Partic. vol. 20 pp. 110-113 (June 2015)
doi: 10.1016/j.partic.2014.11.008

Some aspects on the sampling efficiency of microbial impaction air samplers

Francesco Romano^a,*, Jan Gustén^b, Cesare M. Joppolo^a, Bengt Ljungqvist^b, Berit Reinmüller^b

francesco.romano@polimi.it

Abstract

Indoor microbial monitoring is an important health issue in many sectors of society. In particular, it is important to monitor microbial concentrations in environments dealing with bio-susceptible products. Many human diseases are related to high, undesired microbial airborne concentrations. However, the lack of a standardized and well-accepted methodology for testing and ranking the performance of microbial air samplers is a source of uncertainty in such measurements. Several works clearly show that results obtained from microbial air sampling depend largely on measuring techniques, especially the air samplers’ physical parameters, such as d₅₀, as well as environmental conditions, sources, and concentrations of microbial organisms in the environment. Furthermore, personnel using cleanroom clothing can reduce the microbial burden within a clean environment. To evaluate this effect, we carried out experimental comparison tests in a cleanroom of class ISO 5 with different air samplers under various microbial concentration levels, generated by a human source dressed in different quality cleanroom clothing. Our results confirm that in addition to the measuring technique, cleanroom clothing does influence microbial contamination, affecting air sampler measurements.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Indoor microbial monitoring; Sampling efficiency; Impaction air sampler; Airborne contamination; Cleanroom clothing system; d₅₀