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Particulate and Bioaerosols in Dental Facilities

Published

Author(s)

Hanu Batchu, Steve Gruninger, Gary E. Schumacher, F Eichmiller, P L. Fan

Abstract

Particulates and bioaerosols were generated during simulated dental procedures in a dental operatory with 5.5 and 11 air changes per hour. Air sampling of particulates was performed using cassette filters and a laser particle counter. Bioaerosols were monitored using sampling plates in a viable cascade impactor and open face agar plates placed in the operatory. The amounts of particulates were considerably below the EPA limit (150 g/m3) for particulate matter of less than 10 m. No colony forming units of the indicator bacteria were detected on the sampling plates. The results of this investigation suggest that particulates and bioaerosols generated during dental procedures are small in mass and range and are not likely to pose a significant health threat.
Citation
ASHRAE American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Journal

Keywords

bioaerosols, dental aerosols, dental air quality, particulate aerosols

Citation

Batchu, H. , Gruninger, S. , Schumacher, G. , Eichmiller, F. and Fan, P. (2021), Particulate and Bioaerosols in Dental Facilities, ASHRAE American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Journal (Accessed October 8, 2024)

Issues

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Created October 12, 2021