ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Bioaerosol

Bioaerosols are tiny things in the air that come from living things, like people, animals, and plants. They are so small that you can't even see them! Imagine how small a mosquito is - bioaerosols are even smaller than that!

These bioaerosols can contain germs like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When we breathe in air that has these tiny things in it, they can get into our body and make us sick.

But not all bioaerosols are bad! Sometimes, they can be helpful. For example, when a flower releases pollen into the air, that is a type of bioaerosol. The pollen helps plants make new seeds and grow more flowers.

Scientists study bioaerosols to learn more about how germs can spread in the air and how to keep people safe from getting sick. They use special tools to collect bioaerosols so they can look at them closely and figure out what kind of germs are in them. This helps them figure out how to stop the germs from spreading and causing sickness.