In Situ Characterization of Bioaerosols at the Single-Particle Level Using Single-Particle Mass Spectrometry: A Promising Tool for Defending Human Health against Bioaerosol Transmission

Bioaerosol transmission is one of the important transmissionpathwaysof COVID-19 and other infectious respiratory diseases caused by viralinfection. The ability to detect bioaerosols and characterize encapsulatedpathogens both in situ and in real time is crucialfor early warning and monitoring of the progress of an epidemic orpandemic. The lack of a powerful analytical tool for distinguishingbetween bioaerosols and nonbioaerosols as well as for identificationof pathogen species contained in the bioaerosols is the bottleneckin related fields. Herein, a promising solution for in situ and real-time accurate and sensitive detection of bioaeorosols isproposed by integrating single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry,matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry,and fluorescence spectroscopy. The proposed mass spectrometry aimsat detecting bioaerosols in a range of 0.5-10 & mu;m withadequate sensitivity and specificity. This single-particle bioaerosolmass spectrometry would not only be a powerful tool that can be usefulfor the authorities and public health monitoring but also would bean example of advances in mass spectrometry.