Towards real-time detection of industrial emissions
“This work has laid a foundation for improving real-time detection and identification of bioaerosols emitted by industrial processes. Our insights will inform the development of new detection and response systems for public health, agriculture, and security.”
Dr Zaheer Nasar, Reader in Atmospheric Aerosols, Cranfield University.
What’s the challenge we’re facing?
Waste management and intensive agricultural facilities release bioaerosols that can pose health risks to workers and surrounding communities, potentially causing allergies, toxicity, and infections. However, current sampling, analysis, and monitoring methods have significant limitations, leading to gaps in our understanding of bioaerosol emission patterns, public exposure, and associated health risks. Specifically, the health risks from process-related bioaerosols and those occurring naturally in the environment remain unclear.
What advances are we aiming for?
The NERC-funded Endotox-II project aimed to develop improved techniques for rapidly detecting and characterising inflammatory agents in bioaerosols. The research focused on assessing exposure levels and understanding how bioaerosols and endotoxins contribute to inflammation. As part of the project, fluorescence-based bioaerosol sensors were tested to determine their ability to detect and analyse bioaerosols from biowaste and intensive agriculture facilities in real time. The goal was to use these real-time detection methods to better understand how bioaerosols are emitted and spread from industrial processes.
What have we achieved so far?
The study, involving the UK Health Security Agency and the Environment Agency, demonstrated the effectiveness of real-time bioaerosol monitoring using the Spectral Intensity Bioaerosol Sensor (SIBS), an advanced instrument capable of detecting and characterising biological particles based on their optical and fluorescence properties. The SIBS is based on University of Hertfordshire technology licensed, via Ploughshare (Dstl’s commercial arm), to US company Droplet Measurement Technologies.
Key findings include:
Quantification and spatio-temporal characterisation: SIBS effectively identified emission events from industrial processes, offering detailed spatio-temporal profiles of bioaerosols. Unlike conventional methods, it revealed significant variations in bioaerosol concentrations based on site activity, offering new insights relevant to regulatory compliance.
Bioaerosol size distribution: The study showed that particle size distribution varies between composting sites and poultry farming emissions, crucial for understanding bioaerosol behavior, dispersion, and respiratory health risks.
Fluorescence spectral data for targeted detection: Analysis revealed new insights for developing specific optical-fluorescence signatures to target bacteria and fungi with low-cost sensors.
Improving health impact assessments: The project provided valuable data for health impact assessments and improved dispersion modelling of bioaerosols from waste management and agricultural facilities.
Where next, through the Hub?
Building on ENDOTOX's advances, the Hub will expand the use of real-time bioaerosol monitoring across diverse environments. This will improve exposure assessment methods and deepen our understanding of how bioaerosol exposure affects human health. This work will directly support the Environment Agency and UK Health Security Agency, helping to translate scientific research into evidence-based policy and develop new approaches to bioaerosol regulation and public health.