Characteristics and Sampling Efficiencies of Two Impactor Bioaerosol Samplers: MAS-100(Registered) (Microbial Air Monitoring System) and Single-Stage Andersen Viable Microbial Samplers
Abstract
Sampler characteristics and efficiencies of two impactor type biological air samplers were determined. Both impactors are based on the principle of air accelerating through an entry plate with critically sized orifices and inertially impacting onto a surface below. A petri dish with agar is used as the impaction surface for these samplers. The MAS-l00 is a single-stage impactor that aspirates air through a 400-hole perforated entry plate onto an agar plate at an airflow rate of 100 L/min. The single-stage Andersen impactor aspirates air through a 400-hole perforated entry plate onto an agar plate at an airflow rate of 28.3 L/min (1 cfm). The sampling efficiency tests were conducted using polystyrene latex microspheres and sodium fluorescein tagged oleic acid particles. The analysis was by fluorometry. The MAS-100 can be powered using its internal rechargeable battery or 36 Watt AC power. The Andersen impactor power requirement depends on the vacuum pump that draws air through the unit. The sampling efficiency results showed that the MAS-100 has a peak of 68.4% + or - 2.5 for 4-micrometer particles, and the single-stage Andersen has a peak of 88.5% + or - 12.3 for 4-micrometer particles, compared to reference filter samples.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA429203
Entities
People
- Jana S. Kesavan
- K. A. Hottell
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center