EVALUATION OF MICROBIOLOGICAL AEROSOL SAMPLERS - A REVIEW

This review on evaluation of samplers for microbiological aerosols cov ers the time span from 1883 to 1993. From the literature 94 articles w ere selected concerning 101 different samplers (including modification s). In 46 of the studies samplers were compared in natural environment s with the prevailing microbiological flora as a test aerosol. A gener ated test aerosol of microorganisms or non-viable particles was used i n 57 studies performed in laboratory test systems. Many of the sampler s for airborne microorganisms in use today have been evaluated with to day's knowledge of aerosol physics only to a limited degree. Several o f the tests still relied upon have been performed decades ago and very few samplers have been tested completely. To increase the scientific progress in the field of microbiological aerosol sampling and samplers , there is a need for standardised methods and recommended procedures.