Microbiology Of Aerosols

An introduction to the microbiology of bioaerosols and their impact on the world in which we live The microbiology of aerosols is an emerging field of research that lies at the interface of a variety of scientific and health-related disciplines. This eye-opening book synthesizes the current knowledge about microorganisms—bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses—that are aloft in the atmosphere. The book is written collaboratively by an interdisciplinary and international panel of experts and carefully edited to provide a high-level overview of the emerging field of aerobiology. Four sections within Microbiology of Aerosols present the classical and online methods used for sampling and characterizing airborne microorganisms, their emission sources and short- to long-distance dispersal, their influence on atmospheric processes and clouds, and their consequences for human health and agro-ecosystems. Practical considerations are also discussed, including sampling techniques, an overview of the quantification and characterization of bioaerosols, transport of bioaerosols, and a summary of ongoing research opportunities in the field. Comprehensive in scope, the book: Explores this new field that is applicable to many disparate disciplines Covers the emission of bioaerosols to their deposit, covering both quantitative and qualitative aspects Provides insights into social and environmental effects of the presence of bioaerosols in the atmosphere Details the impact of bioaerosols on human health, animal and plant health, and on physical and chemical atmospheric processes Written by authors internationally recognized for their work on biological aerosols and originating from a variety of scientific fields collaborated on, Microbiology of Aerosols is an excellent resource for researchers and graduate or PhD students interested in atmospheric sciences or microbiology.

A bioaerosol is a colloidal suspension of liquid droplets or solid particles in air whose components contain or have attached to them one or more microorganisms. Bioaerosols are an exciting and vital object of study because the attached microbes play a critical role in human, animal and environmental health. In an era of genetically engineered microorganisms and the application of biopesticides, bioaerosols are increasingly an environmental problem, both indoors and outdoors, and can affect entire ecosystems. Atmospheric Microbial Aerosols examines naturally occuring bioaerosols, as well as bioaerosols generated by human activity. Included in this volume is a complete array of topics concerned with outdoor microbial bioaerosols ranging from the physical and chemical to the meteorological and microbial. It will be of great interest as a starting point for researchers interested in outdoor microbial bioaerosols as well as for those interested in atmospheric dispersion models, new equipment, and government regulations.

Provides a background and explanation of the aerobiological pathway and of microbial survival and infectivity. Presents, clearly and simply, the most current information available, giving a clear picture of the aerobiological behavior of micro-organisms. Covers the physical and the biological aspects of aerosol behavior. Explains why microbial aerosols behave as they do rather than just stating the outcome of a situation. Covers viability and infectivity of micro-organisms, and provides a discussion of the role of temperature for aerosol survival and disease transmission by aerosols. Relates these to the biohazards to be found in public health, laboratories, agriculture, microbiology, genetic engineering, industry, environmental studies, and space exploration.

Aeromicrobiology provides a detailed and systematic analysis of the microbial communities and toxins collectively called bioaerosols that can be found in air. It provides information on the basics of Aeromicrobiology, the fate and transport of microorganisms in air, and the fundamental differences between intramural and extramural Aeromicrobiology. Leaning heavily on the current state of science, detailed information on the sampling and analysis of bioaerosol samples is provided. Subsequent chapters comprehensively discuss various airborne microbial groups and toxins, while the final chapter is dedicated to bioaerosol control strategies, biosafety, and biosecurity. There are limited resources on Aeromicrobiology. In rare instances where there are resources on Aeromicrobiology, they are often restricted to chapters in books or even supplementary materials. The emergence of new airborne pathogens, the aerosolization of microorganisms hitherto believed not to be airborne, and the proliferation of technologies for sampling, analysis, and control of bioaerosols makes it imperative for this title, which streamlines and succinctly presents the new body of knowledge in the field. Leans heavily on current state-of-the-art technologies used in sampling and analysis of bioaerosol samples such as metagenomics and sensor-based, hybrid technologies, among others Dedicates considerable attention to airborne and droplet-borne viruses, against the background of SARS-CoV-2 and related pathogens Comprehensively attends to regulatory aspects of bioaerosol control, highlighting various policies and regulations aimed at achieving biosecurity and curbing bioterrorism Helps researchers and policy makers in various fields who are often confronted with the need for basic information delivered in seamless style without loss of essential content

Written by an illustrious group of experts in microbiology and aerobiology, Bioaerosols brings together current information on the nature and health effects of bioaerosol-related problems. The book presents up-to-date coverage of methods for sampling and analysis, as well as various approaches to the investigation of health problems caused by exposure to biological contaminants in indoor air. Its comprehensive treatment of the various aspects of this subject makes it a valuable reference for industrial hygienists, public health officials and researchers, and physicians interested in environmentally caused disease.

This comprehensive handbook provides up-to-date knowledge and practical advice from established authorities in aerosol science. It covers the principles and practices of bioaerosol sampling, descriptions and comparisons of bioaerosol samplers, calibration methods, and assay techniques, with an emphasis on practicalities, such as which sampler to use and where it should be placed. The text also offers critiques concerning handling the samples to provide representative and meaningful assays for their viability, infectivity, and allergenicity. A wide range of microbes-viz., viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollens, and their fragments-are considered from such perspectives. Bioaerosols Handbook is divided into four parts, providing a wide-ranging reference work, as well as a practical guide on how best to sample and assay bioaerosols using current technology.