Title :
A second-generation anthrax "smoke detector"
Author :
Lester, Elizabeth D. ; Bearman, Gregory ; Ponce, Adrian
Author_Institution :
Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasedena, CA, USA
Abstract :
We have demonstrated quantification of aerosolized bacterial spores with a response time of 10 minutes, a sensitivity of 50 spores per liter of air, and a dynamic range of 4 orders of magnitude using a bioaerosol sampler, thermal spore lysis, and a lifetime-gated fluorimeter. This technology is amenable to complete automation and enables long-term, unattended monitoring for airborne bacterial spores. The anthrax spore detector (ASD) technology is envisioned to serve as a front-end monitor that promises tremendous reduction in operating costs for anthrax monitoring at the U.S. Postal Service.
Keywords :
biohazards; fluorescence; microorganisms; molecular biophysics; terrorism; U.S. Postal Service; aerosolized bacterial spores; airborne bacterial spores; anthrax monitoring; anthrax spore detector; bioaerosol sampler; dynamic range; front-end monitor; lifetime-gated fluorimeter; response time; sensitivity; unattended monitoring; Automation; Computerized monitoring; Costs; Delay; Dynamic range; Fungi; Microorganisms; Postal services; Smoke detectors; Variable speed drives; Aerosols; Air Pollutants; Bacillus anthracis; Biosensing Techniques; Environmental Monitoring; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Security Measures; Spores, Bacterial;
Journal_Title :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MEMB.2004.1297184
