Bioaerosols

READING ASSIGNMENT:
None

OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the class, students will be able to:

• Define bioaerosols and provide an overview of indoor air quality issues associated with them
• Identify medical conditions related to indoor air quality
• Give examples of the range of microorganisms and biological materials usually linked with bioaerosols and indoor air quality issues
• Identify the conditions required for the growth, proliferation and dissemination of microorganisms in buildings
• Provide an overview of general building design and explain the components of a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system
• Review preliminary assessment steps for conducting an indoor air quality investigation associated with microorganisms
• Outline bioaerosol monitoring equipment and sampling procedures for the identification and enumeration of viable microorganisms in building air and on surfaces
• Describe the typical remediation measures for building microbial problems and the control measures required to control the spread of bioaerosols

POWERPOINT LECTURE TITLE:
Lecture 8

STUDENT HANDOUTS:
None

IN-CLASS EXERCISES OR TOURS:
The following two tours can be scheduled together to replace one full course lecture or maybe scheduled at alternate time when all students are available to meet with power plant and/or building management representatives. Participants must be provided with hard hats, safety glasses and any items of personal protective equipment required or entry into the power plant and/or building mechanical rooms.

Tour of Campus Power Plant
This tour should consist of a brief meeting for the students with a representative or the power plant and a representative from the water treatment management company. Students should be provided with an overview of power plant operation and the volume, distribution, use and flow of water within the facility. A description of the chemicals used to control microorganisms, the target chemical concentration range, and delivery mechanisms, and efficacy test procedures should also be provided to the students.

Tour of a Building Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System
A member of the institution’s building maintenance group should select a building with an HVAC system that is easily accessible and accommodating of a group of up to 10 students. Outdoor air intake vents, exhaust stacks, exhaust and supply fans, heating and cooling coils, and condensate drip pans or drains. A description of the preventive maintenance program should be provided.

FILMS:
None

CLASS DEMONSTRATION (EQUIPMENT/DEVICES):

• Anderson Sampler (2 Stage Cascade Impactor) and sample media plates
• Swabs for sampling surfaces
• Q-Trak Monitor (Temp., %RH, CO2, and CO)
• Dust-Trak Particulate Monitor
• Photo Ionization Detector (PID)

HOMEWORK:
The following exercise is normally conducted outside of the normal class meeting time. The instructor, students and any additional assistants must coordinate the dates/times for sampling. Transport of equipment, calibration, set-up, monitoring of both complaint and comparison areas, packaging samples, recalibration and equipment break down could take up to 4 hours.

Groups of 2 or more are recommended to identify a “complaint” area or an area of potential concern for evaluation using the equipment demonstrated in class. The group should tour the proposed sampling area, develop a sampling strategy, take the desired samples, participate in the packaging and shipment of the samples to the laboratory, review the results, and write a report outlining the findings of the evaluation and the group’s recommendations.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:

• EPA Guide to Building Air Quality for Building Owners
• Rao, C.Y., Burge, H.A., and Chang, J.C.S., “Review of Quantitative Standards and Guidelines for Fungi in Indoor Air,” Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, Vol. 46, Sept. 1996, 899-908.