Aerobiology of irradiation with the carbon dioxide laser.

The ability of a carbon dioxide laser to scatter debris and aerosolize bacteria from human skin was tested by collecting the aerosols liberated with glass impingers together with a slit sampler. Two sets of tests were done--one to detect dispersal of cells from treatment of rodent ulcers or warts, and the other on pieces of skin obtained from autopsy material, which had been injected with spores. With low power levels a few bacterial particles were collected, together with some whole cells, however, at levels greater than 750 W cm-2 all the cultures were sterile.