Bioaerosols - Aerosols: Measurement, Dosimetry, and Health Effects - page 294

TABLE 12.1 (continued)
Particle Sizes and Health Effects of Airborne Biological Agents

Susceptible
Population b

Biological Agent Type Size ( μ m) Location Reservoir a Health Effect

Biological toxins and
inlammatory agents
Bacterial endotoxin Gram-negative bacterial cells and

cell fragments

Lung E1, E3 Respiratory inlammation H15

Humidiier fever
Cottonworker's lung (byssinosis)
Mill fever
Grain fever
BRS

Legionella spp. Bacterial cells or cell fragments Lung E1 Pontiac fever H15

Fungal glucan Spores, cell fragments Lung E3 Airway inlammation H15

Mucous membrane irritation
Fatigue
Anti-tumor activity

Fungal toxins Spores, cell fragments Lung, uncertain E3 Toxic and irritant effects H15

Organic dust Fungal spores, plant, animal, and

microbial cell fragments

Airways and alveoli E14, E15 ODTS H15

Cotton, hemp, jute, and lax
dust

Microorganisms, cell fragments Lung P Mill fever H11, H15

Acute airway obstruction (byssinosis)
Chronic bronchitis

Grain (oat, wheat, barley)
dust

Microorganisms, cell fragments Lung P Irritation, H11, H15

Grain fever
Asthma,
Chronic bronchitis
Obstructive lung disease

Flour dust

Wood (hard woods: beech
and oak; soft wood) dust

Dust particles Lung P Irritation H15

Nose Lung function

Asthma
Cancer (nasal)