Our Disinfection and Aerobiology lab focuses on the characterization and control of microbiological air pollution and microbially induced corrosion.  The lab performs genetic, biochemical and toxicological techniques to assess the efficacy of engineering interventions in sectors of sanitary engineering and industrial hygiene that are relevant to environmental health.  There is special focus on aerobiology and fomite science for wide-area surveillance, indoor cleaning technology and the design of disinfection systems in the built environment.

  • Technology focus: Disinfection of the built environment
  • Equipment summary: Small, medium and large chambers for aerosol and surface disinfection trials.
  • Analytical summary: Direct microscopic, biomarker, genomic and culturing analyses.
  • Open to: University, industry and philanthropic partners
schematic

Schematic of full scale bioaerosol chamber outfitted with full environmental controls (RH, Temperature).

Layout of capture

Size segregated biological particle control and real time monitoring.

Marina

Dr. Marina Nieto Caballero operates full scale bioaerosol chamber.

Bioaerosol Chamber Sizes
The Disinfection and Aerobiology lab manages two in house bioaerosol chambers- 10m3 (large) or 1m3 (small).  Our lab also has priority access to full scale bioaerosol chambers (100 m3) outfitted with a dedicated conventional HVAC system and environmental control.  This HVAC system can be outfitted with a disinfection system of choice, or disinfectants / UV can be directly incorporated into room air independently at a chosen dose. This can be used to determine airborne (disinfection) inactivation rates of common nosocomial bacteria (e.g. Staph, Klebsiella, Psuedomonas etc), bacteriophage (MS2, Phi6) as well as many mammalian respiratory viruses (influenza, syncytial and paramyxoviruses, or coronaviruses). 

Pricing
The Disinfection and Aerobiology lab offers the following anaylitical services on a fee basis in the 10m3 (large) or 1m3 (small) bioaerosol chambers. Each trial represents one controlled environmental condition (humidity & temperature) and requires a minimum of three replicates. In the case that no baseline data already exists, three baseline replicates will be required to accompany any requests. For the 100 m3 full scale facilities, please contact cuaerobiologylab@colorado.edu for pricing and availability (prices vary depending on agent, beginning at $30K for a suite of controls and disinfection challenges considering a minimum of 3 replicates). 

Trial Large Chamber
(10 cubic meters)		 Small Chamber
(1 cubic meter)
Bacteria, microscopy analysis $890 $531
Bacteria, genomics analysis $4,783 $2,567
Bacteria, culturing analysis $1,208 $700
Virus, genomics analysis $7,411 $3,874
Virus, culturing analysis $7,680 $3,989
Fungi, microscopy analysis $874 $531
Fungi, genomics analysis $4,793 $2,567
Fungi, culturing analysis $1,207 $695
Fungi, allergen analysis $4,793 $2,567
Dust mite allergen analysis $7,189 $3,850

*Use of special media amendments (saliva, mucus, lung lavage) is an additional $3,600 per trial. 

Microbial and Allergen Collections
Our lab works with most common pure microbial cultures, primary mamalian cell lines, viruses and allergens:

  • bacterial nosocomial agents
  • fungal spores on EPA ERMI list
  • pollens found in temperate climates
  • viruses; and
  • allergens

A complete list can be found here. 

How to Place an Order
To place an order please follow the following steps:
1. Email cuaerobiologylab@colorado.edu to indicate the number and type of chamber runs requested. 
2. Our team will confirm your order, schedule services, and send an invoice. 
3. To make payments by credit card please visit the checkout page and enter the invoice number and credit card payment information.