Real-Time Detection of Airborne Pathogens: Science Fiction or Imminent Reality?

Abstract

A device capable of reporting the airborne pathogen concentration within an indoor space in real time may sound fictional, but such devices have recently become a major research focus for aerobiologists across the world. Here, we aim to discuss the recent progress made toward the development of real-time airborne pathogen detection, attempting to answer the question of whether such devices could soon become a part of our day-to-day reality. After reviewing several recent publications that come close to the actual development of real-time airborne pathogen detection, we concluded that, while there remain significant technological and logistical hurdles to the implementation of this technology, it is technically feasible and could indeed be an imminent reality. However, upon consideration of practical limitations to how the devices could be used, our perspective is that the development of these devices should not be a focus of aerobiology research. The inability of the devices to respond to emerging pathogens, the cost of the devices, and the limitations to their functionality imposed by the complexity of indoor air flows mean that even if real-time airborne pathogen detection emerges beyond the realms of science fiction, it is only within limited scenarios that this significant technological leap will offer any practical benefit.