CONTEXT: Bioterrorist attacks involving letters and mail-handling systems in Washington, DC, resulted in Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spore contamination in the Hart Senate Office Building and other facilities in the US Capitol's vicinity. OBJECTIVE: To provide information about the nature and extent of indoor secondary aerosolization of B anthracis spores. DESIGN: Stationary and personal air samples, surface dust, and swab samples were collected under semiquiescent (minimal activities) and then simulated active office conditions to estimate secondary aerosolization of B anthracis spores. Nominal size characteristics, airborne concentrations, and surface contamination of B anthracis particles (colony-forming units) were evaluated. RESULTS: Viable B anthracis spores reaerosolized under semiquiescent conditions, with a marked increase in reaerosolization during simulated active office conditions. Increases were observed for B anthracis collected on open sheep blood agar plates (P<.001) and personal air monitors (P =.01) during active office conditions. More than 80% of the B anthracis particles collected on stationary monitors were within an alveolar respirable size range of 0.95 to 3.5 micro m. CONCLUSIONS: Bacillus anthracis spores used in a recent terrorist incident reaerosolized under common office activities. These findings have important implications for appropriate respiratory protection, remediation, and reoccupancy of contaminated office environments.
CONTEXT: Bioterrorist attacks involving letters and mail-handling systems in Washington, DC, resulted in Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) spore contamination in the Hart Senate Office Building and other facilities in the US Capitol's vicinity. OBJECTIVE: To provide information about the nature and extent of indoor secondary aerosolization of B anthracis spores. DESIGN: Stationary and personal air samples, surface dust, and swab samples were collected under semiquiescent (minimal activities) and then simulated active office conditions to estimate secondary aerosolization of B anthracis spores. Nominal size characteristics, airborne concentrations, and surface contamination of B anthracis particles (colony-forming units) were evaluated. RESULTS: Viable B anthracis spores reaerosolized under semiquiescent conditions, with a marked increase in reaerosolization during simulated active office conditions. Increases were observed for B anthracis collected on open sheep blood agar plates (P<.001) and personal air monitors (P =.01) during active office conditions. More than 80% of the B anthracis particles collected on stationary monitors were within an alveolar respirable size range of 0.95 to 3.5 micro m. CONCLUSIONS:Bacillus anthracis spores used in a recent terrorist incident reaerosolized under common office activities. These findings have important implications for appropriate respiratory protection, remediation, and reoccupancy of contaminated office environments.
Authors: Shawn P Ryan; Sang Don Lee; M Worth Calfee; Joseph P Wood; Stella McDonald; Matt Clayton; Nicole Griffin-Gatchalian; Abderrahmane Touati; Luther Smith; Melissa Nysewander Journal: World J Microbiol Biotechnol Date: 2014-06-14 Impact factor: 3.312
Authors: Mark P Buttner; Patricia Cruz; Linda D Stetzenbach; Amy K Klima-Comba; Vanessa L Stevens; Peter A Emanuel Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2004-12 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: R E Biagini; D L Sammons; J P Smith; E H Page; J E Snawder; C A F Striley; B A MacKenzie Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Mark P Buttner; Patricia Cruz; Linda D Stetzenbach; Amy K Klima-Comba; Vanessa L Stevens; Tracy D Cronin Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Scott T Moen; Linsey A Yeager; William S Lawrence; Cindy Ponce; Cristi L Galindo; Harold R Garner; Wallace B Baze; Giovanni Suarez; Johnny W Peterson; Ashok K Chopra Journal: Microb Pathog Date: 2007-10-23 Impact factor: 3.738