Frequently asked questions

Respiratory viruses spread through shared air in our natural environments including indoor air, often before symptoms appear, making clinical diagnostic data a lagging indicator. By detecting pathogens circulating in indoor environments, we are studying whether air sampling could act as a leading indicator and assist in more quickly identifying potentially emerging threats. Air sampling can be a cost-effective and non-invasive tool for detecting environmental changes before they appear through traditional testing or reporting, supporting situational awareness without disrupting daily activities or operations.

A small, quiet device pulls air across a filter that captures aggregated and deidentified genetic material in the ambient air. The cassette holding the filter is then removed and tested, using testing modalities, to detect for certain pathogens. A report is issued identifying the pathogens detected. Depending on the site, the filters could be sent to our labs for testing or a site may have or be provided with direct air testing modalities for use on-site.

Using multipathogen panels in our labs, we can test for up to 20 pathogens simultaneously, including influenza A and B, SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and other common respiratory viruses. When direct air testing modalities are used on site, they deliver results on a smaller number of pathogenic targets. With full metagenomic sequencing conducted in a lab, we can detect thousands of viruses and bacteria at once, including potentially emerging variants and novel pathogens that targeted tests would typically miss.

Air quality monitoring measures physical and chemical pollutants such as particulate matter or CO₂. Air pathogen sampling captures biological material (viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms) to identify potentially infectious agents circulating in an indoor space.

We provide a participating site with an air sampler device, supplies (such as replaceable air sampler cassettes that contain the filters), and the training needed to start air sampling. To get started, an adult person sets up the device and starts an air sampling session by inserting one cassette into the air sampler. Personnel at the site then removes and replaces the cassette on a regular basis (typically one to three times per week), whilst logging the air sampling sessions into our mobile app. Each cassette swap takes only a few minutes and does not require any technical background. We will arrange with each participating site how and where the used cassettes will be tested, based on the participating site’s access to testing facilities. Some sites can conduct the testing on-site and/or may be provided with direct air testing modalities. For sites without on-site testing capabilities or modalities, the site would ship used cassettes to a designated lab for analysis. We cover all costs and logistics, including the cost of shipping the cassettes, and give each site open-access to its data and results.

We are primarily based in the United States, where most of our program participants are located. We also collaborate with partners internationally, including in Zambia, Nepal, and Taiwan. We welcome participation from sites around the world.

A site only needs a suitable indoor space, a power outlet for the air sampler, and an adult staff member available for quick periodic cassette swaps. Thereafter,  if a site has or is provided with on-site testing modalities, then an adult staff member will carry out the testing and obtain a report. If a site does not have the on-site testing modalities, then the site will send the used cassettes to our labs for testing. Participation is fully funded by  Lungfish, and we aim to make it as straightforward and non-disruptive as possible.

Yes. To participate in the research, organizations need to sign a simple Participation Agreement between Lungfish and your organization that sets forth the terms and conditions for participation.

Contact us at info@lung.fish to start a conversation. We’ll provide you with information so you can make informed decisions about participating in this research and whether our program is right for you and your organization.

Our air sampling device is the Apollo Ambient Air Sampler, manufactured by InBio, a UK-based manufacturer. To learn more information about InBio, please  review their website, https://inbio.com/apollo/. InBio has manufactured the device to be a compact, whisper-quiet unit that runs continuously once plugged in. It arrives ready to plug in, does not require specialist installation and only needs minimal maintenance.

The Apollo is small enough to sit on a desk or shelf and requires no complex installation. It needs to be on a flat surface at table height, near a power outlet, with its air intake facing the room and airflow unobstructed on all sides.

The Apollo requires a power outlet. It does not need an internet connection. However, the person logging the sampling event will need a smartphone or tablet with an internet connection to record the samples in our app.

It depends on whether a site sends their samples to a lab or performs their own testing on-site. Samples sent to our labs for testing or sequencing have an average turnaround time of one week. If a site is provided with direct air testing modalities to use on-site, then results can be obtained in under two hours. Your Lungfish contact will confirm expected timelines for your site.

Results indicate whether aggregated, deidentified genetic material from specific pathogens was detected in the sampled air during a given period. A positive signal typically means a pathogen was present in the environment – it is not intended to identify who is sick or diagnose individuals, nor should it be used for that purpose. We are studying whether results are most useful when tracked over time and interpreted alongside contextual information.

We are studying whether environmental air sampling results may assist participating organizations in making informed operational decisions to improve their environmental conditions as they deem reasonable and appropriate, such as increasing fresh air exchanges via the HVAC system.

No. These sorts of environmental air sampling activities are designed solely for monitoring ambient air for environmental pathogens for scientific research purposes only. All biological material collected through the InBio air sampling device is aggregated and deidentified and does not qualify as human subject research. It is not a medical device and is not certified by FDA/CE for medical use, and should not be used for diagnosing, treating, mitigating, or preventing any diseases, allergies, or human health conditions. The research data we provide to you is for informational purposes only and should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding a medical condition.

The results generated by a particular site are shared with that site. In consultation with your management team, results from your site may also be shared (on an aggregated, de-identified basis) with relevant public health partners. In addition, aggregated, de-identified data may be included in our public dashboards. No personal data is collected, and the handling of any findings deemed sensitive by your team or ours will be coordinated privately.

Clinical health surveillance data collected by public health authorities is generally a lagging indicator of pathogen prevalence. By the time cases show up through individual testing, outbreaks are already underway. Through analyzing biological signals in sewage and environmental water samples, wastewater surveillance can act as a leading indicator, taking the 'biological pulse' of entire communities and ecosystems in a single sample. We are studying how this tool can support situational awareness and informed, proactive decision-making, thereby helping organizations or communities prioritize resources without disrupting daily activities or operations. This cost-effective and non-invasive technology may be especially valuable as an early warning system, allowing quicker pathogen detection than traditional methods such as diagnostic testing and reporting.

We can identify common pathogens, including gastrointestinal viruses (e.g., norovirus) and respiratory viruses (e.g., influenza A and B, SARS-CoV-2 or RSV). With full metagenomic sequencing, we can detect thousands of viruses and bacteria at once, including potentially emerging variants and novel pathogens that targeted tests would typically miss. We can also spot hormones and metabolites linked to stress and physiology, as well as aggregated drug use patterns (e.g., antidepressants, ADHD medications, pain medications, antivirals, and some antibiotics).

Water quality monitoring measures physical and chemical characteristics of water, such as pH, nutrients, heavy metals, or contaminants. Wastewater pathogen monitoring analyzes biological signals — genetic material from viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms — to understand what pathogens and biological materials may be circulating in a population.

We provide a participating site with supplies and training for collecting and shipping samples to our labs. The trained site personnel then collects sewage samples (following safety protocols, of course!) on a regular schedule (typically one to three times per week) and ships them to our lab, where we extract and sequence genetic material to identify which viruses, bacteria, and other biological signals are present for performing our research.

We are primarily based in the United States, where most of our program participants are located. We also collaborate with partners internationally, including in Zambia, Nepal, and Taiwan. We welcome participation from sites around the world.

Any site with wastewater access can participate. Sites provide samples on a regular schedule, with collection requiring  minimal staff time and Lungfish providing all necessary guidance and certain materials for collecting and packaging the samples. Lungfish handles all costs of shipping the wastewater samples (biohazardous materials) and the logistics for analyzing the biological materials received.

Yes. To participate in the research, organizations need to sign a simple Participation Agreement between Lungfish and your organization that sets forth the terms and conditions for participation.

Contact us at info@lung.fish to start a conversation. We’ll provide you with information so you can make informed decisions as to whether participating in this research study is right for you and your organization.

Typically about a week from sample receipt, depending on the day of arrival. However, turnaround time depends upon  numerous variables (e.g., shipping and processing time) and Lungfish neither  guarantees nor warrants that any results will be returned within this time frame.

Results generally indicate whether aggregated deidentified genetic material from specific pathogens was detected in the sampled wastewater during a given period. A positive signal suggests that a target was present in the environment - it is not intended to identify who is sick or diagnose individuals, nor should it be used for that purpose. We are studying whether results are most useful when tracked over time and interpreted alongside contextual information.

Scientific data obtained from this wastewater sampling research study is shared with your site for informational purposes only. In consultation with your team, testing results may also be shared with relevant public health partners, and aggregated, deidentified data may be included in our public dashboards in accordance with any written agreement, your consent or Lungfish’s privacy  policies. No personal data is collected and investigators do not attempt to identify any biological materials with any particular individual or individuals. Further, the handling of any findings deemed sensitive by your team or ours will be coordinated privately.