Short Storage Studies on the Effect of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Viability of Airborne Bacteria

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Abstract
The viability of atomized airborne bacteria has been studied from 0.5 second to 4.5 seconds. Radioactive phosphorus, P32, has been used to label the bacteria under study. Since P32 is only subject to physical loss, the losses due to the real death of bacteria and physical loss (sedimentation, etc.) can be differentiated. Data collected to date indicate a very high rate of death during the first 0.5 second of storage. This may be the result of the evaporation of cellular water within the bacterial cells. With a longer storage period, the death rate appears to decrease. Temperature and relative humidity are considered important for the viability of airborne bacteria.