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A Framework for Assessing the Health Hazard Posed by Bioaerosols (2008) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
Pages 9-14

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From page 9...
... Candidate detectors are subjected to biological aerosol test samples and their responses are evaluated to identify those that meet currently established requirements, such as minimum detectable concentration thresholds. The committee was asked to evaluate agent-containing particles per liter of air (ACPLA)
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From page 10...
... If one unit of measurement is not obtainable, the DOD seeks to establish a relationship for comparison of different units.2 1.2 DETERMINING A STANDARD UNIT OF MEASURE The charge was to determine whether it is possible to develop a single unit of measure for airborne biological agents that may include bacterial vegetative cells, bacterial spores, virions, and biological toxins. The ultimate purpose of this unit of measure is to aid in the evaluation of sensors that are designed to warn and provide a measure of protection against the risk of exposure.
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From page 11...
... It is necessary to develop a unit that can be implemented with current capabilities, but that will be robust enough to accommodate improvements in instrumentation and changes in the understanding of BWA aerosols. 1.2.1 Biological Warfare Agents This study seeks to address appropriate detector measures for traditional biological warfare agents (BWAs)
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From page 12...
... The goal of this report is to address one small part of this picture by exploring the possibility of a standard unit of measure for accurate performance comparison of bioaerosol detection systems. The report argues that an ideal unit of measure would also set the foundation for using detection systems to measure health risk and facilitate informed judgments.
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From page 13...
... Ideally, bioaerosol detection systems provide information that explicitly links environmental measurements to potential health hazards in time, space, and disease potential for a specific population. As is argued in the coming chapters, there is only one relevant shared element in the various BWAs: all have a measurable effect on human health.
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From page 14...
... 14 • allows comparisons across a variety of detectors and agents; • links health hazard to environmental measurement; • can be implemented with current technology, although worst-case assumptions will have to be employed for some parameters that cannot currently be measured or estimated; • supports and helps direct innovations in technology; and • anticipates emerging scientific discoveries.
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Key Terms

  • biological agents
  • health risk
  • warfare agents
  • biological toxins
  • health hazard

  • standard unit
  • host response
  • biological aerosol
  • biological aerosols
  • biological material

  • potential health
  • warfare agent
  • bwa aerosols
  • agent type
  • aerosol detectors

  • exposed populations
  • unit volume
  • bioaerosol detection
  • forming units
  • protective equipment

  • vegetative cells
  • particle size
  • hazard posed
  • dod joint
  • biological defense

  • biological agent
  • versus biological
  • including biological
  • candidate biological
  • unsuccessful biological


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