Bioaerosol Concentration at an Outdoor Composting Center

Folmsbee, Martha; Strevett, Keith A.

doi:10.1080/10473289.1999.10463824

Cited by 25 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(12 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The average concentration of bacteria determined in this study was comparable with data reported for bacterial concentrations at composting facilities in a number of previous studies (Folmsbee and Strevett 1999;Hryhorczuk et al 2001;Sanchez-Monedero et al 2005), and lower than that found in others (Swan et al 2003;Taha et al 2006). In comparison, bacterial levels were found to be higher than those of fungal aerosols.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Previous investigations have largely studied bioaerosol from composting plants or facilities (Van der Werf 1996;Folmsbee and Strevett 1999;Hryhorczuk et al 2001;Sanchez-Monedero et al 2005;Taha et al 2006). A few studies have looked at bioaerosol release from land application of biosolids and potential hazards posed by this (Pillai et al 1996;Gerba et al 2002;Brooks et al 2004;Brooks et al 2005); however, it seem that data relating to bioaerosol emissions as a result of application of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost are lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Bioaerosol emissions arising during application of municipal solid-waste compost

et al. 2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although application of composted municipal waste has its benefits, there are also concerns about a range of adverse effects. Bioaerosol emissions are one cause of concern because of related health problems. To assess the concentration of bioaerosols emitted during application of compost, fungi and bacteria were collected using an Andersen biosampler. Temperature and relative humidity were also recorded at each location. Total bacterial concentrations averaged 2,887 cfu/m 3 for background samples and 6,727 cfu/m 3 for compost-application samples, which constitutes a significant difference. The mean concentration of fungi during application of compost was three times greater than the background, but the difference was not significant. Concentrations of total bacteria in compost-application samples decreased significantly with increasing humidity. These results indicated that bioaerosol emissions as a result of application of compost could increase levels of exposure to bacteria and pose a potential health risk for exposed individuals.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Bioaerosol emissions arising during application of municipal solid-waste compost

et al. 2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These results were in the range 10 3 -10 6 cfu m Ϫ3 , which is in agreement with the results of other authors working with similar conditions. 6,[9][10][11][12] The amounts recorded at downwind locations D2, D3, and D5 (200 and 300 m downwind) during vigorous activity were similar to background levels, reflecting the good air dispersion (Figure 2). The airborne concentrations at these downwind locations were occasionally slightly above the background levels, but never exceeded 2.9 ϫ 10 3 cfu m Ϫ3 .…”

Section: ϫ3mentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioaerosol Generation at Large-Scale Green Waste Composting Plants

Sánchez-Monedero

Stentiford

Urpilainen

2005

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bioaerosol release from composting plants is a cause of concern because of the potential health impacts on site workers and local residents. A one-year monitoring was undertaken in a typical composting plant treating green wastes by windrowing in the open. Aspergillus fumigatus spores and mesophilic bacteria were used as monitoring parameters and were collected in a six-stage Andersen sampler impactor from the air at different locations and during different operational activities. Background concentrations of both microorganisms were generally below 1000 colony-forming units m Ϫ3 when no vigorous activity was taking place. Shredding of fresh green wastes, pile turning, and screening of mature compost were identified as the activities generating the highest amounts of both bioaerosols 40 m downwind of the composting pad. These air concentrations were ϳ2 log units higher than background levels. Screening of mature compost generated lower amounts of A. fumigatus than the other two activities (an average of 1 log unit higher than background levels). Workers were identified as the main potential receptors of high bioaerosol concentrations in areas close to the composting pad, whereas no major risk for local residents was expected because the concentrations recorded at distances of 200 and 300 m downwind of the operational area were not significantly different from background levels.

show abstract

“…Aerosolized microbes may originate from agricultural fields 2 , sewage treatment centres 3 , geothermal springs 4 , any surface exposed to sufficient wind force 5 and large-scale volcanic eruptions 6 . Organisms that have been independently aerosolized or attached to dust particles can be transported thousands of kilometres, which presumably allows microbes to easily move between continents and hemispheres [7][8][9][10][11] .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%