Define a bioaerosol, and name two sampling methods used to quantify bioaerosols in occupational settings.

• A. Non-biological particulates.
• B. Airborne biological particles such as bacteria and fungi; sampling methods include the Anderson impactor and SKC biosampler.
• C. Gas-phase chemical vapors.
• D. Ultraviolet light exposure.

Answer: (B)

Bioaerosols are airborne particles of biological origin, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, spores, and pollen, which can be living or dead. In workplaces, quantifying these particles helps assess exposure and potential health risks.

A common solid-collection approach is the Anderson impactor, a multi-stage device that pulls air through several stages. Particles are separated by size and impacted onto an agar plate at each stage. After exposure and incubation, colonies on the plates indicate viable organisms and allow estimation of their concentration in the air.

A widely used liquid-collection method is the SKC biosampler, a liquid impinger that collects airborne microorganisms into a sterile liquid as air passes through. The collected liquid can then be cultured or analyzed by molecular methods, providing a measure of viable bioaerosols and enabling downstream analyses.

Other options described as non-biological particulates, gas-phase chemical vapors, or ultraviolet exposure do not quantify bioaerosols, since they do not represent airborne biological particles or their collection.