Bioaerosols in Healthcare Settings: Exploring Sampling and Analytical Methods

• Grant number: 24/22840-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Roberta Cerasi Urban
• Grantee: Gustavo Bitencort dos Santos
• Supervisor: Benigno Sanchez Cabrero
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/07601-1 - Fungal bioaerosols in a developing city: a case study in São Carlos, SP, BP.IC

Abstract

Atmospheric pollution is a critical environmental and health issue, with bioaerosols and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) representing significant contributors to indoor and outdoor air quality concerns. This study focuses on analyzing fungal bioaerosols and VOCs in diverse environments, including hospitals, residences of patients with chronic respiratory diseases, and markets in Barcelona (Spain), and in São Carlos (Brazil). Using both active (Coriolis air sampler and Hi-Vol) and passive deposition sampling methods, fungal bioaerosols will be quantified as colony-forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU m-3) on malt extract agar plates, while VOCs will be analyzed through thermal desorption and gas chromatography. Therefore, the research aims to provide comprehensive data on indoor air quality, particularly in environments occupied by vulnerable populations, and to evaluate the efficacy of various sampling and analytical techniques. Additionally, this interdisciplinary project will also significantly contribute to the student's academic and professional growth, which will gain expertise in fieldwork, analytical techniques, statistical analysis, and effective communication of scientific results to diverse audiences. Aligned with the FAIR data principles, the studies may be expanded and may be further explored in the student's postgraduate studies. Furthermore, the project represents a two-way knowledge transfer between the student and the LBGqA-UFSCar research group, enhancing the group's research capabilities and promoting long-term benefits for its scientific endeavors.