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The survival of Escherichia coli in an aerosol at air temperatures of 15 and 30 °C and a range of humidities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

C. M. Wathes ,
K. Howard  and
A. J. F. Webster
C. M. Wathes
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DU
K. Howard
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DU
A. J. F. Webster
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DU
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Summary

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The survival of Escherichia coli in an aerosol was studied at several temperatures and over a range of relative humidities using a Henderson apparatus.

Death occurred in two phases, the first lasting approximately 1 min; in the second the number of viable microorganisms declined exponentially. E. coli was robust and remained viable for many hours. Death was most rapid at low humidities (< 50% r.h.) at 15 and 30 °C, with half-lives of 14 and 3 min respectively. In humid conditions the half-lives were much longer, approximately 83 and 14 min respectively.

Based on this work, preliminary recommendations for the climate of livestock buildings can now be given to control the airborne spread of E. coli.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 97 , Issue 3 , December 1986 , pp. 489 - 496
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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