Innovative Sampling for Large-Scale Biological Outdoor Contamination Events
About the Webinar
Originally presented November 14, 2023
A large-scale release of a biological agent such as Bacillus anthracis would require very complex and potentially daunting remediation efforts. Significant progress has been made in developing capabilities and preparedness for indoor biological contamination incident response. However, capabilities and operational strategies for cleaning up outdoor environments are lacking and represent a major preparedness gap.
Current methods for remediation would require the collection of unrealistic numbers of samples over long periods of time. In order to reduce resource needs, EPA researchers developed the Activity-based Aggressive-air Contained Sampling System (AACeSS) to cover large contaminated outdoor areas in a shorter timeframe. This webinar will present an overview of the innovative air sampling system and results from lab and field testing in collecting resuspended biological particles that could result from a large-scale biological release.
About the Presenters
John Archer is a researcher in EPA's Office of Research and Development's Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response. His current research focuses on novel bioaerosol sampling methods and strategies, resuspension of chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) agents from indoor and outdoor surfaces, testing and evaluation of emergency response sampling instrumentation, exposure assessment to CBR agents, and chemical, biological agent personnel decontamination. He currently oversees EPA's Aerosol Test Facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina which includes a large closed-loop aerosol wind tunnel used for aerosol and bioaerosol research studies. John holds a B.S. in Earth Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a M.S. in Environmental Sciences and Engineering (Air, Radiation and Industrial Hygiene focus) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is also a Certified Industrial Hygienist.