Detecting infectious aerosols is central for gauging and countering airborne threats. In this regard, the Coriolis® µ cyclonic air sampler is a practical, commercial collector that can be used with various analysis methods to monitor pathogens in air. However, information on how to operate this unit under optimal sampling and biosafety conditions is limited. We investigated Coriolis performance in aerosol dispersal experiments with polystyrene microspheres and Bacillus globigii spores. We report inconsistent sample recovery from the collector cone due to loss of material when sampling continuously for more than 30 min. Introducing a new collector cone every 10 min improved this shortcoming. Moreover, we found that several surfaces on the device become contaminated during sampling. Adapting a high efficiency particulate air-filter system to the Coriolis prevented contamination without altering collection efficiency or tactical deployment. A Coriolis modified with these operative and technical improvements was used to collect aerosols carrying microspheres released inside a Biosafety Level-3 laboratory during simulations of microbiological spills and aerosol dispersals. In summary, we provide operative and technical solutions to the Coriolis that optimize microbiological air sampling and improve biosafety.
23Detecting infectious aerosols is central for gauging and countering airborne threats. In 24 this regard the Coriolis ® µ cyclonic air sampler is a practical, commercial collector that can be 25 used with various analysis methods to monitor pathogens in air. However, information on how 26 to operate this unit under optimal sampling and biosafety conditions is limited. We investigated 27 Coriolis performance in aerosol dispersal experiments with polystyrene microspheres and 28 Bacillus globigii spores. We report inconsistent sample recovery from the collector cone due 29 to loss of material when sampling continuously for more than 30 min. Introducing a new 30 collector cone every 10 min improved this shortcoming. Moreover, we found that several 31 surfaces on the device become contaminated during sampling. Adapting a HEPA-filter system 32 to the Coriolis prevented contamination without altering collection efficiency or tactical 33 deployment. A Coriolis modified with these operative and technical improvements was used 34 to collect aerosols carrying microspheres released inside a Biosafety Level-3 laboratory during 35 simulations of microbiological spills and aerosol dispersals. In summary, we provide operative 36 and technical solutions to the Coriolis that optimize microbiological air sampling and improve 37 biosafety. 38 39 Abstract word count: 180 40 41 42
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