False positives in detection of biological-warfare agents

This study is part of the bio-protect project, supported by the European Commission under the seventh Framework Programme, with the aim of developing a fast-alert, mobile, easy-to-use device to be applied in detection and identification of airborne pathogenic bacteria, spores, viruses and toxins. Besides being mobile, user-friendly and inexpensive it is important that biosensors are sensitive and selective and do not respond to benign indoor aerosols in their typical concentrations, as false positives or negatives can have serious consequences. The purpose of this paper is to provide background information on typical levels of benign indoor aerosols. We identified 76 eligible studies representing different seasons and geographical and climatic regions. Levels of indoor aerosols ranged over several orders of magnitude. Indoor inorganic aerosols were mostly determined by indoor human activities and varied according to building type/transport mode and proximity to traffic whilst organic aerosols were largely determined by season and geography. Selection of detection method also played an important role. The ranges of the typical bioaerosols presented in this study can be used as a reference in designing biosensors used for improvement of public security.