Performance of electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) for endotoxin assessment in homes: Effect of mailing, placement, heating, and electrostatic charge

Brita Kilburg-Basnyat; Nervana Metwali; Peter S Thorne

doi:10.1080/15459624.2015.1078468

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Performance of electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) for endotoxin assessment in homes: Effect of mailing, placement, heating, and electrostatic charge

Journal article

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Performance of electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) for endotoxin assessment in homes: Effect of mailing, placement, heating, and electrostatic charge

Brita Kilburg-Basnyat, Nervana Metwali and Peter S Thorne

Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene, Vol.13(2), pp.85-93

02/01/2016

DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2015.1078468

PMCID: PMC4766868

PMID: 26325020

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Abstract

Electrostatic Dust Collectors (EDCs) are in use for passive sampling of bioaerosols, but particular aspects of their performance have not yet been evaluated. This study investigated the effect of mailing EDCs on endotoxin loading and the effect of EDC deployment in front of, and away from, heated ventilation on endotoxin sampling. Endotoxin sampling efficiency of heated and unheated EDC cloths was also evaluated. Cross-country express mailing of dust-spiked EDCs yielded no significant changes in endotoxin concentrations compared to dust-only samples for both high-spiked EDCs (p = 0.30) and low-spiked EDCs (p = 0.36). EDCs were also deployed in 20 identical apartments with one EDC placed in front of the univent heater in each apartment and contemporaneous EDC placed on the built-in bookshelf in each apartment. The endotoxin concentrations were significantly different (p = 0.049) indicating that the placement of EDC does impact endotoxin sampling. Heated and unheated EDCs were deployed for 7 days in pairs in farm homes. There was a significant difference between endotoxin concentrations (p = 0.027) indicating that heating EDCs may diminish their electrostatic capabilities and impact endotoxin sampling. The last study investigated the electrostatic charge of 12 heated and 12 unheated EDC cloths. There was a significant difference in charge (p = 0.009) which suggests that heating EDC cloths may make them less effective for sampling. In conclusion, EDCs can be mailed to and from deployment sites, EDC placement in relationship to ventilation is crucial, and heating EDCs reduces their electrostatic charge which may diminish their endotoxin sampling capabilities.

house dust

passive sampling

exposure assessment

Endotoxin

Details

Title: Subtitle: Performance of electrostatic dust collectors (EDCs) for endotoxin assessment in homes: Effect of mailing, placement, heating, and electrostatic charge
Creators: Brita Kilburg-Basnyat - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa
Nervana Metwali - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa
Peter S Thorne - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene, Vol.13(2), pp.85-93
DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2015.1078468
PMID: 26325020
PMCID: PMC4766868
NLM abbreviation: J Occup Environ Hyg
ISSN: 1545-9624
eISSN: 1545-9632
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Language: English
Date published: 02/01/2016
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
Record Identifier: 9983997321702771

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