Airborne Sub-micrometer Microbial Exposures

In this research work concentrations of airborne size specific (1, 1-1.8, <1.8 m) microbial contaminants (endotoxin, -glucan) were determined using cyclone samplers in two distinctly different environments: farms and homes. using inhalable samplers and vacuum cleaners airborne inhalable and dust contaminants from these homes were collected. this approach was used to compare pm1 microbial contaminants in a particular home with those in inhalable particles and in dust inside the same home. samples were analyzed with limulus amebocyte lysate assays for endotoxin and -glucan. airway inflammation was assessed in school-age children by measuring exhaled nitric oxide (eno) levels with non-invasive nitric oxide monitoring system (niox-flex). results indicate that pm1 endotoxin concentration may be a better predictor of airway inflammation than inhalable or larger particles exposures to high pm1 endotoxin may protect against airway inflammation in non-asthmatic school-age children. whether this protection is sustained, needs to be confirmed through follow-up studies.