Particle and microbial airborne dispersion from people

Whyte, W. and Hejab, M. (2007) Particle and microbial airborne dispersion from people. European Journal of Parenteral and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12(2), pp. 39-46.

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Abstract

The airborne dispersion of particles from 55 people (30 females and 25 males) was measured. The dispersion per minute of microbe carrying particles (MCPs) averaged 2,400 when wearing personal indoor clothing, and 177 when wearing cleanroom garments. One exceptional person, whose dispersal rates were not included in these results, dispersed 11,000 per minute when wearing cleanroom garments. The dispersion rate of particles ≥5μm per minute averaged 332,000 when wearing indoor clothing, and 37,300 when wearing cleanroom garments. The dispersion rate of particles ≥0.5μm per minute averaged 2,130,000 when wearing indoor clothing, and 1,020,000 when wearing cleanroom garments. The dispersion rates for particles and MCPs were higher in males than females. Depending on the method used, the average equivalent particle diameter of the MCPs was 9μm or 18μm. There was no situation where the dispersion of MCPs was not accompanied by substantial numbers of both ≥0.5μm and ≥5.0μm airborne particles, and there appears to be little advantage in measuring particles ≥5.0μm when using airborne particle counting to indirectly monitor the dispersion of MCPs. When wearing cleanroom garments, the ratio of ≥0.5μm particles to MCPs was found to average 5,800:1, and for ≥5.0μm particles it was 210:1.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Whyte, Dr William
Authors: Whyte, W., and Hejab, M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
Journal Name:European Journal of Parenteral and Pharmaceutical Sciences
ISSN:0964-4679
ISSN (Online):1740-6277
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2007 The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sciences Society
First Published:First published in European Journal of Parenteral and Pharmaceutical Sciences 12(2):39-46
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the permission of the publisher.
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