Generation of bioaerosols during manual mail unpacking and sorting

摘要

Aims:The dynamics of bioaerosol generation in specific occupational environments where mail is manually unpacked and sorted was investigated. Methods and Results:Total number of airborne particles was determined in four different size classes (0.3-0.5, 0.5-1, 1-5 and > 5 mu m) by laser particle counting. Time dependent formation of bioaerosols was monitored by culturing methods and by spec Conclusions:Indoor particle concentrations steadily increased during mail handling mostly associated with particles of diameters > 1 mu m. However, it was not possible to distinguish spiked letters from nonspiked by simple particle counting and CFU d Significance and Impact of Study:The dynamics of bioaerosol generation have to be addressed when monitoring specific occupational environments (such as mail sorting facilities) regarding the occurrence of biological particles.