Assessment of indoor biological air quality at a mass gathering event in an unimproved exhibition facility during the COVID-19 pandemic using a novel air sampling technology

  1. Julian Gordon
  2. Osama Abdullah
  3. Rachel Reboulet
  4. Kara Hanson
  5. Christine Sadowski
  6. Hunter Rennels
  7. Steve Kuemmerle
  8. Richard Tuttle
  9. Kristen Solocinski
  10. Brittany Knight
  11. Jacob Wilkinson
  12. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner

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Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the determination of biomarkers of air quality during a mass gathering event at a convention center using a novel air sampling device, AirAnswers®. This sampler has previously only been used in smaller locations. Here it was run at five crowded locations within the exhibit area for the four days duration of a trade show. The AirAnswers® device uses electro-kinetic flow to sample air at high rates and capture bio-aerosols on grounded electrodes in assayable form. Cartridges were removed from the devices and immediately conveyed to the Inspirotec facility in North Chicago, where assays were performed.

Biomarkers determined were for allergens and molds previously described for this system. Testing for a new marker, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA was also included. The method was validated by determination of capture efficiency with reference to an impinger sampler in a Class III controlled environment chamber. Average capture efficiency for triplicate runs was 14%. One SARS-CoV-2 positive sample as found at the registration area, which was physically separate from the main exhibit area.

Cat allergen Fel d 1was found in four of the locations, dog allergen Can f 1 at two. The airborne biomarker of mold proliferation, (1→3)-β-D-Glucan, was above the assay range in all locations. The widespread presence of this mold marker could be accounted for by signs of water leakage. A generic 18S RNA marker for mold was developed and similarly showed the presence of mold in all locations, as was a genus marker for penicillium . A species marker for Cladosporium cladosporioides was in two locations. Species markers for Eurotium amstelodami and Trichoderma viride were each in a single location.

The main findings were of the widespread presence of mold markers, and the sporadic appearance of SARS-CoV-2. Masking was recommended but not enforced.

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    SciScore for 10.1101/2022.02.19.22271227: (What is this?)

    Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.

    Table 1: Rigor

    Ethicsnot detected.
    Sex as a biological variablenot detected.
    Randomizationnot detected.
    Blindingnot detected.
    Power Analysisnot detected.

    Table 2: Resources

    Software and Algorithms
    SentencesResources
    A BLAST search was conducted on each set of primers and probes to confirm in silico specificity.
    BLAST
    suggested: (BLASTX, RRID:SCR_001653)

    Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).

    Results from LimitationRecognizer: An explicit section about the limitations of the techniques employed in this study was not found. We encourage authors to address study limitations.

    Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.

    Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.

    Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.

    Results from rtransparent:
    • Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • No protocol registration statement was detected.

    Results from scite Reference Check: We found no unreliable references.

    About SciScore

    SciScore is an automated tool that is designed to assist expert reviewers by finding and presenting formulaic information scattered throughout a paper in a standard, easy to digest format. SciScore checks for the presence and correctness of RRIDs (research resource identifiers), and for rigor criteria such as sex and investigator blinding. For details on the theoretical underpinning of rigor criteria and the tools shown here, including references cited, please follow this link.

  2. Version published to 10.1101/2022.02.19.22271227 on medRxiv