a designated isolation suite to other areas of a single-family home.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Vass
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | | | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Soonklang N, Saowakon N. Evaluation of formaldehyde exposure among gross dissection after modified embalming solution and health assessment. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:65642-65654. [PMID: 35488160 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19704-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mainly embalming fixative contains formaldehyde which is classified as a carcinogen. People who work with cadavers have been at higher risk of cancer after formaldehyde exposure. We have formulated a less-formalin fixative (contained 3.6% formaldehyde,23.8% ethanol, 15% glycerin, and 0.2% phenol in the water) for preserving cadavers. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the level of atmospheric formaldehyde indoors and the breathing exposure of medical students during dissection classes. We also analyzed the pulmonary parameters and effects of formaldehyde. The levels of atmospheric formaldehyde indoors and personal breathing exposure were sampled during anatomy dissection classes (musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, and abdominopelvic organ system) using sorbent tubes with air sampling pumps. Samples were then analyzed using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The mean level of formaldehyde indoor air among the three classes was 0.518 ± 0.156 ppm whereas the formaldehyde level in the personal breathing zone was 0.956±0.408 ppm, which exceeded the recommended exposure standards of international agencies, including NIOSH agency and PEL of Thailand legislation. The laboratory had high humidity, high room temperature, and poor air ventilation. There was a significant difference in FVC, FEV1, and PEF (p < 0.05) between the sexes of students. Comparison pulmonary parameters between students and instructors showed that all parameters of the pulmonary function test had no significant differences. General fatigue and burnings of eyes and nose associated with strong odor were the most common symptoms reported during the dissection classes. The modified embalming fixative was used less formalin with ethanol-glycerin mixture, and it was suitable for the study of medical students, with few side effects of respiratory problems. However, the modified exhaust ventilation with local table-exhaust ventilation and heating-ventilation-air conditioning system performance were urgent issues for reducing levels of formaldehyde indoor air in the dissection room.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nantawan Soonklang
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Naruwan Saowakon
- School of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
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15
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Kaikiti C, Stylianou M, Agapiou A. TD-GC/MS analysis of indoor air pollutants (VOCs, PM) in hair salons. Chemosphere 2022; 294:133691. [PMID: 35065178 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Hairdressing personnel is daily exposed to various chemical air pollutants, and specifically to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Particulate Matter (PM) in hair salons. This is of concern, due to the hazardous effects of these chemicals on the individual's health. Nevertheless, a limited exposure assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ) has been performed. The aim of this study was to analyze the indoor air in 5 hair salons, to assess the IAQ of the occupational exposure, and to identify the main VOCs produced or activities responsible for the respective indoor pollution. The chemical analysis took place inside the salon environment by monitoring the emitted VOCs, as well as the PM of 1, 2.5, 4, and 10 μm aerodynamic diameter. The sampling of VOCs was performed by adsorption of pollutants on Tenax TA sorbent tubes, that were subsequently analyzed using a thermal desorption unit coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS). The obtained results showed that hair products are a major source of air pollutants, as elevated concentrations of VOCs and PM are released in the working environment. Furthermore, the type and concentration of VOCs are affected by the various hair treatment activities taking place in the salons. Among the main compounds detected there was benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, known as BTEX, as well as, diethyl phthalate, 1,4-dioxane, etc. More than 50 VOCs were identified (occurrence ≥60%) and 14 of them were quantified. Their average concentration levels varied from 12 μg m-3 for naphthalene to 941 μg m-3 for toluene. The measuring levels for PM revealed violations of the EPA and WHO international standards for permissible limit concentrations; this was the case in all hair treatment activities but mostly during keratin treatment. Hence, much more effort is needed to reduce the respective concentration levels of PM and VOCs, that contribute to self-reported health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrystalla Kaikiti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O.Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Marinos Stylianou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O.Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Agapios Agapiou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O.Box 20537, 1678, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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16
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Ha SH, Szulejko J, Kim KH. The feasibility and temporal storability of gas phase standards of volatile organic compounds prepared through liquid phase vaporization in polyester aluminum bags at room temperature. Chemosphere 2022; 291:132965. [PMID: 34801573 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the presence of many classes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air is well recognized. There is an impetus to accurately quantify airborne VOCs for the proper assessment of their human health risks. VOC standards prepared in a solvent are often vaporized in N2 gas-filled sampling bags for external calibration as the use of grab sampling bags is a common practice for the collection of real ambient air samples. Such practices can nontheless be subject to many sources of biases in their calibration (e.g., VOC chemical reaction with the solvent, adsorption on the bag interior surface, or leakage). The main goal of this work is to measure the temporal stability of 11 VOC targets (benzene, toluene, o-xylene, styrene, propionaldehyde, n-butyraldehyde, isovaleraldehyde, valeraldehyde, acrylonitrile, isoprene, and methyl ethyl ketone) selected in this research over 24 h which started 10 min after the injection and vaporization of liquid-phase standards (all prepared in methanol solvent) into polyester aluminum (PEA) bags containing 1 atm N2. Although all tested VOCs showed gradual decreases of their concentrations (e.g., >17% in 24 h), the aromatic hydrocarbon VOCs (namely BTXS) yielded the best relative recoveries (e.g., decreases of 11%-30% in 24 h) and relative errors (e.g., relative standard error (RSE) = 2.14-3.59%) in 5 replicate tests. A good linear relationship was established between the 24 h VOC relative recovery and molecular weight (R2 > 0.81). The results of this study offers valuable clues to properly reduce the bias in the calibration of gas-phase VOC standards when calibrating the system through the vaporization of liquid-phase VOC standards prepared in a solvent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Ho Ha
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jan Szulejko
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Abstract
Airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission represents a significant route for possible human infection that is not yet fully understood. Viruses in droplets and aerosols are difficult to detect because they are typically present in low amounts. In addition, the current techniques used, such as RT-PCR and virus culturing, require large amounts of time to get results. Biosensor technology can provide rapid, handheld, and point-of-care systems that can identify virus presence quickly and accurately. This paper reviews the background of airborne virus transmission and the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, its relative risk for transmission even at distances greater than the currently suggested 6 feet (or 2 m) physical distancing. Publications on biosensor technology that may be applied to the detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses are also summarized. Based on the current research we believe that there is a pressing need for continued research into handheld and rapid methods for sensitive collection and detection of airborne viruses. We propose a paper-based microfluidic chip and immunofluorescence assay as one method that could be investigated as a low-cost and portable option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lane E Breshears
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Brandon T Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Samantha Mata Robles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Lillian Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Jeong-Yeol Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
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18
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Abstract
Infection prevention and control team members (IPCTM) are often intimidated by aspects of ventilation as they relate to healthcare, because they consider them technical and outside their area of comfort and expertise. However, engineers, estates departments and planners need IPCTM input to ensure appropriate design and use. The main areas of importance centre on the operating theatre, the provision of air-controlled ventilated isolation rooms, and how to respond to major outbreaks/pandemics. Concentrating on basic principles of infection prevention and control, developing relationships with key departments and individuals, and applying best practice to these and other areas as they arise, are of great value. Some background, information and suggestions are provided for IPCTM with a view to providing simple practical advice in these areas.
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Key Words
- ACH, air changes per hour
- ACV, air controlled ventilated
- Air sampling
- Air-controlled ventilation
- ED, emergency department
- IPC, infection prevention and control
- IPCTM, infection prevention and control team members
- Isolation facilities
- MIS, minimally invasive surgery
- NIPPV, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
- Operating theatres
- PJA, prosthetic joint arthroplasty
- Pandemic preparedness
- SSI, surgical site infection
- UDAF, unidirectional air flow
- Upgrades/refurbishments
- cfu, colony forming units
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Humphreys
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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19
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Li H, Shankar SN, Witanachchi CT, Lednicky JA, Loeb JC, Alam MM, Fan ZH, Mohamed K, Boyette JA, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Wu CY. Environmental Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Two Restaurants from a Mid-scale City that Followed U.S. CDC Reopening Guidance. Aerosol Air Qual Res 2022; 22:210304. [PMID: 35024044 PMCID: PMC8752097 DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.210304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Since mask use and physical distancing are difficult to maintain when people dine indoors, restaurants are perceived as high risk for acquiring COVID-19. The air and environmental surfaces in two restaurants in a mid-scale city located in north central Florida that followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reopening guidance were sampled three times from July 2020 to February 2021. Sixteen air samples were collected for 2 hours using air samplers, and 20 surface samples by using moistened swabs. The samples were analyzed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA. A total of ~550 patrons dined in the restaurants during our samplings. SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA was not detected in any of the air samples. One of the 20 surface samples (5%) was positive. That sample had been collected from a plastic tablecloth immediately after guests left the restaurant. Virus was not isolated in cell cultures inoculated with aliquots of the RT-PCR-positive sample. The likelihood that patrons and staff acquire SARS-CoV-2 infections may be low in restaurants in a mid-scale city that adopt CDC restaurant reopening guidelines, such as operation at 50% capacity so that tables can be spaced at least 6 feet apart, establishment of adequate mechanical ventilation, use of a face covering except while eating or drinking, and implementation of disinfection measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwan Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
| | | | | | - John A. Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Julia C. Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Md. Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Z. Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Karim Mohamed
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Jessica A. Boyette
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
| | | | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
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20
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Farhangian M, Dehghan SF, Jafari MJ, Pirposhteh EA, Khalilinejad A, Tavakol E. Feasibility study on the application of electrospun nanofiber webs for the air sampling of crystalline silica. Ind Health 2021; 59:415-426. [PMID: 34588378 PMCID: PMC8655750 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2020-0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to first fabricate an electrospun PVC nanofiber web and then assess its applicability in sampling and measuring the concentration of airborne crystalline silica by comparing analysis results with a commercial PVC membrane filter under different ranges of airborne silica concentration. A filtration performance comparison was also made between an electrospun PVC web with nano-sized fibers and a commercial PVC membrane filter. Overall, the measured concentration of silica by the electrospun webs was 1.022 times higher than that of the commercial PVC filter in all studied ranges of silica concentration and the nanofiber media had higher filtration efficiency and lower pressure drop compared to the PVC membrane filter. This can be considered to be due to the lower fiber diameter and greater porosity (obtained from the 2D SEM image) of the electrospun nanofiber webs. This makes them suited for air pollutant sampling and determining its airborne concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohadese Farhangian
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Somayeh Farhang Dehghan
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Jafari
- Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center (SPIPRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Elham Akhlaghi Pirposhteh
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Amin Khalilinejad
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Elaheh Tavakol
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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21
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Bhardwaj J, Hong S, Jang J, Han CH, Lee J, Jang J. Recent advancements in the measurement of pathogenic airborne viruses. J Hazard Mater 2021; 420:126574. [PMID: 34252679 PMCID: PMC8256664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Air-transmissible pathogenic viruses, such as influenza viruses and coronaviruses, are some of the most fatal strains and spread rapidly by air, necessitating quick and stable measurements from sample air volumes to prevent further spread of diseases and to take appropriate steps rapidly. Measurements of airborne viruses generally require their collection into liquids or onto solid surfaces, with subsequent hydrosolization and then analysis using the growth method, nucleic-acid-based techniques, or immunoassays. Measurements can also be performed in real time without sampling, where species-specific determination is generally disabled. In this review, we introduce some recent advancements in the measurement of pathogenic airborne viruses. Air sampling and measurement technologies for viral aerosols are reviewed, with special focus on the effects of air sampling on damage to the sampled viruses and their measurements. Measurement of pathogenic airborne viruses is an interdisciplinary research area that requires understanding of both aerosol technology and biotechnology to effectively address the issues. Hence, this review is expected to provide some useful guidelines regarding appropriate air sampling and virus detection methods for particular applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Bhardwaj
- Sensors and Aerosols Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Junbeom Jang
- Sensors and Aerosols Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Ho Han
- Sensors and Aerosols Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaegil Lee
- Sensors and Aerosols Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaesung Jang
- Sensors and Aerosols Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering & Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, UNIST, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Kutter JS, de Meulder D, Bestebroer TM, van Kampen JJA, Molenkamp R, Fouchier RAM, Wishaupt JO, Fraaij PLA, Herfst S. Small quantities of respiratory syncytial virus RNA only in large droplets around infants hospitalized with acute respiratory infections. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2021; 10:100. [PMID: 34193302 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-021-00968-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory tract infections in young children. The predominant transmission routes for RSV are still a matter of debate. Specifically, it remains unclear if RSV can be transmitted through the air and what the correlation is between the amount of RSV in nasopharynx samples and in the air. Methods The amount of RSV in the air around hospitalized RSV infected infants in single-patient rooms was quantified using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor that collects and fractionates aerosols and droplets according to size. RSV shedding in the nasopharynx of patients was followed longitudinally by quantifying RSV RNA levels and infectious virus in nasopharyngeal aspirates. Nose and throat swabs of parents and swabs of the patient’s bedrail and a datalogger were also collected. Results Patients remained RSV positive during the air sampling period and infectious virus was isolated up to 9 days post onset of symptoms. In three out of six patients, low levels of RSV RNA, but no infectious virus, were recovered from impactor collection plates that capture large droplets > 7 μm. For four of these patients, one or both parents were also positive for RSV. All surface swabs were RSV-negative. Conclusions Despite the prolonged detection of infectious RSV in the nasopharynx of patients, only small amounts of RSV RNA were collected from the air around three out of six patients, which were primarily contained in large droplets which do not remain suspended in the air for long periods of time.
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23
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SCHIAVANO GIUDITTAFIORELLA, BALDELLI GIULIA, CEPPETELLI VERONICA, BRANDI GIORGIO, AMAGLIANI GIULIA. Assessment of hygienic conditions of recreational facility restrooms: an integrated approach. J Prev Med Hyg 2021; 62:E48-E53. [PMID: 34322616 PMCID: PMC8283657 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.1.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Microbiological quality of recreational environments included restrooms, is generally assessed by water and surface monitoring. In this study, an environmental monitoring, conducted in spring, of swimming pool restrooms of a recreation center located in the Marche region has been carried out. Seven water samples and seven surface swabs were collected. Moreover, six air samples have been included. The aim of this study was to evaluate if air microbiological monitoring, along with molecular detection in real-time PCR, could give additional useful information about the hygienic conditions of the facility. Methods Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) both at 22°C (psychrophilic) and 37°C (mesophilic) was determined by separate cultures in all samples. The presence of Legionella pneumophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated by both culture and real-time PCR. Results The analysis of shower water recorded a HPC load of mesophilic bacteria (37°C) more than 10-fold higher in men restroom, respect to women’s one (> 100 vs < 10 CFU/ml), while in air samples was between < 100 and > 500. Concerning pathogen presence, both species Legionella pneumophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected only in men restroom, but in different sample types by using different methods (culture and real-time PCR). Conclusions Air sampling may offer the advantage of giving more representative data about microbial presence in restrooms, including bacterial species transmitted through aerosol, like Legionella. Moreover, the concurrent use of molecular and microbiological detection in an integrated approach could offer the advantage of greater sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- GIUDITTA FIORELLA SCHIAVANO
- Department of Humanities, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
- Correspondence: Giuditta Fiorella Schiavano, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Humanities, via Bramante 17, 61029 Urbino (PU), Italy - Tel. +39 0722 303546 - E-mail:
| | - GIULIA BALDELLI
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | | | - GIORGIO BRANDI
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
| | - GIULIA AMAGLIANI
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino (PU), Italy
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24
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Behnami F, Yousefinejad S, Jafari S, Neghab M, Soleimani E. Assessment of respiratory exposure to cypermethrin among farmers and farm workers of Shiraz, Iran. Environ Monit Assess 2021; 193:187. [PMID: 33713184 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-08964-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cypermethrin, a member of the synthetic pyrethroids group, is a popular insecticide used to eliminate a broad range of common bugs in agricultural lands and households. However, studies of farmers' exposure to this insecticide are limited. The present study aimed to measure the respiratory exposure to cypermethrin among farmers and farm workers of Shiraz, as one of the biggest cities in Fars province, Iran. Totally, nine target regions were selected, where 42 individual samples were taken using XAD-2 sorbents and were analyzed by gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). This is the first study on farmers' exposure to insecticides during spraying in Iran. The average concentration of cypermethrin vapor in farmers' respiratory area during spraying was 0.982 ± 0.421 mg/m3, which was lower than the permitted threshold value for cypermethrin recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The mean time-weighted average (TWA) was also evaluated in two distinct occupational groups (tree operators and field operators). The exposure was significantly higher in tree operators than in field operators. A direct correlation was also found between the height of the workers and the amount of cypermethrin (Spearman's r = 0.555). Findings support that farm workers' respiratory exposure to cypermethrin was within the permissible range, but this situation cannot guarantee workers' safety. Total respiratory exposure and skin exposure studies are recommended in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Behnami
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeed Yousefinejad
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Saeed Jafari
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Masoud Neghab
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Esmaeel Soleimani
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Wang Y, Yang X, Liu Y, Zhang Q, Xiao H, Wang Y, Yao Y, Sun H. A low-volume air sampling method for legacy and novel brominated flame retardants in indoor environment using a newly developed sorbent mixture. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021; 210:111837. [PMID: 33422837 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are a series of stable and outstanding flame retardants bringing human exposure risks in indoor environment. However, sampling methods now available for BFRs are solvent-consuming and relatively complicated. This study provides a new option of low-volume air sampling device using cartridges with a sorbent mixture for different types of legacy and novel BFRs. In this study, we found that HC-C18 sorbent is most suitable for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel BFRs (NBFRs) enrichment, and that NH2 for hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). The sorbent mixture was optimized using a complex of HC-C18 and NH2 sorbents with elution recovery of 69.4% ± 7.9-117% ± 10%, pumping-through recovery of 84.5% ± 7.9-127% ± 36%, and breakthrough recovery of 70.8% ± 3.4-118% ± 6% for PBDEs, NBFRs, and HBCDs in indoor air. A sequential elution was also achieved using hexane for PBDEs and NBFRs and ethyl acetate for HBCDs. The method was validated with field sampling at nine student dormitory rooms. For legacy BFRs, all the isomers of HBCDs were detected in the air of nine rooms with the median concentrations of 91, 33, and 25 pg/m3 for (±)α-HBCD, (±)β-HBCD, (±)γ-HBCD, respectively, while PBDEs were hardly detected. In contrast, NBFRs were detected at total concentrations of 15-811 pg/m3. Pentabromotoluene (PBT) was the most frequently detected NBFRs with a median concentration of 4 pg/m3, followed by EHTBB at 56 pg/m3 and HBBZ at 21 pg/m3. For the risk assessment, the total hazard index value for air inhalation of BFRs was estimated at 6.1⎓10-4-0.35, which are consistently lower than 1, indicating no immediate health risk, while their long-term effects remain worth concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyue Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaomeng Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yuzhe Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Hongyan Xiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
| | - Hongwen Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Processes and Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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26
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Kerric A, Okeme J, Jantunen L, Giroux JF, Diamond ML, Verreault J. Spatial and temporal variations of halogenated flame retardants and organophosphate esters in landfill air: Potential linkages with gull exposure. Environ Pollut 2021; 271:116396. [PMID: 33535362 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Landfills represent important sources of local emissions of organic contaminants, including halogenated (HFR) and organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants used in a large variety of consumer products. Gulls foraging in landfills may be exposed to elevated atmospheric concentrations of HFRs and OPEs that may vary spatially and temporally within a landfill site, thus modulating their exposure. The objective of the present study was to investigate the spatial and temporal variability of HFR and OPE concentrations in air samples collected from a major landfill in the Montreal area (QC, Canada) that is frequently visited by gulls for foraging. Miniature stationary passive air samplers (PASs) and high-volume active air samplers (AASs) were deployed in six different areas within this landfill site for 34 days to collect HFRs and OPEs in air. During the same period, wild-caught ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) were equipped on their back with a similar miniature PAS that was deployed in the landfill along with a GPS datalogger to monitor their movements for ten days. Elevated concentrations of certain OPEs (e.g., tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate and tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate) and brominated diphenyl ether (BDE)-209 were measured in stationary PASs and AASs, although they were homogenously distributed within this landfill site. Temporal variability was observed for concentrations of BDE-209, -99 and -47 measured in AASs as well as tributyl phosphate during the 34-day deployment period. Moreover, air concentrations of BDE-209, -207 and -206 and selected OPEs (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and tris(methylphenyl) phosphate) determined using AASs were positively correlated with ambient air temperatures. Gulls that visited a landfill at least once exhibited significantly greater concentrations of BDE-47 measured in PASs they carried on their back, suggesting that landfill air may represent a source of exposure to PBDEs for these birds, and potentially other urban-adapted wildlife using these sites for foraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Kerric
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Joseph Okeme
- Department of Physical and Environmental Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Liisa Jantunen
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Egbert, ON, L0L 1N0, Canada
| | - Jean-François Giroux
- Groupe de recherche en écologie comportementale et animale (GRECA), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Miriam L Diamond
- Department of Physical and Environmental Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
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27
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Fennelly M, Keane J, Dolan L, Plant BJ, O'Connor DJ, Sodeau JR, Prentice MB. Containment of procedure-associated aerosols by an extractor tent: effect on nebulized drug particle dispersal. J Hosp Infect 2021; 110:108-113. [PMID: 33484782 PMCID: PMC7817412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Several medical procedures involving the respiratory tract are considered as ‘aerosol-generating procedures’. Aerosols from these procedures may be inhaled by bystanders, and there are consequent concerns regarding the transmission of infection or, specific to nebulized therapy, secondary drug exposure. Aim To assess the efficacy of a proprietary high-efficiency-particulate-air-filtering extractor tent on reducing the aerosol dispersal of nebulized bronchodilator drugs. Methods The study was conducted in an unoccupied outpatient room at St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. A novel real-time, fluorescent particle counter, the Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS), monitored room air continuously for 3 h. Baseline airborne particle count and count during nebulization of bronchodilator drug solutions were recorded. Findings Nebulization within the tent prevented any increase over background level. Nebulization directly into room air resulted in mean fluorescent particle counts of 4.75 x 105/m3 and 4.21 x 105/m3 for Ventolin and Ipramol, respectively, representing more than 400-fold increases over mean background level. More than 99.3% of drug particles were <2 μm in diameter and therefore small enough to enter the lower respiratory tract. Conclusion The extractor tent was completely effective for the prevention of airborne spread of drug particles of respirable size from nebulized therapy. This suggests that extractor tents of this type would be efficacious for the prevention of airborne infection from aerosol-generating procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fennelly
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - J Keane
- Respiratory Assessment Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L Dolan
- Respiratory Assessment Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - B J Plant
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - D J O'Connor
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J R Sodeau
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - M B Prentice
- Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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28
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Brown L, Premaratna D, Segal Y, Beddoe T. Air sampling for detection of infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) in commercial poultry flocks. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:556. [PMID: 33298179 PMCID: PMC7727125 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05399-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute and highly contagious viral respiratory disease of poultry, caused by gallid herpesvirus 1 (ILTV), which causes significant economic losses. Due to recent outbreaks of ILT in Australia, it has been proposed that ILT could be transmitted between poultry sheds by airborne transmission; however, there has never been direct detection of ILTV from air samples. We aimed to optimize a sampling system for the detection of airborne ILTV in poultry sheds. RESULTS Poultry farms with a known outbreaks of ILT were used for detection of airborne ILTV. Infected chickens were verified by detection of ILTV nucleic acid in feather shafts with all farms being positive. Using a liquid cyclonic impinging device, it was found that recovery and detection of airborne ILTV was possible in alkaline PEG buffer. Additional sampling was performed at different heights to determine the presence of ILTV in the air. In farm 3, all three air samples at both heights were positive for ILTV while at farm 2 only one sample at 45 cm was positive. We envisaged in the future air sampling will be able to detect and track potential transmission of ILTV both inside and outside of the poultry shed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Brown
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science and Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Center for Livestock Interactions With Pathogens (CLiP), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dilhani Premaratna
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science and Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yonatan Segal
- Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victorian Government, Attwood, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Travis Beddoe
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science and Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio), La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Victorian Government, Attwood, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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29
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Fennelly M, O'Connor DJ, Hellebust S, Murphy N, Casey C, Eustace J, Plant BJ, Sodeau JR, Prentice MB. Effectiveness of a plasma treatment device on microbial air quality in a hospital ward, monitored by culture. J Hosp Infect 2020; 108:109-112. [PMID: 33188867 PMCID: PMC7658605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study analysed the effectiveness of plasma treatment on airborne bacteria and surface counts during a 14-day intervention within a four-bedded bay in an adult respiratory ward at Cork University Hospital, Ireland. One-hundred-litre air samples were collected twice daily every weekday for 4 weeks, with settle plates and surface swabs. The plasma treatment did not have an effect on airborne bacteria and fungi that was detectable by culture. However, the possibility that culture-based sampling may be insufficiently sensitive to detect an effect, or that the duration of the study was insufficient for plasma treatment to affect a complex environment, cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fennelly
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - D J O'Connor
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S Hellebust
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - N Murphy
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - C Casey
- College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - J Eustace
- Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility-Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - B J Plant
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland; College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - J R Sodeau
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Chemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - M B Prentice
- Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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30
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Aubin S, Hamdi EM, Joly A, Sarazin P, Lesage J, Breau L, Spence M, Gagné S. On-site comparison of the OSHA 47, Asset EZ4-NCO, Iso-Chek, DAN, and CIP10 methods for measuring methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) at an oriented-strand board (OSB) factory. J Occup Environ Hyg 2020; 17:560-573. [PMID: 33196402 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2020.1834111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Diisocyanates are occupational contaminants and known sensitizers causing irritation (skin and respiratory tract) as well as occupational asthma. Because of their physicochemical properties (semi-volatile and high reactivity) and low occupational limits, diisocyanate exposure evaluation is still a challenge nowadays for industrial hygienists and laboratories. The objective of this study was to compare the methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) concentrations measured by five methods using different collection or derivatization approaches in an oriented-strand board (OSB) factory. The methods used were: OSHA 47 (filter, 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine) (OSHA), Asset EZ4-NCO (denuder and filter, dibutylamine) (Asset), Iso-Chek (double-filter, 9-(N-methylaminomethyl) anthracene and 1,2-methoxyphenylpiperazine), DAN (filter, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene), and CIP10 (centrifugation, 1,2-methoxyphenylpiperazine). Real-time monitoring of particle concentration and size distribution was performed to explain the potential bias between methods. The comparison study was performed over 3 consecutive days, generating at least 18 replicates for each of the 5 methods. The results of each methods were compared using linear mixed effect modeling. Compared to Asset, which yielded the highest concentrations overall, the OSHA method provided the smallest bias with -18% (95% CI [-61;24]) (not significant) for MDI monomer and the DAN method provided the smallest bias with -30 (95% CI [-70;9]) (not significant) for Total Reactive Isocyanate Group (TRIG). The CIP10 and Iso-Chek methods provided the largest biases for MDI monomer (-83% (95% CI [-115;-51]) and -78% (95% CI [-110;-46]), respectively) as well as for TRIG (-87% (95% CI [-120;-55]) and -75% (95% CI [-107;-44]), respectively). The underestimations of the CIP10 and Iso-Chek were explained by its inefficient sampling principle for fines particles and the use of a non-impregnated filter to collect aerosol MDI, respectively. This study confirms that impregnated filter, including denuding device such as the Asset EZ4-NCO sampler, collects the MDI-coated wood particles and MDI vapor with similar efficiency. It also demonstrates for the first time in this type of MDI emission a significant agreement for TRIG concentration between the DAN method in the impregnated filter configuration and an international standard one such as Asset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Aubin
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - El Mekki Hamdi
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Audrey Joly
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Sarazin
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques Lesage
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Livain Breau
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mark Spence
- International Isocyanate Institute, Inc, Boonton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sébastien Gagné
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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31
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Wei L, Huang W, Lu X, Wang Y, Cheng L, Deng R, Long H, Zong Z. Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in patient surroundings and on personal protective equipment in a non-ICU isolation ward for COVID-19 patients with prolonged PCR positive status. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2020; 9:167. [PMID: 33121538 PMCID: PMC7594964 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-020-00839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives We performed an environmental sampling study to investigate the environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 by COVID-19 patients with prolonged PCR positive status of clinical samples. Methods We sampled the air from rooms for nine COVID-19 patients with illness or positive PCR > 30 days, before and after nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabbing and before and after nebulization treatment. We also sampled patients’ surroundings and healthcare workers’ personal protection equipment (PPE) in a non-ICU ward. SARS-CoV-2 was detected by PCR. Results Eighty-eight samples were collected from high-touch surfaces and floors in patient rooms and toilets, with only the bedsheets of two patients and one toilet positive for SARS-CoV-2. All air samples (n = 34) were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Fifty-five samples collected from PPE were all negative. Conclusion Contamination of near-patient surroundings was uncommon for COVID-19 patients with prolonged PCR positive status if environmental cleaning/disinfection were performed rigorously. Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was unlikely in these non-ICU settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wei
- Department of Infection Control, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenzhi Huang
- Department of Infection Control, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaojun Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yantong Wang
- Department of Infection Control, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Linzhi Cheng
- Department of Infection Control, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Deng
- Center for Pathogen Research, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haiyan Long
- Center for Pathogen Research, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiyong Zong
- Department of Infection Control, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. .,Center for Pathogen Research, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. .,Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Gladding TL, Rolph CA, Gwyther CL, Kinnersley R, Walsh K, Tyrrel S. Concentration and composition of bioaerosol emissions from intensive farms: Pig and poultry livestock. J Environ Manage 2020; 272:111052. [PMID: 32669254 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Intensive farming is widespread throughout the UK and yet the health effects of bioaerosols which may be generated by these sites are currently not well researched. A scoping study was established to measure bioaerosols emitted from intensive pig (n = 3) and poultry farms (n = 3) during the period 2014-2015. The concentration of culturable mesophilic bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., and fungi selecting for presumptive Aspergillus fumigatus were measured using single-stage impaction Andersen samplers, whilst endotoxin and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan was undertaken using inhalable personal samplers. Particulate matter concentration was determined using an optical particulate monitor. Results showed that culturable bacteria, fungi, presumptive Staphylococcus aureus (confirmed only as Staphylococcus spp.) and endotoxin concentrations were elevated above background concentrations for distances of up to 250 m downwind of the source. Of all the culturable bioaerosols measured, bacteria and Staphylococcus spp. were identified as the most significant, exceeding published or proposed bioaerosol guidelines in the UK. In particular, culturable Staphylococcus spp. downwind was at least 61 times higher than background at the boundary and at least 8 times higher 70m downwind on the four farms tested. This research represents a novel dataset of intensive farm emissions within the UK. Future research should exploit the use of innovative culture-independent methods such as next generation sequencing to develop deeper insights into the make-up of microbial communities emitted from intensive farming facilities and which would better inform species of interest from a public health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Gladding
- The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - C A Rolph
- The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - C L Gwyther
- The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - R Kinnersley
- The Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH, UK
| | - K Walsh
- The Environment Agency, Horizon House, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AH, UK
| | - S Tyrrel
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
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Odetayo AA, Reible DD, Acevedo-Mackey D, Price C, Thai L. Development of polyoxymethylene passive sampler for assessing air concentrations of PCBs at a confined disposal facility (CDF). Environ Pollut 2020; 265:114720. [PMID: 32473506 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 76 μm polyoxymethylene (POM) strips were evaluated as a passive air sampler (PAS) for monitoring the volatile emissions from dredged material placed in confined disposal facilities (CDF). Laboratory evaluations were used to assess the uptake kinetics, average equilibrium time, and estimate the POM-air partition coefficients (KPOM-A) of 16 PCB congeners. The uptake kinetics defined the effective averaging time for air sampling and ranged from about a week for dichlorobiphenyls to 2 weeks or more for tetra- and pentachlorobiphenyls at ∼20 °C under internal mass transfer resistance control which was applicable for Log KPOM-A < 8. The measured Log KPOM-A for PCBs ranged from 5.65 to 9.34 and exhibited an average deviation of 0.19 log unit from the theoretical value of KPOM-W/KAW. The PAS approach was then tested with a preliminary field application (n = 17) at a CDF allowing equilibration over 42 days. The field application focused on lower congener PCBs as a result of the estimated increase in KPOM-A and longer uptake times expected at the low ambient temperatures during the field study (average of 3.5 °C). Total PCB air concentrations around the CDF averaged 0.32 ng/m3 and varied according to proximity to placement of the dredged materials and predominant wind directions. Average PAS concentration of low congener number PCBs (15, 18, 20/28, 31) were compared to available high volume air sampler (HVAS) measurements. The PAS concentrations were within 20% of HVAS in the dominant north and south directions and showed similar trends as east and west HVAS samplers although PAS concentrations were as much as an order of magnitude below the west HVAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adesewa A Odetayo
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, 911 Boston Avenue, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
| | - Danny D Reible
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, 911 Boston Avenue, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
| | - Damarys Acevedo-Mackey
- U. S Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd., Vicksburg, MS. 39180, USA
| | - Cynthia Price
- U. S Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd., Vicksburg, MS. 39180, USA
| | - Le Thai
- U. S Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, USA
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Watt AE, Browning GF, Markham PF, Marenda MS. Detection of naturally aerosolized Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae on pig farms by cyclonic air sampling and qPCR. Vet Microbiol 2020; 250:108856. [PMID: 33007607 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory infections caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae have a large impact on commercial pig farms globally. As current vaccines have limited efficacy, animal care and air hygiene are critical for disease control. Here we used a Coriolis μ cyclonic air sampler and an A. pleuropneumoniae-specific apxIV gene qPCR assay to detect the organism. Air samples were collected into a liquid medium by the Coriolis μ sampler for A. pleuropneumoniae detection by plate culture and qPCR assay. The method was validated by comparing the Coriolis μ sampler and a plate impactor (Millipore Air-T) in a specially designed aerosolization chamber. Two commercial farms, housing pigs between 3 and 21 weeks of age, were tested. On one farm, A. pleuropneumoniae was detected in low numbers (1000 organisms/m3 air) by qPCR, but not by culture, from sheds containing 8, 12, 16, and 18 weeks-old pigs. To our knowledge this is the first successful detection of naturally aerosolised A. pleuropneumoniae in commercial farms with the Coriolis μ air sampler, potentially allowing the identification of sub-clinically infected populations of pigs in the field.
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Colapicchioni V, Mosca S, Cerasa M, Benedetti P, Guerriero E, Perilli M, Rotatori M. Evaluation of the concentration of the toxic 2,3,6,7-tetrachlorobiphenylene in air after an electrical material fire. J Hazard Mater 2020; 393:122284. [PMID: 32120222 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
It is known that when fires or explosions involve electrical systems, along with PCDDs and PCDFs, polychlorinated biphenylenes (PCBPs) are also produced. These chlorinated tricyclic aromatic pollutants were noticed in fire rubbles and after the World Trade Center destruction. However, the analytical difficulties in developing an efficient method have limited the knowledge of their environmental distribution. In light of the equipotency of 2,3,6,7-TeCBP and 2,3,7,8-TeCDD, PCBPs call for more accurate investigations. In this paper, for the first time, the level and persistence of 2,3,6,7-TeCBP have been investigated in air samples (both indoor and outdoor) after a fire broke out in an industrial building. GC-MS/MS analysis revealed that 2,3,6,7-TeCBP concentrations after the fire (3046 fg/m3 at the "epicentre") were remarkably higher than that of the 2,3,7,8-TeCDD. Moreover, the monitoring for over two years has demonstrated the persistent nature of this compound. 2,3,6,7-TeCBP was also analyzed in two different ambient air scenario: industrial and periurban areas and in both cases its concentrations were no matter of concern, confirming the correlation of 2,3,6,7-TeCBP with fire episodes. Collectively, 2,3,6,7-TeCBP, because of its toxicity, concentration and persistence, is a crucial compound in the evaluation of the health effects correlated with fires of electrical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Colapicchioni
- Italian National Research Council - Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Silvia Mosca
- Italian National Research Council - Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Marina Cerasa
- Italian National Research Council - Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Paolo Benedetti
- Italian National Research Council - Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Ettore Guerriero
- Italian National Research Council - Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Mattia Perilli
- Italian National Research Council - Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
| | - Mauro Rotatori
- Italian National Research Council - Institute for Atmospheric Pollution Research (CNR-IIA), Via Salaria km 29, 300 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
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Fent KW, LaGuardia M, Luellen D, McCormick S, Mayer A, Chen IC, Kerber S, Smith D, Horn GP. Flame retardants, dioxins, and furans in air and on firefighters' protective ensembles during controlled residential firefighting. Environ Int 2020; 140:105756. [PMID: 32388249 PMCID: PMC9989945 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Structure fires that involve modern furnishings may emit brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), as well as brominated and chlorinated dioxins and furans, into the environment. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to quantify the airborne and personal protective equipment (PPE) contamination levels of these compounds during controlled residential fires in the U.S., and to evaluate gross-decontamination measures. METHODS Bulk-sampling was done to confirm the presence of flame retardants (FRs) in the furnishings used in 12 controlled residential structure fires. Area air samples were collected during the fires and PPE wipe samples were collected from the firefighters' turnout jackets and gloves after firefighting. For each fire, half of the jackets were decontaminated and the other half were not. RESULTS Of the BFRs and OPFRs measured in air during the fire period, decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) were the most abundant, with medians of 15.6 and 408 µg/m3, respectively, and were also detected during overhaul. These and several other BFRs and OPFRs were measured on PPE. Some gloves had contaminant levels exceeding 100 ng/cm2 and were generally more contaminated than jackets. Air and surface levels of the brominated furans appeared to be higher than the chlorinated dioxins and furans. Routine gross decontamination appeared to reduce many of the BFR contaminants, but results for the OPFRs were mixed. CONCLUSIONS Structure fires are likely to result in a variety of FRs, dioxins, and furans into the environment, leading to PPE contamination for those working on the fireground. Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus during all phases of the response and launder or decontaminate their PPE (including gloves) after fire events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W Fent
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Mark LaGuardia
- Department of Aquatic Health Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, USA
| | - Drew Luellen
- Department of Aquatic Health Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, USA
| | - Seth McCormick
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Alexander Mayer
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - I-Chen Chen
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Steve Kerber
- Firefighter Safety Research Institute, Underwriters Laboratories, Columbia, MD, USA
| | - Denise Smith
- Health and Human Physiological Sciences Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA; Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Gavin P Horn
- Firefighter Safety Research Institute, Underwriters Laboratories, Columbia, MD, USA; Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
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Dunn KL, Hammond D, Menchaca K, Roth G, Dunn KH. Reducing ultrafine particulate emission from multiple 3D printers in an office environment using a prototype engineering control. J Nanopart Res 2020; 22:10.1007/s11051-020-04844-4. [PMID: 34552386 PMCID: PMC8455153 DOI: 10.1007/s11051-020-04844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that high concentrations of ultrafine particles can be emitted during the 3D printing process. This study characterized the emissions from different filaments using common fused deposition modeling printers. It also assessed the effectiveness of a novel engineering control designed to capture emissions directly at the extruder head. Airborne particle and volatile organic compound concentrations were measured, and particle emission rates were calculated for several different 3D printer and filament combinations. Each printer and filament combination was tested inside a test chamber to measure overall emissions using the same print design for approximately 2 h. Emission rates ranged from 0.71 × 107 to 1400 × 107 particles/min, with particle geometric mean diameters ranging from 45.6 to 62.3 nm. To assess the effectiveness of a custom-designed engineering control, a 1-h print program using a MakerBot Replicator+ with Slate Gray Tough polylactic acid filament was employed. Emission rates and particle counts were evaluated both with and without the extruder head emission control installed. Use of the control showed a 98% reduction in ultrafine particle concentrations from an individual 3D printer evaluated in a test chamber. An assessment of the control in a simulated makerspace with 20 printers operating showed particle counts approached or exceeded 20,000 particles/cm3 without the engineering controls but remained at or below background levels (< 1000 particles/cm3) with the engineering controls in place. This study showed that a low-cost control could be added to existing 3D printers to significantly reduce emissions to the work environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L Dunn
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue MS R5, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Duane Hammond
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue MS R5, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Kevin Menchaca
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue MS R5, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Gary Roth
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue MS R5, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
| | - Kevin H Dunn
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Avenue MS R5, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
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Aubin S, Hamdi EM, Joly A, Sarazin P, Lesage J, Breau L, Spence M, Gagné S. On site comparison of the OSHA 42, Asset EZ4-NCO, Iso-Chek, DAN and CIP10 methods for measuring toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at a polyurethane foam factory. J Occup Environ Hyg 2020; 17:207-219. [PMID: 32275486 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2020.1731518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Because of the semi-volatile nature of diisocyanates (being airborne in both physical vapor and particulate phases), their high reactivity and low occupational exposure limits, diisocyanate exposure evaluation has been challenging for industrial hygienists and laboratories. The objective of this study was to compare the toluene diisocyanate (2,4 and 2,6 isomers, TDI) concentration measured by five methods in a flexible polyurethane foam factory using different collection or derivatization approaches. The methods used were: OSHA 42 modified (filter, 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine) (OSHA), Asset EZ4-NCO (denuder and filter, dibutylamine) (Asset), Iso-Chek (double-filter, 9-(N-methylaminomethyl) anthracene and 1,2-methoxyphenylpiperazine), DAN (filter, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene), and CIP10 (centrifugation, 1,2-methoxyphenylpiperazine). Particle real-time monitoring for concentration and size distribution was performed in parallel to improve the understanding of the potential bias between methods. The comparison study was performed over 3 days, providing 18 replicates for each of the 5 methods. Isocyanate concentrations collected for each sampling method were compared using linear mixed effect modeling. Compared to OSHA, which yielded the highest concentrations overall, the Asset and DAN methods provided the smallest biases (-29% (95% CI [-52;-6]) and -45% (95% CI [-67;-23]), respectively), while the CIP10 and Iso-Chek methods provided the largest biases (-82% (95% CI [-105;-66]) and -96% (95% CI [-118;-75]), respectively). The substantial bias of Iso-Chek and CIP10 seemed to be explained by the predominance of TDI in the form of sub-micron particles that were inadequately captured by these two methods due to their sampling principle, which are particle filtration without derivatizing agent and centrifugation respectively. Asset and DAN performance seemed to decrease as the sampling time increased. While DAN's bias could be related to a reagent deficiency on the filter, the disparities between OSHA and Asset, both considered as reference methods, highlight the fact that the mechanisms of collection, derivation and extraction do not seem to be completely controlled. Finally, an upward trend has been observed between concentrations of particles below 300 nm in size and concentration levels of TDI. It has also been observed that TDI levels increased with the TDI foam index produced at the facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Aubin
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec
| | - El Mekki Hamdi
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec
| | - Audrey Joly
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec
| | - Philippe Sarazin
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques Lesage
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec
| | - Livain Breau
- Chemistry Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec
| | - Mark Spence
- International Isocyanate Institute, Inc., Boonton, New Jersey
| | - Sébastien Gagné
- Laboratory Division, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Durongphan A, Amornmettajit N, Rungruang J, Nitimanee E, Panichareon B. One academic year laboratory and student breathing zone formaldehyde level, measured by gas-piston hand pump at gross anatomy laboratory, Siriraj Hospital, Thailand. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:16521-16527. [PMID: 32125638 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study used a formaldehyde detector tube with a gas-piston hand pump to assess ceiling levels of student breathing zone and gross laboratory environment across the 2018 academic year. The room dimension was 28.6 × 55.48 × 5.5 m. It contained 90 cadavers, each placed on a hinged cover table. We measured before and during nine body region dissections. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between student exposure and laboratory environment levels. The highest level was student exposure during body wall dissection (2.7 ppm), the first laboratory; students may accidentally enter body cavities. The latter two were in abdominal (1.85 ppm) and lower limb dissections (1.49 ppm). The three highest environment levels were in different regions; spinal cord removal (1.13 ppm), lower limb (0.72 ppm), and thorax (0.71 ppm) dissection. Only the perineum environment level (0.09 ppm) was below the NIOSH ceiling level (0.1 ppm), which may result from the table covers that had been opened for 2 weeks before measurement. This study finding signified the importance of student personal exposure monitoring and encouraged the academic year measurement. Because each laboratory has unique factors, those affect formaldehyde levels; dissection steps, dissection table design, cadaver storage protocol, and heating-ventilation-air conditioning system performance, for instance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuch Durongphan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Nutchaya Amornmettajit
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Jarun Rungruang
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Eakkapong Nitimanee
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Benjaporn Panichareon
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
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Zahradnik E, Raulf M. Development of Mold Antigen-Specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) to Quantify Airborne Antigen Exposure. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2020:115-130. [PMID: 31177495 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9591-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Common methods to quantify molds in the environment are based on the detection of viable and nonviable fungal components using cultivation technique or assessment by microscopy. These methods are time consuming and laborious and require a high expertise and especially in airborne exposure studies they showed poor reproducibility. Therefore alternative techniques based on molecular or immunological tools attract wide interest. The development of specific ELISAs based on polyclonal antibodies to detect mold antigens in airborne samples starting with the extraction of the antigen material up to evaluation of the sandwich ELISA is summarized in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Zahradnik
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Center of Allergology/Immunology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Monika Raulf
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Center of Allergology/Immunology, Bochum, Germany.
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Johannessen GS, Garofolo G, Di Serafino G, Koláčková I, Karpíšková R, Wieczorek K, Osek J, Christensen J, Torp M, Hoorfar J. Campylobacter in chicken - Critical parameters for international, multicentre evaluation of air sampling and detection methods. Food Microbiol 2020; 90:103455. [PMID: 32336358 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The present pilot study aimed at evaluating air sampling as a novel method for monitoring Campylobacter in poultry farms. We compared the bacteriological isolation of Campylobacter from boot swabs and air filter samples using ISO 10272-1:2017. A secondary aim was to evaluate the use of molecular methods, i.e. real time PCR, on the same sample set. Samples from 44 flocks from five European countries were collected, and included air samples, in parallel with boot swabs. Campylobacter spp. was isolated from seven of 44 boot swabs from three of five partners using the enrichment method. Two of these positive boot swab samples had corresponding positive air samples. Using enrichment, one positive air sample was negative in the corresponding boot swabs, but Campylobacter spp. was isolated from direct plating of the boot swab sample. One partner isolated Campylobacter spp. from six of 10 boot swabs using direct plating. Overall, 33 air filter samples were screened directly with PCR, returning 14 positive results. In conclusion, there was a lack of correspondence between results from analysis of boot swabs and air filters using ISO 10272-1:2017. In contrast, the combination of air filters and direct real-time PCR might be a way forward. Despite the use of the detailed ISO protocols, there were still sections that could be interpreted differently among laboratories. Air sampling may turn into a multi-purpose and low-cost sampling method that may be integrated into self-monitoring programs.
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Bøifot KO, Gohli J, Moen LV, Dybwad M. Performance evaluation of a new custom, multi-component DNA isolation method optimized for use in shotgun metagenomic sequencing-based aerosol microbiome research. Environ Microbiome 2020; 15:1. [PMID: 33902731 PMCID: PMC8067373 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-019-0349-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aerosol microbiome research advances our understanding of bioaerosols, including how airborne microorganisms affect our health and surrounding environment. Traditional microbiological/molecular methods are commonly used to study bioaerosols, but do not allow for generic, unbiased microbiome profiling. Recent studies have adopted shotgun metagenomic sequencing (SMS) to address this issue. However, SMS requires relatively large DNA inputs, which are challenging when studying low biomass air environments, and puts high requirements on air sampling, sample processing and DNA isolation protocols. Previous SMS studies have consequently adopted various mitigation strategies, including long-duration sampling, sample pooling, and whole genome amplification, each associated with some inherent drawbacks/limitations. RESULTS Here, we demonstrate a new custom, multi-component DNA isolation method optimized for SMS-based aerosol microbiome research. The method achieves improved DNA yields from filter-collected air samples by isolating DNA from the entire filter extract, and ensures a more comprehensive microbiome representation by combining chemical, enzymatic and mechanical lysis. Benchmarking against two state-of-the-art DNA isolation methods was performed with a mock microbial community and real-world air samples. All methods demonstrated similar performance regarding DNA yield and community representation with the mock community. However, with subway samples, the new method obtained drastically improved DNA yields, while SMS revealed that the new method reported higher diversity. The new method involves intermediate filter extract separation into a pellet and supernatant fraction. Using subway samples, we demonstrate that supernatant inclusion results in improved DNA yields. Furthermore, SMS of pellet and supernatant fractions revealed overall similar taxonomic composition but also identified differences that could bias the microbiome profile, emphasizing the importance of processing the entire filter extract. CONCLUSIONS By demonstrating and benchmarking a new DNA isolation method optimized for SMS-based aerosol microbiome research with both a mock microbial community and real-world air samples, this study contributes to improved selection, harmonization, and standardization of DNA isolation methods. Our findings highlight the importance of ensuring end-to-end sample integrity and using methods with well-defined performance characteristics. Taken together, the demonstrated performance characteristics suggest the new method could be used to improve the quality of SMS-based aerosol microbiome research in low biomass air environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Oline Bøifot
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, P.O. Box 25, NO-2027, Kjeller, Norway
- Department of Analytics, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Jostein Gohli
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, P.O. Box 25, NO-2027, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Line Victoria Moen
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, P.O. Box 25, NO-2027, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Marius Dybwad
- Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, P.O. Box 25, NO-2027, Kjeller, Norway.
- Department of Analytics, Environmental & Forensic Sciences, King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London, SE1 9NH, UK.
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Rufino de Sousa N, Sandström N, Shen L, Håkansson K, Vezozzo R, Udekwu KI, Croda J, Rothfuchs AG. A fieldable electrostatic air sampler enabling tuberculosis detection in bioaerosols. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2020; 120:101896. [PMID: 32090857 PMCID: PMC7049907 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2019.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) infects about 25% of the world population and claims more human lives than any other infectious disease. TB is spread by inhalation of aerosols containing viable Mycobacterium tuberculosis expectorated or exhaled by patients with active pulmonary disease. Air-sampling technology could play an important role in TB control by enabling the detection of airborne M. tuberculosis, but tools that are easy to use and scalable in TB hotspots are lacking. We developed an electrostatic air sampler termed the TB Hotspot DetectOR (THOR) and investigated its performance in laboratory aerosol experiments and in a prison hotspot of TB transmission. We show that THOR collects aerosols carrying microspheres, Bacillus globigii spores and M. bovis BCG, concentrating these microparticles onto a collector piece designed for subsequent detection analysis. The unit was also successfully operated in the complex setting of a prison hotspot, enabling detection of a molecular signature for M. tuberculosis in the cough of inmates. Future deployment of this device may lead to a measurable impact on TB case-finding by screening individuals through the aerosols they generate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Rufino de Sousa
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas Sandström
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lei Shen
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kathleen Håkansson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rafaella Vezozzo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brazil
| | - Klas I Udekwu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institutet, Stockholms Universitet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julio Croda
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
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Engelsman M, Snoek MF, Banks APW, Cantrell P, Wang X, Toms LM, Koppel DJ. Exposure to metals and semivolatile organic compounds in Australian fire stations. Environ Res 2019; 179:108745. [PMID: 31546131 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Firefighting is an occupation with exposure to a wide range of chemicals by means of inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact. Although advancements in personal protective clothing and equipment have reduced the risks for acute exposure during fire suppression operations, chronic exposure may still be present at elevated levels in fire stations. The aim of this study was to assess chemicals in air and on surfaces in fire stations, compare this with other indoor environments, and use this data to estimate firefighter exposure within the fire station. Fifteen Australian fire stations were selected for chemical exposure assessment by means of 135 active air monitors, 60 passive air monitors, and 918 wipe samples. These samples were collected from the interior and exterior of fire stations, from personal protective clothing and equipment, and from within the cabins of vehicles. Chemicals analysed included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, metals, and diesel particulate matter. Specific chemicals were detected from within each class of chemicals, with metals being most frequently detected. Statistical analysis by means of Pearson's Correlations and threshold tests were used to consider the source of exposure, and a collective addition risk quotient calculation was used to determine firefighter exposure. The presence of metals in fire stations was compared with findings from global indoor dust measurements. Concentrations across firefighter ensemble, inside vehicle cabins, and within fire stations for chromium (39.5-493 μg/m2), lead (46.7-619 μg/m2), copper (594-3440 μg/m2), zinc (11100-20900 μg/m2), nickel (28.6-2469 μg/m2) and manganese (73.0-997 μg/m2) were in most instances orders of magnitude higher when compared with concentrations measured in homes and offices. Our study suggests that the elevated concentrations are associated with the transfer of chemicals from fire suppression operations. Due to this elevated concentration of chemicals, firefighters may face increased exposure, and in turn increased risk of adverse health effects. Data suggest that exposure may be mitigated by means of increased laundering frequency and increased decontamination at the scene of the fire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Engelsman
- Fire and Rescue NSW, 1 Amarina Avenue, Greenacre, NSW, 2190, Australia; QAEHS, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia.
| | - Milena F Snoek
- Centre for Health Service Development, Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI), Faculty of Business, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Andrew P W Banks
- QAEHS, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Phillip Cantrell
- SafeWork NSW, Hygiene & Toxicology Team, Hazardous Chemical Facilities & Safety Management Audits, Policy and Regulation Division, Department of Customer Services, Australia
| | - Xianyu Wang
- QAEHS, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Leisa-Maree Toms
- School of Public Health and Social Work and Institute of Biomedical Health and Innovation, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Darren J Koppel
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
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D'Amico A, Montagna MT, Caggiano G, De Giglio O, Rutigliano S, Lopuzzo M, Mascipinto S, Napoli C, Currà E, D'Alessandro D. Observational study on hospital building heritage and microbiological air quality in the orthopedic operating theater: the IM.PA.C.T. Project. Ann Ig 2019; 31:482-495. [PMID: 31304528 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2019.2309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study investigated 35 orthopedic OTs [17 with mixed flow (M-OTs), 18 with turbulent flow (T-OTs)]. METHODS The OTs were divided into two categories based on recurring architectural and construction solutions, collected by a survey form: type-A (recently built or renovated rooms), and type-B (other OTs). Assessment of microbial air contamination (colony forming units (cfu)/m3 obtained by active sampling via Surface Air System) was then performed. RESULTS In 97% of the OTs, a Total Viable Count (TVC) was within the limits recommended by ISPESL 2009; all A-type OTs, and 94% of B-type passed. The TVC of type-A OTs [median 15 cfu/m3, range 3-158] was lower than that of type-B OTs [median 28 cfu/m3, range 6-206], although the difference was not significant. The number of people in type-A [mean 8.6, range 6-11] was lower than in type-B [mean 9.6, range 7-13] OTs, and when adjusted to the volume of the OT (person/m3), showed a significant correlation with TVC (ρ = 0.383, p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the structural factors examined do not appear to significantly affect the microbiological air quality at the specific sampling point. However, further investigations are required to identify the factors that have the greatest effect on TVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D'Amico
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy - Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M T Montagna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - G Caggiano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - O De Giglio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - S Rutigliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - M Lopuzzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - S Mascipinto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - C Napoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E Currà
- Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D D'Alessandro
- Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
This case report summarises the investigation of a death scene in the trunk of a car. Air sampling, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry on samples of carpet and tyre well scrapings from the vehicle's trunk were utilised to confirm the presence of a human decompositional event even though no human remains were discovered in the vehicle. Air sampling has been used in numerous industries for many decades, but only recently has been applied to forensic investigations although it has been at the centre of controversy over the use of this technique in such cases. This report also describes the value of such investigative tools and points to the discovery of evidence, which, without the use of these techniques, would not have been identified.
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47
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Dougall LR, Booth MG, Khoo E, Hood H, MacGregor SJ, Anderson JG, Timoshkin IV, Maclean M. Continuous monitoring of aerial bioburden within intensive care isolation rooms and identification of high-risk activities. J Hosp Infect 2019; 103:185-192. [PMID: 31145931 PMCID: PMC7114667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background The spread of pathogens via the airborne route is often underestimated, and little is known about the extent to which airborne microbial contamination levels vary throughout the day and night in hospital facilities. Aims To evaluate airborne contamination levels within intensive care unit (ICU) isolation rooms over 10–24-h periods in order to improve understanding of the variability of environmental aerial bioburden, and the extent to which ward activities may contribute. Methods Environmental air monitoring was conducted within occupied and vacant inpatient isolation rooms. A sieve impactor sampler was used to collect 500-L air samples every 15 min over 10-h (08:00–18:00 h) and 24-h (08:00–08:00 h) periods. Samples were collected, room activity was logged, and bacterial contamination levels were recorded as colony-forming units (cfu)/m3 air. Findings A high degree of variability in levels of airborne contamination was observed across all scenarios in the studied isolation rooms. Air bioburden increased as room occupancy increased, with air contamination levels highest in rooms occupied for the longest time during the study (10 days) (mean 104.4 cfu/m3, range 12–510 cfu/m3). Counts were lowest in unoccupied rooms (mean 20 cfu/m3) and during the night. Conclusion Peaks in airborne contamination were directly associated with an increase in activity levels. This study provides the first clear evidence of the extent of variability in microbial airborne levels over 24-h periods in ICU isolation rooms, and found direct correlation between microbial load and ward activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Dougall
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilisation Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
| | - M G Booth
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - E Khoo
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - H Hood
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - S J MacGregor
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilisation Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - J G Anderson
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilisation Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - I V Timoshkin
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilisation Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - M Maclean
- The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilisation Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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48
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Ruiz-Jimenez J, Zanca N, Lan H, Jussila M, Hartonen K, Riekkola ML. Aerial drone as a carrier for miniaturized air sampling systems. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1597:202-8. [PMID: 31030954 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The applicability of an aerial drone as a carrier for new passive and active miniaturized air sampling systems, including solid phase microextration Arrow (SPME Arrow) and in-tube extraction (ITEX), was studied in this research. Thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected by the sampling systems. The direct comparison of the profiles of VOCs, simultaneously sampled in air by SPME Arrow system including four different coatings, allowed the elucidation of their adsorption selectivity. A more complex experimental design, involving 20 samples (10 flights) and non-supervised pattern recognition techniques, was needed for the clarification of the same sampling parameters in the case of five ITEX sorbent materials. In addition, ITEX sampling accessories, such as particle, water and ozone traps, were evaluated by comparing the results obtained for air samples simultaneously collected by two ITEX systems, packed with the same sorbent and furnished or not with sampling accessories. The effect of the aerial drone horizontal displacement (HD) on the sampling efficiency was clear in the case of SPME Arrow. The number of detected compounds and their relative peak area values (RPA) revealed a clear increase (4 and 43%, respectively) in comparison with samples collected without drone HD. However, just minor differences were observed in the case of ITEX (2 compounds and 9% of the ∑RPA). In addition, the system was able to provide almost simultaneous passive (SPME Arrow) and active (ITEX) samplings at different altitudes (5 and 50 m), being a good tool for low cost vertical profiling studies (∑RPA decreased over 35% for the samples collected at 50 m). Finally, the successful simultaneous air sampling by SPME Arrow and ITEX systems in two difficult access places, such as boreal forest and wetlands, was demonstrated, resulting in 21 and 31 detected compounds in forest and wetlands by SPME Arrow, and 27 and 39 compounds by ITEX.
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49
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Chang PT, Hung PC, Tsai SW. Occupational exposures of flour dust and airborne chemicals at bakeries in Taiwan. J Occup Environ Hyg 2018; 15:580-587. [PMID: 29708861 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1470634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Walk-through surveys were carried out for bakeries in this study to determine the environmental characteristics of bakeries in Taiwan. Questionnaires were administrated to discover whether job-related asthma-like symptoms occurred among workers. Air sampling and analysis were also performed. The results show that the levels of inhalable flour dust ranged from 0.01-0.83 mg m-3 with an average of 0.27 mg m-3. Among the samples collected, 23% of them had concentrations higher than the ACGIH TLV-TWA (0.5 mg m-3), which indicated that inhalable flour dust was an important air pollutant for bakery workers in Taiwan. Airborne chemicals such as diacetyl, acetoin, 2,3-pentanedione, 2,3-hexanedione, 2,3-heptanedione, furfural, and acetaldehyde were also found in various levels in this study. The concentrations of acetaldehyde measured in these bakeries were 37-83 times higher than what have been reported from other studies for residential areas and Chinese restaurants. In addition, the concentrations of total VOCs in the working areas of the bakeries were over 21 times higher than the levels determined in the non-working areas. Based on our results, there appears to be a need to improve the air quality of the working environments of bakeries in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Ting Chang
- a Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health , National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chen Hung
- b Institute of Labor , Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor , Sijhih City, Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Shih-Wei Tsai
- a Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health , National Taiwan University , Taipei, Taiwan
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50
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van der Wolf JM, Evenhuis A, Kastelein P, Krijger MC, Funke VZ, van den Berg W, Moene AF. Risks for infection of strawberry plants with an aerosolized inoculum of Xanthomonas fragariae. Eur J Plant Pathol 2018; 152:711-722. [PMID: 30930545 PMCID: PMC6404663 DOI: 10.1007/s10658-018-1513-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Xanthomonas fragariae is the causative agent of angular leaf spot of strawberry, a quarantine organism in plant propagation material in the European Union. Field experiments were conducted to assess the risks for infection of strawberry plants through dispersal of an aerosolized inoculum. In practice, pathogen aerosols can be formed during mowing of an infected crop or by water splashing on symptomatic plants during overhead irrigation or rain. In our experiments, aerosols were generated by spraying suspensions of X. fragariae with a density of 108 cfu ml-1 or water under pressure vertically up into the air. In strawberry plants (cv Elsanta) placed at 1.3, 5 and 10 m distance downwind from the spray boom, infections were found, as evidenced with a combination of dilution-plating and molecular techniques, but more frequently in plants wetted prior to inoculation than in plants kept dry. A logarithmic decrease in infection incidence was found with the distance to the inoculum source. Symptomatic plants were found up to 5 m distance from the inoculum source. No infected plants were found in plants placed 4 m upwind or treated with water. In glasshouse studies, it was shown that under conditions favorable for disease development, spray-inoculation of strawberry plants with estimated densities of X. fragariae as low as 2000 cfu per plant were able to cause symptoms both in cv Elsanta and cv Sonata. Results indicate that there is a considerable risk on infections of strawberry plants exposed to aerosolized inoculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. M. van der Wolf
- Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 Wageningen, AA Netherlands
| | - A. Evenhuis
- Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 Wageningen, AA Netherlands
| | - P. Kastelein
- Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 Wageningen, AA Netherlands
| | - M. C. Krijger
- Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 Wageningen, AA Netherlands
| | - V. Z. Funke
- Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 Wageningen, AA Netherlands
| | - W. van den Berg
- Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 Wageningen, AA Netherlands
| | - A. F. Moene
- Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, 6700 Wageningen, AA Netherlands
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