PILOT STUDY OF MODIFIED ROTATING ARM IMPACTOR FOR USE IN AEROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Utilized in aerobiological studies, the Rotarod Sampler (IQVIA) remains the gold standard in determining volumetric ambient airborne pollen concentration. However, utilization comes at the cost of high energy consumption, start-up and maintenance fees, and variable air patterns generated by rotating I-rods. We present a prototype to address the aforementioned issues: a battery-powered rotating arm impactor utilizing slides as opposed to rods. <h3>Methods</h3> The Rotorod Sampler Model 40 and prototype were situated in the same area and height, equipped with two rods and two slides coated with silicone grease, respectively. 7 atmospheric samples were collected and counted at various intervals over an 18-day period in June 2022, and directly compared. <h3>Results</h3> The prototype was created using 3D printing, with a 24 × 24 -millimeter exposure of each slide for sample collection. The prototype's speed was set at 10 revolutions per minute (RPM), while the Rotarod Sampler was set at 2400 rpm and utilized standard 31 × 1-millimeter sampler rods. Prototype battery needed to be replaced on days 2 and 18, and consequently may have impacted results. Mean pollen count and standard deviation of Rotarod Sampler was 124.2 and 40, and 23.4 and 10.6 for the prototype. The correlation coefficient was 0.61, signifying moderate positive association between pollen counts obtained from the Rotarod Sampler and prototype. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Though our prototype has a larger surface area, it collected significantly less pollen than the Rotarod Sampler. A moderate correlation between the two devices was observed, though increases in the RPM of the prototype should be considered for future evaluation.