Author:

Buttner MARK P. BUTTNER AND LINDA D. STETZENBACH*

Date: 17 May 2005

Abstract:

Aerobiological monitoring was conducted in an experimental room to aid in the development of standardizedsampling protocols for airborne microorganisms in the indoor environment. The objectives of this researchwere to evaluate the relative efficiencies of selected sampling methods for the retrieval of airborne fungal sporesand to determine the effect of human activity on air sampling. Dry aerosols containing known concentrationsof Penicillium chrysogenum spores were generated, and air samples were taken by using Andersen six-stage,Surface Air System, Burkard, and depositional samplers. The Andersen and Burkard samplers retrieved thehighest numbers of spores compared with the measurement standard, an aerodynamic particle sizer locatedinside the room. Data from paired samplers demonstrated that the Andersen sampler had the highest levels ofsensitivity and repeatability. With a carpet as the source ofP. chrysogenum spores, the effects ofhuman activity(walking or vacuuming near the sampling site) on air sampling were also examined. Air samples were takenunder undisturbed conditions and after human activity in the room. Human activity resulted in retrieval ofsignificantly higher concentrations of airborne spores. Surface sampling of the carpet revealed moderate toheavy contamination despite relatively low airborne counts. Therefore, in certain situations, air samplingwithout concomitant surface sampling may not adequately reflect the level of microbial contamination in indoor environments.

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