Chamber bioaerosol study: human emissions of size-resolved fluorescent biological aerosol particles.

Humans are a prominent source of airborne biological particles in occupied indoor spaces, but few studies have quantified human bioaerosol emissions. The chamber investigation reported here employs a fluorescence-based technique to evaluate bioaerosols with high temporal and particle size resolution. In a 75-m(3) chamber, occupant emission rates of coarse (2.5-10 µm) fluorescent biological aerosol particles (FBAPs) under seated, simulated office-work conditions averaged 0.9 ± 0.3 million particles per person-h. Walking was associated with a 5-6× increase in the emission rate. During both walking and sitting, 60-70% or more of emissions originated from the floor. The increase in emissions during walking (vs. while sitting) was mainly attributable to release of particles from the floor; the associated increased vigor of upper body movements also contributed. Clothing, or its frictional interaction with human skin, was demonstrated to be a source of coarse particles, and especially of the highly fluorescent fraction. Emission rates of FBAPs previously reported for lecture classes were well bounded by the experimental results obtained in this chamber study. In both settings, the size distribution of occupant FBAP emissions had a dominant mode in the 3-5 µm diameter range.

Central axis depth dose for a 2.5 MV Van de Graaff generator.

Central axis percentage depth dose values and isodose curves for the bremsstrahlung beam from a 2.5 MV Van de Graaff generator were measured with a water phantom at 100 cm target-to-surface distance. Tissue-air ratios were calculated from the central axis depth dose data. Use of the 2.5 MV percentage depth dose values are necessary for treatment planning since they are substantially larger than the values given in compilations for 2.0 MV beams.