A comparative study of a standard slit-to-agar sampler and a real-time bacterial detector

A comparison is presented of data from simultaneous measurements of airborne particles by a standard slit-to-agar sampler (STA) and of fluorescent particles by a real-time bacterial detector, Bio Aerosol Monitoring System (BAMS) during an evaluation regarding emitted airborne particles of a surgical clothing system in a test chamber. Data from simultaneous orientating measurements of airborne particles by a standard discrete particle counter are also discussed. The results show that in an environment with a low level of airborne particles including CFUs and man the only contamination source, there is a moderate correlation between the number of aerobic CFU and BAMS viable, i.e., fluorescence, particles, when the slit-to-agar sampler is registering/collecting within its detection level. Different environments need simultaneous measurements by an STA in aerobic CFU/m³ and by a BAMS in viable particles/m³ to set up the correlation between the two methods. Keywords: Airborne particles, controlled environment, CFU, fluorescent particles, real-time measurements, viable particles.