Total Organisms Per Liter of Air with Particle Size Distribution (TOLAp): New Unit of Measure for the Test and Evaluation of Biodetectors

Abstract

Detection of biological agents is a complex endeavor, which represents the intersection of the particular detection technology (e.g., PCR, light scatter, immunoassays), the nature of the biological agent (e.g., viral, bacterial, toxin), and the ambient environmental conditions. Therefore, testing and evaluation (T&E) of prototype biodetectors is complicated by the need to consider these variables and to carefully control testing conditions. These considerations can be further complicated depending on the question of application of the data, that is, whether one is conducting a straightforward T&E assessment of competing biodetection technologies to determine their relative capabilities, or using the data to assess health effects and guide subsequent operational decisions. Ideally, a standard unit of measure for a bioaerosol challenge should be applicable to point and standoff detectors and should be able to be translated into operational decisions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA530332

Entities

People

  • Andrew Mara
  • Ewelina Tunia
  • James J. Valdes
  • Raymond Mackay

Organizations

  • Edgewood Chemical Biological Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerosols
  • Biological Aerosols
  • Biological Factors
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Environment
  • Fungi
  • Joint Test And Evaluation
  • Materials
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Spores
  • Standards
  • Standoff
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Facilities
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Systems Analysis and Design