Standards Development

Scope

Because of possible health risks during exposure to bioaerosols, the objective of this Technical Specification to measure such exposures according to available standard methods, and, on the grounds of a preventive approach, to evaluate these in the scope of environmental health, and to restrict the real risks within a reasonable extent from the viewpoint of environmental health. The level of knowledge concerning risk assessment by impact from bioaerosols is limited.

The level of knowledge on health impacts of bioaerosols is summarized in this Technical Specification in the first place. In addition, the possibilities and limits of the assessment in the scope of environmental health are highlighted. It is subsequently defined how an assessment in the scope of environmental health of bioaerosol emissions that are attributable to emissions from facilities or other sources shall be performed. As basis for the immission measurement reference is made especially to VDI 4251 Part 1. In addition to the question of how, an answer is given also to when an assessment has to take place

Purpose

The assessment in the scope of environmental health of bioaerosols in the sense of this Technical Specification encompasses the assessment of the impact of bioaerosols in ambient air on human health. Preventive medical aspects, as well as the inclusion of sensitive groups of persons thereby have to be considered.

The assessment in the scope of environmental health does not consider the technical feasibility or economic aspects. If the evaluation criteria (background values, etc.) are met, precautionary health protection is sufficiently guaranteed according to the current state of knowledge in accordance with the corresponding criteria.

The proposed procedure can serve as an aid for regulatory decisions.