Method and system for sampling and separating submicron-sized particles based on density and or size to detect the presence of a particular agent

A system for sampling and separating submicron-sized particles in an environmental sample, said system comprising:

• means for collecting a sample suspected of containing submicron-sized particles from the environment, wherein said submicron-sized particles are in the size range of from about 5 to 1,000 nanometers;
• means for separating the submicron-sized particles based on size into at least one size range, said means for separating the submicron-sized particles based on size receiving the submicron particles from said means for collecting a sample;
• a microscale particle counter adapted for counting the size separated submicron-sized particles received from the means for separating the submicron-sized particles based on size, said particle, counter comprising at least one cantilever each corresponding to submicron-sized particles of a particular size range, said cantilever being deflectable from a first to a second position to permit passage of the submicron-sized particle therethrough, wherein the corresponding deflection of the cantilever generates a count signal;
• and
• a particle holder adapted for collecting and storing the submicron-sized particles passed by the cantilever.