A Role for Environmental Engineering and Science in Preventing Bioaerosol-Related Disease.pdf

A Role for Environmental Engineering and Science in Preventing Bioaerosol- Related Disease T hrough allergies, asthma, and infectious disease, bio- logical aerosols are associated with a tremendous global health burden. Environmental engineers and scientists have important roles to play in mitigating this burden, but airborne biological agents present challenges that are different from those engineers faced in controlling waterborne disease in the 20th century. Biological aerosol sources are both environmental and human, the airborne exposure route is poorly established, dilute concentrations preclude quantitative exposure assessment of etiological airborne agents, aerosol treatment may only partly interrupt exposure, and there are no environmental regulations to guide and promote research and intervention. Environmental technologies and modeling approaches must be coupled with public-health efforts and microbiological research. Jordan Peccia YAle UniveRsitY donald K. Milton UniveRsitY of MAssAchUsetts lowell tiina rePonen UniveRsitY of cincinnAti Jane Hill UniveRsitY of veRMont TI IN A R EP O N EN Exposure to various airborne allergens, pathogens, and biotoxins increases as a consequence of flooding. Airborne mold levels from a recent baseline study of homes flooded after Hurricane Katrina meet or exceed the levels found in cotton mills and concentrated agricultural environments. ? 2008 American Chemical Society July 1, 2008 / EnvironmEntAl SCiEnCE tEChnology ■ 4631 Mitigating and preventing environmental expo- sure to bioaerosols will therefore require a broader approach in which engineers forge stronger collabo- rations with public health and social sciences and integrate biotechnology with aerosol science. This article describes the present and pending health and environmental burden associated with bioaerosols, explains why environmental science and engineer- ing are appropriate disciplines to address these and other pro