What is the BioAire cassette?
The BioAire is a direct read total particulate air sampling device. It works using the inertial impaction principle similar to other spore trap devices. It is designed for the rapid collection and analysis of airborne particulate including bioaerosols. The particulate includes fibers (e.g. asbestos, fiberglass, cellulose, and clothing fibers) opaque particles (e.g. fly ash, combustion particles, copy toner, oil droplets, and paint) and bioaerosols (e.g. mold spores, pollen, insect parts, skin cell fragments).

When would I use the BioAire cassette?
Whenever there is an indication that an airborne particulate problem might exist. The BioAire cassette is suitable for use in a variety of settings. IAQ investigations, industrial use, hospitals, homes and clean rooms.

Why would I use a BioAire cassette?
The BioAire cassette is a simple to use, disposable device, which gives fast results about the type and concentration pf particulate in the air. It can be used during routine inspections and investigations to determine if there are abnormally high concentrations of fibers, opaque particles or bioaerosols.

What will a BioAire tell me about a building’s air quality?
The lab will send you a detailed analysis report showing the airborne aerosol concentrations for each BioAire sample. The report will usually have several categories with associated sub categories (ex. mold spores, pollen, etc). This will give you a good snapshot of what was in the air when the sample was taken.

Why is the BioAire cassette superior to other devices on the market?
The BioAire is a cassette styled sampling device which comes ready to use. The unique “cloverleaf design” directed flow path couple with the recognized efficiency of the “Hirst” slit for impaction sampling assures even distribution and improved collection efficiency on the impaction area. There is no time spent preparing slides, ordering agar or decontaminating equipment. The BioAire’s unique adhesive gives the user a 1 year shelf life, high tack, consistent surface, excellent optical clarity, permanent archive capability and no sample loss during staining. In addition, the BioAire has superior bioaerosol collection efficiency and quantifies fibers and opaque particles. The BioAire is economical, works with any pump capable of flow at 15 LPM and requires no large investments. The compact design allows use in tight or confined spaces and will provide results overnight. This compares to traditional sampling methods which can take 5 days to culture.

What is the difference between a BioAire and Anderson (Impactor) sample?
An Anderson sample is culturable and a BioAire is not. BioAire gives you readings much faster and cheaper. It can collect biologicals, but not culture them.

How does the BioAire compare to other slit impactors on the market?
The BioAire is unmatched for many reasons. One of the primary reasons is the unique “cloverleaf design” of the air path exit which directs air more evenly and efficiently onto the impaction area created by the “Hirst” slit. Less turbulence of air in the collection chamber increases collection efficiency onto the surface of the easy to handle, large circular slide. Its Certified Leak Free design, ease of use, portability, and reliability make the BioAire cassette the smart choice on the market today.

Is there a published set of exposure limits to bioaerosols?
There is no set of standards put out by any authoritative body at this time.

What is the purpose of the expiration date on the BioAire Cassette?
The BioAire cassette has an expiration date because the adhesive on the slide will lose tackiness. Thus, using the product after the expiration date could result in some sample loss.

How much time do I have to use the BioAire before it expires?
The BioAire has a shelf life of 1 year from date of manufacture. A. P. Buck strives to provide them with at least a 10 month shelf life. However, there is no guarantee that you will have at least 10 months.

Is there an easy way to open a BioAire cassette?
Yes. Do not remove the serialized label around the cassette. Simply cut the label with a fingernail, screwdriver, knife or cassette opening device and carefully open the housing the “Hirst” slit side down. The slide will be resting in place, collection side down, and should not fall out when opened or easily smudged when removing. Grasp the edges and lift up.

Is there any way to prevent the glass slide from cracking when removing it from a BioAire?
The BioAire’s superior round slide makes removal much simpler, stronger and less vulnerable to cracking or outside contamination. Grasp the slide by any two opposing edges and lift up. Be sure to open the cassette with the slide face down toward the “Hirst” slit.

Is there information available which recommends a sampling flow rate, sampling time or has general usage information?
Please download our Users Guide for this information.

What pump can I use with a BioAire?
Any pump capable of 15 LPM of flow. A. P. Buck recommends using the Buck BioAire Pump. This pump is small, lightweight and portable. It pulls the required 15 LPM and has built-in timed cycles, audible / visible sample status indicators, tripod mount and includes a quick, accurate and easy-to-use Rotameter for calibration. Alternatively A. P. Buck can supply you with high volume electric pumps, such as Buck’s LinEair 40, as well as other models capable of sampling with both our B6 Impactor (Anderson N6 Design) and BioAire samples. Please go to our High Volume Pump section for further information.

I have noticed some variation in sampling results when using accessory devices with the BioAire in specific situation, such as behind a wall. Why is this happening?
The BioAire was designed to be used as a stand alone air sampling device. Since the product was designed, several companies have come out with accessory items used in specific situations. A. P. buck remains independent of all these devices as the collection and interpretation of data may vary significantly from standard air sampling procedures. It is important to understand this and to obtain information from the suppliers of these devices regarding the data it will provide.

How can I calibrate my pump?
A. P. Buck includes a specially designed Rotameter with its BioAire Pump to quickly provide in-line calibration to 15 LPM of each filter. Also, available is Buck’s specially modified min-Buck Primary Air/Gas flow calibrator, Model M-30B, for use with the BioAire Cassette and BioAire Pump as well as most other volume pumps. (NOTE: The Buck BioAire Pump and Model M-30B mini-Buck Calibrator can be used with *Air-O-Cell cassettes).

* Air-O-Cell is a registered trademark of Zefon International