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Short-term dynamic patterns of bioaerosol generation and displacement in an indoor environment

Brandl, Helmut ; von Däniken, Astrid ; Hitz, Carmen ; Krebs, Walter

In: Aerobiologia, 2008, vol. 24, no. 4, p. 203-209

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    Title
    • Short-term dynamic patterns of bioaerosol generation and displacement in an indoor environment
    Author
    • Brandl, Helmut. Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • von Däniken, Astrid. Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Hitz, Carmen. Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Krebs, Walter. Department of Biology and Biological Chemistry, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Technikumstrasse 9, 8401, Winterthur, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:318696
    Summary
    The short-term dynamics and distribution of airborne biological and total particles have been assessed in a large university hallway by particle counting using laser particle counters and impaction air samplers. Particle numbers of four different size ranges were determined every 2min over several hours. Bioaerosols (culturable bacteria and fungi determined as colony-forming units) were directly collected every 5min on Petri dishes containing the appropriate growth medium. Results clearly show distinct short-term dynamics of particulate aerosols, of both biological and non-biological origin. These reproducible periodic patterns are closely related to periods when lectures are held in lecture rooms and the intermissions in between when students are present in the hallway. Peaks of airborne culturable bacteria were observed with a periodicity of 1h. Bioaerosol concentrations follow synchronously the variation in the total number of particles. These highly reproducible temporal dynamics should be considered when monitoring indoor environments to determine air quality