Airborne Aerosol Analysis
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Fungal Sampling Information
Non Fungal Sampling
Information
Chain of Custody (Normal)
Qualtest, Inc.   2458 Alton Parkway   Irvine, CA   92606 Phone: (949) 838-0378
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Introduction

Indoor air quality professionals should thoroughly investigate IAQ problems.
Identification of airborne non-biological and biological particulates other than mold
may be the solution to other IAQ problems. The non-biological particles may
include, but are not limited to, fiberglass, cellulose fibers, synthetic fibers, and
inorganic particulates (e.g. gypsum board, copy toner, ect.). The biological particles
may include, but are not limited to, mold spores, pollen, insect parts, dust mites and
skin cells, ect.

Qualtest provides an Airborne Aerosol Particle Analysis that will allow IAQ
professionals to investigate the IAQ problems where microbial issues have been
excluded.

Our reports not only include the identification and enumeration of the fungal spores
trapped on the sample but also other important IAQ Airborne Aerosol Particles
including pollen, insect fragments, dust mites, skin cells, biological, cellulose and
synthetic fibers and others.

Purpose

Airborne aerosols play an important role in affecting air quality and human health.
The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate airborne aerosol concentrations of pollen,
skin cells, dust mites, arthropod fragments, plant fragments, organic fibers
(cellulose and synthetic), inorganic fibers (fiberglass) and opaque particles. This test
can help isolate the source for dust buildup and is routinely utilized on different
sites where indoor air quality is questioned.

Applications

  • Indoor Air Quality:

    Monitoring mold spores, pollen, insect parts, dust mites, skin cells, plant
    fragments, dust, fibers ect.

  • Allergy Testing:

    Detection of mold spores, pollen, insect parts and dust mites.

  • Clean Room Monitoring:

    Evaluation of airborne dust and contaminates from personnel (skin cells,
    clothing fibers, ect.).

Sampling Device

Spore trap cassettes provide a relatively simple and cost-effective way to determine
concentration of airborne aerosol particles in air samples. The most common air
samplers are Zefon Air-O-Cell, Burkhard, Micro 5, and Cyclex-D. The sample is
analyzed in the laboratory by direct microscopy. Aerosol particles are identified
and counted. The results are presented as particles per cubic meter of air.

Sampling Method

The spore trap is designed for capturing airborne particles, including fungal spores.
The cassette draws air through a slit thereby impacting particles onto a glass slide
that is coated so that the particles will stick to the slide. The device is connected to a
vacuum pump calibrated at manufacturers recommended flow rates as used for
sampling air for fungi.

Recommendations

  • Recommended flow rate is 15 liters per minute.
  • The sampling time is dependent on the density of particulates in the
    environment.

    Clean "office" or outdoors with no visible dust                                       10 min.
    Indoor environment, high activity & personnel                                        5 min.
    Dusty, dirty, visible particles in the air                                                     3 min.
    Indoor environment, drywall renovation or heavy industrial dust          1 min.

  • Obtain an outdoor sample to be used as a comparison to the indoor samples.
  • Using a blank cassette for analysis periodically is a good practice.

Particle Identification and Health Implications

  • Fungal Spores

    Fungi are microscopic organisms, present virtually everywhere indoors and
    outdoors. Most fungi reproduce by forming spores that disperse into the air
    and become airborne. Several fungi grow, both indoors and outdoors, that
    produce allergenic substances causing allergy symptoms and are occasionally
    responsible for respiratory illness in immunocompromised individuals. The
    detection of fungal matters (spores and hyphal fragments) in a high
    concentration in air samples would indicate indoor fungal growth.

  • Pollens

    Pollens are microscopic grains produced by plants in order to reproduce.
    They can trigger allergic reactions that doctors call pollen allergies, seasonal
    allergies or rhinitis, which many people know as hay fever. They also induce
    reactions including extrinsic asthma and bronchitis. Pollens most likely come
    from outdoors unless there are flowering plants located indoors. Pollens
    enter the house through open doors and windows, HVAC systems, through
    cracks, on shoes and clothing or they can be brought in by pets. Detection of
    pollen is common in air samples. High concentrations of pollens in an indoor
    environment indicates poor filtration of the HVAC system or the presence of
    indoor flowering plants.

  • Plant Hair (Trichomes)

    Plant hairs are epidermal outgrowths of various kinds. Plant hairs may be
    unicellular or multicellular, branched or unbranched. Plant hairs and decayed
    leaves are likely to come from outdoor sources through HVAC systems, open
    doors and windows or carried in by humans or pets. The presence of these
    components in an indoor environment is often associated with poor filtration
    in the HVAC system.

  • Insect Parts

    Insect parts include different body parts like antennae, legs, scales, body
    hairs, and wing fragments. If the concentration of insect parts is high, this
    may be an indicator of an infestation or inadequate building maintenance
    and/or poor air filtration.

  • Dust Mites

    Dust mites are microscopic animals that use dead skin cells from humans and
    animals as well as mold spores as a food source. Various allergens are
    produced by dust mite feces and body parts. Occasionally dust mites are
    found in air samples when inadequate housekeeping or extensive mold
    growth is present. The detection of dust mites in air samples may be
    indicative of an infestation.

  • Bird Feathers

    Bird feather fibrils and down feathers are occasionally found in an indoor
    environment. Inhalation of high levels of feathers, feather dust and/or feces
    may cause allergic effects including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, parakeet
    dander pneumoconiosis and pigeon lung disease. Bird feathers likely come
    from outdoor sources through HVAC systems, open doors and windows or
    from pet birds inside the building. The presence of these components in
    indoor environments is often associated with poor filtration in the HVAC
    system.

  • Skin Cells (Dander)

    Skin cells are tiny scales shed from human or animal skin and hair. Dander
    floats in the air, settles on surfaces and makes up much of household dust.
    Animal dander is made up of dead skin cells that are continually shed.
    Animals that are known to produce dander are dogs, cats, hamsters, mice
    and birds. People allergic to pets are sensitive to the animal dander and cat
    dander is a classic cause of allergic reactions when it becomes airborne. Skin
    cells in an indoor environment are likely to come from humans unless animals
    are present indoors. Skin cell fragments present at least 50% in volume of
    other particulates in indoor air samples. Detection of high concentrations of
    skin cells in indoor air samples is a good indication of high occupant density,
    inadequate housekeeping and cleaning practices and/or poor air filtration.

  • Cellulosic Fibers

    Cellulosic fibers are natural fibers that come from plants. They are in clothing,
    paper products and building materials including ceiling tiles, drywall, some
    types of carpet and insulation materials. These fibers are commonly detected
    in indoor air samples. High concentration of cellulosic fibers in air samples is
    usually associated with inadequate housekeeping and ventilation and/or high
    occupancy rate of the space.

  • Synthetic Fibers

    Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers, which are based on synthetic chemicals
    rather than arising from natural sources. Such fibers are quite often made
    from nylon, polyester, or acrylic polymers. Synthetic fibers are made into
    fabrics, clothing and fleecy materials such as carpet, ceiling tiles, wall
    dividers, drapes, furniture and bedding. Synthetic fibers are commonly
    detected in air samples. There are two major problems with textiles regarding
    indoor air pollution: 1) They serve as fleecy materials in which indoor air
    pollutants, both chemical and biological, are trapped and re-released into the
    air and 2) They may be treated with chemicals themselves that can get into
    the air. If the concentration of synthetic fibers is high in air samples that
    indicates inadequate housekeeping and ventilation.

  • Fiberglass Fibers

    Fiberglass fibers are materials made from extremely fine fibers of glass.
    Fiberglass sources include ceiling tiles, textiles, debris from renovation
    projects, degradation of HVAC systems, ect. Detection of fiberglass is
    common in air samples. High concentrations of fiberglass in and indoor
    environment indicates poor filtration of the HVAC system and release of
    fiberglass from air ducts, ceiling tiles and wall insulation. Fiberglass can cause
    irritation of the skin, respiratory tract and the eyes. Fiberglass has been listed
    by the Occupational Safety and health Administration (OSHA) as a
    reasonably anticipated human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of
    carcinogenicity in experimental animals.

  • Opaque Particles

    The opaque particles contain a wide range of unrelated particles including
    soil, drywall dust, fire ash debris, pigment/drip pan debris, decayed and
    heated biogenic debris, fire smoke particles, soot from indoor fires, copier
    and printer toner, rubber tire particles and rust from HVAC drip pans. The
    detection of high concentrations of opaque particles is associated with poor
    filtration in the HVAC system and should be investigated as a potential
    contributor to air quality.
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Qualtest, Inc.