The study has also shown the development of either a universal standard bioaerosol and/or a bioaerosol assessment standard is, in general, most unlikely as the great majority of microorganisms are unstable and not robust and the range of conditions for bioaerosol assessment is very broad.

The study has showed that no single sampler and/or assay can be adopted as a standard method for all applications. However, AEA Technology’s well-characterised, wet-walled cyclone sampler, that gently handles samples and permits a range of assays to be applied, has been shown to have a very wide range of applications in the assessment of biological materials in the industries such as those involved with biopharmaceuticals, medicine, biotechnology and foods.

In the last year or two, the study has identified a new and increasingly important need in a number of industries of key importance to the present and future UK economy. This need is developing assessment standards for the production as well as the application and use of a wide range of biological materials and molecules and it is particularly important in the case where bioparticle production involves an aerosol step, which it frequently does. The challenge of developing such standardised assessment methods could be addressed in a future phase of the VAM programme. It is likely the development and future adoption of such standards will help UK industry maintain its technical lead in the field and improve its competitiveness.