Performance of the Button Personal Inhalable Sampler for the measurement of outdoor aeroallergens

No personal aerosol sampler has been evaluated for monitoring aeroallergens in outdoor field conditions and compared to conventional stationary aerobiological samplers. Recently developed Button Personal Inhalable Aerosol Sampler has demonstrated high sampling efficiency for non-biological particles and low sensitivity to the wind direction and velocity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Button Sampler for the measurement of outdoor pollen grains and fungal spores side-by-side with the widely used Rotorod Sampler. The sampling was performed for 8 months (spring, summer and fall) at a monitoring station on the roof of a two-storied office building located in the center of the city of Cincinnati. Two identical Button Samplers, one oriented towards the most prevalent wind and the other towards the opposite wind and a Rotorod Sampler were placed side-by-side. The total fungal spore concentration ranged from 129 to 12,980 spores m(-3) (number per cubic meter of air) and the total pollen concentration from 4 to 4536 pollen m(-3). The fungal spore concentrations obtained with the two Button Samplers correlated well (r = 0.95; p<0.0001). The pollen data also showed positive correlation. These findings strongly support the results of earlier studies conducted with non-biological aerosol particles, which demonstrated a low wind dependence of the performance of the Button Sampler compared to other samplers. The Button Sampler's inlet efficiency was found to be more dependent on wind direction when sampling larger sized Pinaceae pollen grains (aerodynamic diameter approximately 65 mum). Compared to Rotorod, both Button Samplers measured significantly higher total fungal spore concentrations. For total pollen count, the Button Sampler facing the prevalent wind showed concentrations levels comparable to that of the Rotorod, but the Button Sampler oriented opposite to the prevalent wind demonstrated lower concentration levels. Overall, it was concluded that the Button Sampler is efficient for the personal sampling of outdoor aeroallergens, and is especially beneficial for aeroallergens of small particle size.     

Culturability and concentration of indoor and outdoor airborne fungi in six single-family homes

In this study, the culturability of indoor and outdoor airborne fungi was determined through long-term sampling (24-h) using a Button Personal Inhalable Aerosol Sampler. The air samples were collected during three seasons in six Cincinnati area homes that were free from moisture damage or visible mold. Cultivation and total microscopic enumeration methods were employed for the sample analysis. The geometric means of indoor and outdoor culturable fungal concentrations were 88 and 102 colony-forming units (CFU) m(-3), respectively, with a geometric mean of the I/O ratio equal to 0.66. Overall, 26 genera of culturable fungi were recovered from the indoor and outdoor samples. For total fungal spores, the indoor and outdoor geometric means were 211 and 605 spores m(-3), respectively, with a geometric mean of I/O ratio equal to 0.32. The identification revealed 37 fungal genera from indoor and outdoor samples based on the total spore analysis. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of culturable and total fungal spores showed significant correlations (r = 0.655, p<0.0001 and r = 0.633, p<0.0001, respectively). The indoor and outdoor median viabilities of fungi were 55% and 25%, respectively, which indicates that indoor environment provides more favorable survival conditions for the aerosolized fungi. Among the seasons, the highest indoor and outdoor culturability of fungi was observed in the fall. Cladosporium had a highest median value of culturability (38% and 33% for indoor and outdoor, respectively) followed by Aspergillus/Penicillium (9% and 2%) among predominant genera of fungi. Increased culturability of fungi inside the homes may have important implications because of the potential increase in the release of allergens from viable spores and pathogenicity of viable fungi on immunocompromised individuals.     

空气微生物研究方法进展与展望

着重论述了空气微生物气溶胶的研究方法，主要有培养基法和非培养基法。培养基法是传统的微生物研究方法，需要花费大量的时间和劳动力，只能够检测活的能够在培养基上生长的微生物，可以大致反映空气中的微生物气溶胶。非培养基法，主要是PCR法，具有敏感性高、快速、特异性强等特点，能够检测出环境样品中绝大多数的微生物，是一种微生物气溶胶检测的有效途径。最后指出实时持续的监测是将来空气微生物研究的努力方向和发展趋势。     

空气微生物研究方法进展与展望

着重论述了空气微生物气溶胶的研究方法,主要有培养基法和非培养基法。培养基法是传统的微生物研究方法,需要花费大量的时间和劳动力,只能够检测活的能够在培养基上生长的微生物,可以大致反映空气中的微生物气溶胶。非培养基法,主要是PCR法,具有敏感性高、快速、特异性强等特点,能够检测出环境样品中绝大多数的微生物,是一种微生物气溶胶检测的有效途径。最后指出实时持续的监测是将来空气微生物研究的努力方向和发展趋势。     

Technique for Measuring Dust Collector Efficiency As a Function of Particle Size

With a specially designed generator, producing an aerosol of concentration, chemical composition, and size distribution similar to incinerator aerosols, a scrubber was tested in the laboratory by sampling before and after the collector. Using an Andersen Sampler as a 7 stage cascade impactor the efficiency for 7 different size classes was determined. This technique provides a rapid and simple method for evaluating the performance of a collector as a function of particle size. The multistage impaction classifies the particles according to their aerodynamic behavior. Gravimetric analysis of each stage eliminates the need for tedious counting and sizing.     

Characteristics of microbial aerosols released from chicken and swine feces

Bioaerosols generated during livestock and poultry production are significant occupational hazards. This study investigates the characteristics of bioaerosols released from animal feces. Fresh feces from pigs and chickens were obtained and tested in a controlled-environment facility. Airborne viable (culturable) bacteria and fungi were sampled hourly for 48 hr. The predominant species were identified via polymerase chain reaction analysis. The number of bacterial colonies released from chicken feces increased gradually, peaked at approximately 20 hr, and remained relatively constant to test end; however, the bacterial colonies released from swine feces did not increase significantly. The chicken feces released significantly (P < 0.05) more bacterial aerosols than swine feces over 40 hr, by approximately 1 order of magnitude. However, the difference in total fungal aerosols released from the two feces types was relatively small (30-40%) and insignificant (P > 0.05). Aerosols sized between approximately 0.65 and 1.1 microm were predominant for bacteria, whereas aerosols sized between approximately 2.1 and 3.3 microm prevailed for fungi. Genera Stenotrophomonas were the predominant bacterial aerosols, whereas Cladosporium and Acremonium accounted for the greatest amounts of fungi from chicken and swine feces, respectively. More than 1000 culturable bacterial colonies can be released from 1 g of chicken feces per hour, and approximately 80% of these bioaerosols are respirable. Most bacterial aerosols released from swine and chicken feces were opportunistic human pathogens; thus, the significance of their presence warrants further investigations.     

Alterations of microbial populations and composition in the rhizosphere and bulk soil as affected by residual acetochlor

Acetochlor is a widely used herbicide in maize fields; however, the ecological risk of its residue in the soil–plant system remains unknown. We investigated the dissipation dynamics of field dose acetochlor and clarified its impact on microbial biomass and community structure both in the rhizosphere and bulk soil over 1 month after its application. Soil microbial parameters such as quantities of culturable bacteria and fungi represented by colony-forming units, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMB_C), and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were determined across different sampling times. The results showed that the dissipation half-lives of acetochlor were, respectively, 2.8 and 3.4 days in the rhizosphere and bulk soil, and 0.02–0.07 μg/g residual acetochlor could be detected in the soil 40 days after its application. Compared to the bulk soil, microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil were inclined to be affected by the application of acetochlor: SMB_C content and bacterial growth were most likely to be increased; however, fungal growth was prone to be inhibited. The principal component analysis of PLFAs, as well as the comparisons of fungi/bacteria and cy17:0/C16:1ω9c ratios between different treatments over sampling time, revealed that the soil microbial community composition was significantly affected by acetochlor at its early application stage (at day 15); thereafter, the effects of acetochlor were attenuated or even could not be detected. Our results suggested that residual acetochlor did not confer a long-term impairment on viable bacterial groups in the rhizosphere and bulk soil.     

Assessment of microbial contamination within working environments of different types of composting plants

The objective of the study was to determine the degree of microbiological contamination, type of microflora, bioaerosol particle size distribution, and concentration of endotoxins in dust in different types of composting plants. In addition, this study provides a list of indicator microorganisms that pose a biological threat in composting facilities, based on their prevalence within the workplace, source of isolation, and health hazards. We undertook microbiological analysis of the air, work surfaces, and compost, and assessed the particle size distribution of bioaerosols using a six-stage Andersen sampler. Endotoxins were determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Microbial identification was undertaken both microscopically and using biochemical tests. The predominant bacterial and fungal species were identified using 16S rRNA and ITS1/2 analysis, respectively.?The number of mesophilic microorganisms in composting plants amounted to 6.9 × 10²–2.5 × 10⁴ CFU/m³ in the air, 2.9 × 10²–3.3 × 10³ CFU/100 cm² on surfaces, and 2.2 × 10⁵–2.4 × 10⁷ CFU/g in compost. Qualitative analysis revealed 75 microbial strains in composting plants, with filamentous fungi being the largest group of microorganisms, accounting for as many as 38 isolates. The total amount of endotoxins was 0.0062–0.0140 nmol/mg of dust. The dust fraction with aerodynamic particle diameter of 0.65–1.1 μm accounted for 28–39% of bacterial aerosols and 4–13% of fungal aerosols. We propose the following strains as indicators of harmful biological agent contamination: Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. herbarum, Mucor hiemalis, and Rhizopus oryzae for both types of composting plants, and Bacillus pumilus, Mucor fragilis, Penicillium svalbardense, and P. crustosum for green waste composting plants. The biological hazards posed within these plants are due to the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and the inhalation of respirable bioaerosol. Depending on the type of microorganism, these hazards may be aggravated or reduced after cleaning procedures.

Implications:?This study assessed the microbial contamination in two categories of composting plants: (1) facilities producing substrates for industrial cultivation of button mushrooms, and (2) facilities for processing biodegradable waste. Both workplaces showed potentially pathogenic microorganisms, respirable bioaerosol, and endotoxin. These results are useful to determine the procedures to control harmful biological agents, and to disinfect workplaces in composting plants.     

Isolation of culturable mycobiota from agricultural soils and determination of tolerance to glyphosate of nontoxigenic Aspergillus section Flavi strains

Glyphosate-based herbicides are extensively used in Argentina's agricultural system to control undesirable weeds. This study was conducted to evaluate the culturable mycobiota [colony forming units (CFU) g^?1 and frequency of fungal genera or species] from an agricultural field exposed to pesticides. In addition, we evaluated the tolerance of A. oryzae and nontoxigenic A. flavus strains to high concentrations (100 to 500 mM – 17,000 to 84,500 ppm) of a glyphosate commercial formulation. The analysis of the mycobiota showed that the frequency of the main fungal genera varied according to the analyzed sampling period. Aspergillus spp. or Aspergillus section Flavi strains were isolated from 20 to 100% of the soil samples. Sterilia spp. were also observed throughout the sampling (50 to 100%). Aspergillus section Flavi tolerance assays showed that all of the tested strains were able to develop at the highest glyphosate concentration tested regardless of the water availability conditions. In general, significant reductions in growth rates were observed with increasing concentrations of the herbicide. However, a complete inhibition of fungal growth was not observed with the concentrations assayed. This study contributes to the knowledge of culturable mycobiota from agricultural soils exposed to pesticides and provides evidence on the effective growth ability of A. oryzae and nontoxigenic A. flavus strains exposed to high glyphosate concentrations in vitro.     

Chemical and morphological characterization of aerosol particles at Mt. Krvavec, Slovenia, during the Eyjafjallajökull Icelandic volcanic eruption

Objective

In this work, continuous and size-segregated aerosol measurements at Mt. Krvavec, Slovenia, during the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption were performed. Based on chemical and morphological characteristics of size-segregated particles, the presence of the volcanic aerosols after long-range transport to Slovenia was to be confirmed.

Results and conclusions

Continuous measurements with the aethalometer and SMPS indicated the suspected volcanic ash plume passing over the sampling site. The aerosols collected by discrete sampling showed a chemical signature similar to the known elemental signature of the Icelandic volcanic ash. Coarse particles showed a composition typical for silicates rich in metals; in many cases also S was present. Morphological analysis showed particles with features indicative of an explosive volcanic eruption, e.g., pumice and pumice shards, glass shards, minerals, evidence of steam condensation, etc. The high sulfate concentration associated with the fine particles resulted in sulfate crystallization within the cascade impactor leading to the formation of large structures resembling a “fern”. Mass size distributions for Fe, Ti, Mn, Ca, Na, and Mg showed one primary peak (for Fe, Mn, and Ti at 2.8 μm; for Ca, Na, and Mg at ca. 4 μm), which supports the fact that most of the particles in the coarse sizes were silicates rich in metals. The size distribution of the water-soluble SO ₄ ^2? showed a maximum peak at 0.75 μm, which also confirms the high sulfate concentration in the fine particles. Chemical and morphological characterization of aerosols collected at Mt. Krvavec indeed confirmed that volcanic ash plume passed over Slovenia.     

The Recovery of Selenious Acid Aerosols on Glass Fiber Filters

Previous workers have shown that selenium is only partially trapped on a filter during air sampling. In some cases, these losses have been attributed to volatilization of selenium dioxide. Our results demonstrate that selenium dioxide, In the presence of moist air, is completely recovered (apparently as selenious acid aerosols) and that the previous shortfalls must be due to other selenium species as yet unidentified. Selenious acid aerosols In our study were formed by volatilizing selenium dioxide (≈3 mg) Into a stream of moist ambient air (relative humidity, >50%), and trapped on glass fiber filters using a high-volume air sampler. Selenium(IV) was ultrasonlcally extracted from the filter with water and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Selenious acid aerosols were trapped on the filters with high efficiency (105 ± 5 percent) using a 50 minute sampling period. With an extended sampling period (24 hours) the recovery was 103 ± 6 percent.     

Workplace exposure to bioaerosols in pet shops, pet clinics, and flower gardens

The present study evaluated exposure to bioaerosols at three different types of facilities (pet shops, pet clinics, and flower gardens) by measuring the bacterial, fungal and/or PM(10) concentrations in indoor and outdoor air. Regardless of the season, the total bacteria and total fungi were detected for all samples, whereas the fungal genera were not. The bioaerosol concentrations measured in the flower gardens were significantly higher than those of the pet shops and pet clinics. The mean microbial concentrations at the three types of facilities were close to or exceeded the Korean indoor bioaerosol guidelines (800 CFU m(-3)), thus suggesting the need for remedial action regarding indoor microorganisms, in order to reduce the exposure at the surveyed facilities. Another suggestion was that contrary to the airborne microbes, flower gardens are not an important microenvironment for PM(10) (particulate matter 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter) exposure. Two temporal characteristics (seasonal variation and the summer survey period) were important regarding exposure to airborne microbes, depending upon the type of facility surveyed, microbial or sample types, whereas the sampling time of the day was not. The microbial concentration ratio of indoor air to outdoor air depended upon the facility and season.     

Indoor and outdoor bioaerosol levels at recreation facilities, elementary schools, and homes

One major deficiency in linking environmental exposure to health effects is the current lack of data on environmental exposure. Therefore, to address this issue, the present study measured the bacterial and fungal concentrations in the indoor and outdoor air from two types of recreation facility (42 bars and 41 Internet cafes), 44 classrooms at 11 elementary schools, and 20 homes under uncontrolled environmental conditions during both summer and winter. No major environmental problems were reported at the four microenvironments being investigated during the entire study period. Bacteria and fungi were found in all the air samples, and the environmental occurrence of individual fungi was in the order of Cladosprium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. The six parameters surveyed in the present study were all found to influence the indoor and outdoor bioaerosol levels: microenvironment type, sampling time in elementary school classrooms, agar type for measuring the fungal species, seasonal variation, facility location, and summer survey periods. The indoor and outdoor air concentrations of bacteria and fungi found in this study were comparable to those in other reports, with GM values for the total bacteria and total fungi between 10 and 10³ colony-forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU m⁻³). The fungal concentrations found at most of the indoor environments fell within the specified guidelines of the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), between 100 and 1000 CFU m⁻³ for the total fungi. However, the indoor bioaerosol concentrations at most of the surveyed environments exceeded the Korean indoor bioaerosol guideline (800 CFU m⁻³). Consequently, the current findings suggest the need for reducing strategy for indoor microorganisms at the surveyed microenvironments.     

Preparation of petroleum-degrading bacterial agent and its application in remediation of contaminated soil in Shengli Oil Field,China

Two petroleum-degrading strains were screened from oil fields and denoted as SWH-1 (Bacillus subtilis) and SWH-2 (Sphingobacterium multivorum), which were used to ferment and prepare bacterial agent to remediate petroleum-contaminated sites in Shengli Oil Field in China. The optimal liquid fermentation medium and conditions were MgSO₄·7H₂O (0.5 %), NaCl (0.5 %), soybean dregs (3 %), pH 7.0, culturing at 30 °C, and 220 r/min for 16 h. Peat was chosen as the bacterial carrier due to its ability of keeping microbial activity. Mixed fermented liquid was added into peat (1:2) and air-dried, and the bacterial agent was obtained. It was applied to the petroleum-contaminated soil, which was irrigated, tilled, and fertilized. The removal rate reached 67.7 % after 2 months of remediation. During remediation, the quantity of indigenous bacteria varied a lot, while the inoculated bacteria remained stable; the dehydrogenase activity was at high levels and then decreased. Indigenous microorganisms, inoculated bacterial agent, nutrients, water, and soil permeability all played important roles. The study prepared an environment-friendly bacterial agent and established a set of bioremediation technique, which provided further insights into integration of fermentation engineering and soil remediation engineering.     

Seasonal and diurnal variability in airborne mold from an indoor residential environment in northern New York

It is well known that characterization of airborne bioaerosols in indoor environments is a challenge because of inherent irregularity in concentrations, which are influenced by many environmental factors. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the day-to-day variability of airborne fungal levels in a single residential environment over multiple seasons. Indoor air quality practitioners must recognize the inherent variability in airborne bio-aerosol measurements during data analysis of mold investigations. Changes in airborne fungi due to varying season and day is important to recognize when considering health impacts of these contaminants and when establishing effective controls. Using an Andersen N6 impactor, indoor and outdoor bioaerosol samples were collected on malt extract agar plates for 18 weekdays and 19 weekdays in winter and summer, respectively. Interday and intraday variability for the bioaerosols were determined for each sampler. Average fungal concentrations were 26 times higher during the summer months. Day-to-day fungal samples showed a relatively high inconsistency suggesting airborne fungal levels are very episodic and are influenced by several environmental factors. Summer bio-aerosol variability ranged from 7 to 36% and winter variability from 24 to 212%; these should be incorporated into results of indoor mold investigations. The second objective was to observe the relationship between biological and nonbiological particulate matter (PM). No correlation was observed between biological and nonbiological PM. Six side-by-side particulate samplers collected coarse PM (PM10) and fine PM (PM2.5) levels in both seasons. PM2.5 particulate concentrations were found to be statistically higher during summer months. Interday variability observed during this study suggests that indoor air quality practitioners must adjust their exposure assessment strategies to reflect the temporal variability in bioaerosol concentrations.     

Calibration of sharp cut impactors for indoor and outdoor particle sampling

A low-flow rate, sharp cut point inertial impaction sampler was developed in 1986 that has been widely used in PM exposure studies in the United States and several other countries. Although sold commercially as the MS&T Area Sampler, this sampler is widely referred to as the Harvard Impactor, since the initial use was at the Harvard School of Public Health. Impactor nozzles for this sampler have been designed and characterized for flows of 4, 10, 20, and 23 L/min and cut points of 1, 2, 5, and 10 microns. An improved method for determining the actual collecting efficiency curve was developed and used for the recent impactor calibrations reported here. It consists of placing a multiplet reduction impactor inline just downstream of the vibrating orifice aerosol generator to remove the multiplets, thus allowing only the singlet particle s to penetrate through to the impactor being calibrated This paper documents the techniques and results of recent nozzle calibrations for this sampler and compares it with other size-selective inertial impactors. In general, the impactors were found to have sharp cutoff characteristics. Particle interstage losses for all of the impactors were very low, with the exception of the 10-micron cut size 20 L/min impactor, which had greater losses due to the higher flow rate. All of the 2.5-micron cut nozzle laboratory calibrations compare favorably to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WINS-96 fine particle mass (PM2.5) impactor calibration data.     

Effect of gaseous chlorine dioxide on indoor microbial contaminants

Traditional and modern techniques for bioaerosol enumeration were used to evaluate the relative efficiency of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in reducing the indoor microbial contamination under field and laboratory conditions. The field study was performed in a highly microbially contaminated house, which had had an undetected roof leak for an extended period of time and exhibited large areas of visible microbial growth. Air concentrations of culturable fungi and bacteria, total fungi determined by microscopic count and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, endotoxin, and (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan were determined before and after the house was tented and treated with ClO2. The laboratory study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of ClO2 treatment against known concentrations of spores of Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys chartarum on filter paper (surrogate for surface treatment). These species are commonly found in damp indoor environments and were detected in the field study. Upon analysis of the environmental data from the treated house, it was found that the culturable bacteria and fungi as well as total count of fungi (as determined by microscopic count and PCR) were decreased at least 85% after the ClO2 application. However, microscopic analyses of tape samples collected from surfaces after treatment showed that the fungal structures were still present on surfaces. There was no statistically significant change in airborne endotoxin and (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan concentration in the field study. The laboratory study supported these results and showed a nonsignificant increase in the concentration of (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan after ClO2 treatment.     

Concentrations and diversity of microbes from four local bioaerosol emission sources in Finland

Microbial particles can readily be released into the air from different types of man-made sources such as waste operations. Microbiological emissions from different biological sources and their dispersion may be an issue of concern for area planning and for nearby residents. This study was designed to determine the concentrations and diversity of microbiological emissions from four different man-made source environments: waste center with composting windrows, sewage treatment plant, farming environment, and cattle manure spreading. Samples of airborne particles were collected onto polyvinyl chloride filters at three distances along the prevailing downwind direction, from each source environment during a period of approximately 1 week. These samples were analyzed for 13 species or assay groups of fungi, bacterial genus Streptomyces, and Gram-positive and -negative bacteria using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Samples for determining the concentrations of viable fungi and bacteria were collected from all environments using a six-stage impactor. The results show that there were variations in the microbial diversity between the source environments. Specifically, composting was a major source for the fungal genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, particularly for Aspergillus fumigatus, and for the bacterial genus Streptomyces. Although the microbial concentrations in the sewage treatment plant area were significantly higher than those at 50 or 200 m distance from the plant area, in the farming environment or cattle manure spreading area, no significant difference was observed between different distances from the source. In summary, elevated concentrations of microbes that differ from background can only be detected within a few hundred meters from the source. This finding, reported earlier for culturable bacteria and fungi, could thus be confirmed using molecular methods that cover both culturable and nonculturable microbial material.     

Development and Evaluation of an Impactor for a PM2.5 Speciation Sampler

ABSTRACT

A conventional impactor for a particle speciation sampler was developed and validated through laboratory and field tests. The speciation sampler consists of the following components: a PM_2.5 conventional impactor that removes particles larger than 2.5 μm, an all-glass, coated honeycomb diffusion denuder, and a 47-mm filter pack. The speciation sampler can operate at two different sampling rates: 10 and 16.7 L/min. An experimental characterization of the impactor’s performance was conducted. The impactor’s collection efficiency was examined as a function of critical design parameters such as Reynolds number, the distance from the nozzle exit to the impac-tion plate, and the impaction substrate coating method. The bounce of particles larger than the cut point was successfully minimized by using a greased surface as the im-paction substrate. Additionally, a series of field intercomparison experiments were conducted at both 10 and 16.7 L/min airflow. PM_2.5 mass and SO₄ ^2- concentrations were measured and compared with the Federal Reference Method (FRM) and found to be in good agreement. Results of the laboratory chamber tests also indicated that the impactor’s performance was in good agreement with the FRM.     

A wind tunnel test of newly developed personal bioaerosol samplers

In this study the performance of two newly developed personal bioaerosol samplers was evaluated. The two test samplers are cyclone-based personal samplers that incorporate a recirculating liquid film. The performance evaluations focused on the physical efficiencies that a personal bioaerosol sampler could provide, including aspiration, collection, and capture efficiencies. The evaluation tests were carried out in a wind tunnel, and the test personal samplers were mounted on the chest of a full-size manikin placed in the test chamber of the wind tunnel. Monodisperse fluorescent aerosols ranging from 0.5 to 20 microm were used to challenge the samplers. Two wind speeds of 0.5 and 2.0 m/sec were employed as the test wind speeds in this study. The test results indicated that the aspiration efficiency of the two test samplers closely agreed with the ACGIH inhalable convention within the size range of the test aerosols. The aspiration efficiency was found to be independent of the sampling orientation. The collection efficiency acquired from these two samplers showed that the 50% cutoff diameters were both around 0.6 microm. However the wall loss of these two test samplers increased as the aerosol size increased, and the wall loss of PAS-4 was considerably higher than that of PAS-5, especially in the aerosol size larger than 5 microm, which resulted in PAS-4 having a relatively lower capture efficiency than PAS-5. Overall, the PAS-5 is considered a better personal bioaerosol sampler than the PAS-4.