Dictionary of Allergies .. Air-sampling methods

Air sampling is used routinely for monitoring the populations of airborne particles, to inform the population about air quality and pollen/spore counts through broadcasting (weather reports, etc.). It is used by major hospitals to monitor the populations of specific allergenic particles (fungal spores, etc.), so that the causes of patients' allergies can be determined. And it is used in crop pathology for disease-forecasting, so that growers can apply fungicides as and when required.

There are three major types of sampling device that allow the number of particles to be assessed in a known volume of air: the rotorod sampler, the Burkard sampler, the Anderson sampler.

References

Frenz DA, Guthrie BL, Straka JG. A rapid, reproducible method for coating Rotorod Sampler collector rods with silicone grease. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2001 Nov;87(5):390-3. Erratum in:Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003 Mar;90(3):363.