Bacteriophage aerosol challenge of installed air contamination control systems.

The effectiveness of installed air contamination control systems for removal of airborne microorganisms was determined. Seven separate systems were challenged with aerosolized T1 bacteriophage. Air samples were collected with Andersen samplers containing agar plates that had been swabbed with susceptible Escherichia coli. The advantages of using bacteriophage for testing air-handling systems are discussed. The air systems employed both filtration and ultraviolet irradiation and air-flow rates varied from 600 to 18,000 ft/min. Reduction rates of airborne bacteriophage passing through the various air systems ranged from 99.8 to 99.99%.