# Low-Cost Versatile Sampler for Personal PM Exposure by Microenvironment

> **NIH NIH R33** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $431,880

## Abstract

Summary
Stemming the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a leading public health priority. The relative importance
of various transmission modes (e.g., surface contact, large droplet impact, small droplet aerosol), however,
remains uncertain. This uncertainty hinders the prioritization of controls and undermines the validity of current
guidelines (e.g., the 6-ft social distancing rule). Therefore, research is needed to elucidate whether large
droplet or fine-mode aerosol inhalation are viable modes of disease transmittance. A major limitation of the
extant research is that aerosol samples have not been collected within the breathing zone of individuals
(whether they are infected or not); this limitation stems from the cost and physical burden posed by existing
personal (wearable) air sampling technologies. We propose to adapt technologies developed under our
existing grant (R33ES024719 Low-Cost, Versatile Sampler for Personal PM Exposure) for the detection of
aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 RNA within the human breathing zone. We propose to collect the following types of
real-world air samples from active healthcare facilities in Colorado: 1) patient breathing zone (symptomatic and
asymptomatic), 2) room area (surface and air), and 3) healthcare worker breathing zone. We also propose to
quantify viral RNA levels using a novel low-cost microfluidic assay. We hypothesize that enhanced bioshedding
of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol will occur in the breathing zone of infected individuals (relative to matched samples
collected at a 6-ft distance). Further, we will test this hypothesis for both droplet (up to 100 µm) and lung-
penetrating (< 10 µm) aerosol by segregating collected samples by particle size. The information gained from
this research will inform stakeholders about the relative importance of personal protective equipment, personal
distancing, and local ventilation controls.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10177694
- **Project number:** 3R33ES024719-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Charles S Henry
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $431,880
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-25 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10177694

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10177694, Low-Cost Versatile Sampler for Personal PM Exposure by Microenvironment (3R33ES024719-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10177694. Licensed CC0.

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