Comparative study of sampling methods for measuring exposure to bioaerosols constituted by stress-sensitive biological agents

Unlike sporulating microorganisms (fungi, actinomycetes), more fragile microorganisms (bacteria) cannot be sampled by filtration because they are sensitive to the stress of the sampling. The objectives of the study are to choose, to assess, and to compare sampling methods suitable for collecting sensitive microorganisms. The end purpose is to propose a biocollector that will supplement or replace the measurements taken by closed-face cassettes for determining worker exposure to bioaerosols. Firstly, laboratory tests will be conducted and will aim to assess the performance levels and the limits of several biocollectors that have promising characteristics (collection in liquid form or on a gelatin filter). The methodology will be based on two existing test benches, on production of experimental bioaerosols, and on the multi-disciplinary skills available in the team in terms of physically and microbiologically characterising airborne microbial agents. This study will be supplemented by field comparison tests in working atmospheres containing majorities of sensitive microorganisms (wastewater treatment, agri-food, maintenance, or the tertiary sector, for example).

The knowledge acquired will be disseminated through presentations at conferences, through an international publication and a publication in the journal Hygiène et Sécurité du Travail, and will also be disseminated at INRS training sessions.

As regards prevention, it will be possible ultimately for the sampling method, as validated for one or more analyses, to be "exported" to other industrial hygiene laboratories (in particular Carsat (Occupational Health and Pension Insurance Fund) laboratories). The sampling method will also be used to characterize working atmospheres and workers’ exposure.