THE EFFECT OF AIR HUMIDITY ON THE VIABILITY OF MICROORGANISMS IN AN AEROSOL
Abstract
A bacterial drop phase aerosol was produced in an experimental chamber with a 250 liter capacity. Staph. albus and Sarcina lutea, isolated from the air of a room, and Bact. coli and Bact. prodigiosum, isolated from water, were used as experimental models. The microorganisms Staph. albus and Sarcina lutea, which have adapted to the con ditions of an air medium, are well preserved in a relative air humidity from 12 to 98% with small fluctuations of temperature within the limits of 18,5 to 21 degrees. These microorganisms are stable in the drop phase of a bacterial aerosol and are removed mainly due to sedimentation. The microorganisms Bact. coli and Bact. prodigiosum, which are isolated from water and which are not adapted to the conditions of an air medium are considerably less stable in an aerosol. They decay extremely rapidly in a relative air humidity lower than 50%, whereas at a higher humidity they preserve their viability very well. A relative air humidity higher than 70% is most favorable for the survival of Bact. coli and Bact. prodigiosum in a bacterial drop phase aerosol in a temperature between 18.5 and 21 degrees.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0428664
Entities
People
- Charles T. Ostertag Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories