Healthy Indoors Magazine
Issue link: https://hi.healthyindoors.com/i/1467183
18 | April 2022 Sampling Continued from previous page AirAnswers, Bio-Pump Side-by-Side & Time Trial Protocol Locate potentially moldy indoor areas and run devices in parallel at different time periods & side-by-side with Bio-Pumps: 1. (1) 1 x AirAnswers ® devices (run time 24 hrs) 2. (2) 2 x AirAnswers ® devices (run for 1 hour) 3. (3) 1 x AirAnswers ® devices (run for 2 hour) 4. (4) 1 x AirAnswers ® devices (run for 3 hours) 5. (5) 1 x AirAnswers ® devices (run for 8 hours) 6. (6) Air-O-Cell cassette /Bio-Pump - Run at 15 LPM for 5 minutes (once at start of runs out- lined in 2-4 above) apply labels associated with start & end of run onto the Air-O-Cell cassette 7. (7) Run a parallel set of Air-O-Cell outside – apply outside associated label on Air-O-Cell cassette NOTE: Make sure that windows and outside doors are shut while running the AirAnswers devices Analysis (Performed at Inspirotec Lab): • AirAnswers Device 1: β-glucan on supernatants; qPCR spore identification on pellet fraction • AirAnswers Device 2 for 1hr timepoint: spore microscopy on 2nd device • Air-O-Cell: spore counts What Inspirotec will Supply for Each Project: • 6 x AirAnswers Device • AirAnswers Collection Cartridges • Labels for Cartridges and Air-O-Cell Cassettes Chain-of-Custody Form • Air-O-Cell Cassettes • 1x Squid Power Outlet • 5x Simple Set Plug-In Dual Digital Out- door Timer with Grounded Outlets • Shipping boxes with FedEx return label (for sending cartridges and/or Air-O-Cell cassettes to Inspirotec lab) • FedEx return label to return devic- es, squid power outlets, and timers AirAnswers Implementation: Step1: Unpack Items & Confirm Contents Checklist • Remove all contents from the box and confirm with the contents checklist that all items are present NOTE: Don't throw away the shipping box. You will use the shipping to return the devices and accessories back to Inspirotec. Step 2: Insert Cartridge • Gently remove the small circular covering on the bottom of the device, exposing the cartridge insertion area. • Each device comes with 4 cartridges. Locate one cartridge. Gently open the plastic cartridge packaging, exposing the cartridge handle. NOTE: Don't throw away the plastic cartridge holder. You will be shipping the cartridge, stored inside the plas- tic cartridge holder to the Inspirotec lab. • Grip the handle of the cartridge with your fingers. Do not touch the metal test strips located on the interior of the cartridge. Touching the test strips could compromise the lab testing results. • Align the cartridge properly and insert it into the bottom of the device, making sure that all the cartridge fits com- pletely inside, except for the handle. Orientation should match the semi-circular recess in the bottom of the device. The handle will remain exposed when the car- tridge is fully inserted. You will feel a slight snap sensation if properly inserted. Replace the blue circular covering on the bottom of the device, by snapping it back in place. Step 3: Device Placement • Plug-in the devices in a centralized location, 4-6 ft above the floor. • We recommend that the device be placed upon a table or a piece of furniture in a location where the airflow is not obstructed by nearby objects. • We recommend that both AirAnswers devices be placed in a row with space between them (2+ inches). Step 4: Start Testing • Set provided plug-in timers and plug each timer to one outlet of the squid multi- outlet. The de- vice will plug directly into the timer outlet. • Plug-in your AirAnswer device. Upon activation, you will notice the light ring on the lower end of the de- vice will alternate between yellow and green and turn to solid green after a short period of time. If the cartridge is not inserted properly, the light will NOT turn solid green. The light ring will remain green for the entire period that the device is plugged in. • NOTE: Recheck cartridge insertion, detailed in step 2, if the light ring stays yellow. If the light con- tinues to alternate between green and yellow, or if the green light goes out during the testing peri- od, contact us directly if assistance is needed. Step 5: Testing Periods • Run 2 AirAnswer ® devices for 1 hour. • Run 1 AirAnswer ® devices for 2 hours. • Run 1 AirAnswer ® devices for 3 hours. • Run 1 AirAnswer ® devices for 8 hours. Run 1 AirAnswer ® devices for 24 hours.