Bioaerosol releases from compost facilities: Evaluating passive and active source terms at a green waste facility for improved risk assessments

Taha, M. P. M.; Drew, Gillian H.; Smith, Richard; Pollard, Simon J. T.

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.11.010

Cited by 123 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…These microorganisms become airborne, giving rise to fugitive emissions during the composting process, particularly during agitation activities, such as shredding, turning, and screening (Taha et al, 2006). The bioaerosol components studied and identified as potentially harmful (Searl, 2008;Swan et al, 2003) are:…”

Section: Bioaerosols Emitted During Compostingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Newer indoor facilities known as in-vessel composting facilities (IVC) still have some open-air processes, usually as part of the final maturation phase (Smith et al, 2009). Composting yields significant concentrations of bioaerosols (Wheeler et al, 2001;Taha et al, 2006). Bioaerosols are airborne biological particles, microbial fragments and constituents of cells, which may be viable or nonviable, and consist of fungi, bacteria, pollen, and fragments, constituents, particulate matter (PM 10 ), and by-products of cells (Douwes et al, 2003;Dowd and Maier, 2000;Viegas et al, 2014).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Exposures and Health Outcomes in Relation to Bioaerosol Emissions From Composting Facilities: A Systematic Review of Occupational and Community Studies

Pearson

Littlewood

Douglas

et al. 2015

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

145

109

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The number of composting sites in Europe is rapidly increasing, due to efforts to reduce the fraction of waste destined for landfill, but evidence on possible health impacts is limited. This article systematically reviews studies related to bioaerosol exposures within and near composting facilities and associated health effects in both community and occupational health settings. Six electronic databases and bibliographies from January 1960 to July 2014 were searched for studies reporting on health outcomes and/or bioaerosol emissions related to composting sites. Risk of bias was assessed using a customized score. Five hundred and thirty-six papers were identified and reviewed, and 66 articles met the inclusion criteria (48 exposure studies, 9 health studies, 9 health and exposure studies). Exposure information was limited, with most measurements taken in occupational settings and for limited time periods. Bioaerosol concentrations were highest on-site during agitation activities (turning, shredding, and screening). Six studies detected concentrations of either Aspergillus fumigatus or total bacteria above the English Environment Agency's recommended threshold levels beyond 250 m from the site. Occupational studies of compost workers suggested elevated risks of respiratory illnesses with higher bioaerosol exposures. Elevated airway irritation was reported in residents near composting sites, but this may have been affected by reporting bias. The evidence base on health effects of bioaerosol emissions from composting facilities is still limited, although there is sufficient evidence to support a precautionary approach for regulatory purposes. While data to date are suggestive of possible respiratory effects, further study is needed to confirm this and to explore other health outcomes.Waste management policy is rapidly evolving, largely because European countries are running out of space for landfill sites. Further, poor waste management contributes to climate change and threatens environmental sustainability. It is estimated that each tonne of food waste diverted from landfill to composting

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Section: Bioaerosols Emitted During Compostingmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposures and Health Outcomes in Relation to Bioaerosol Emissions From Composting Facilities: A Systematic Review of Occupational and Community Studies

Pearson

Littlewood

Douglas

et al. 2015

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

145

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The existence and concentration of individual species associated with the composting process is highly variable and heavily dependant on a number of factors. These include, the nature of the material being composted, individual bioaerosol properties, the temperature and moisture content of the compost, process design, site operations such as turning, shredding and screening, geographical, topographical and meteorological conditions and whether the process is enclosed or carried out in the open air [28,30]. At present the literature available to determine the potential risks to employees' health from bioaerosol exposure is not sufficiently exhaustive or conclusive.…”

Section: Bacteriamentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Bioaerosol liberation from composting activities are influenced by waste composition, moisture content and meteorological conditions [30,37]. Consequently, monitoring was undertaken at each site three times per year during January -March, April -June and July -September to determine the impact of seasonal variation on employee exposure.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of Employee Exposure to Organic Dust at Large-Scale Composting Facilities.

Jones¹,

Sykes²,

Allen³

et al. 2009

A95. Microbes and Organic Dusts at Work

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Abstract. The occupational health implications from exposure to dust, endotoxin and 1-3 β Glucan at commercial composting sites are uncertain. This study aims to establish employee exposure levels to inhalable and respirable dust, endotoxin and 1-3 β Glucan during various operational practices in the composting process. Personal samples were collected and the inhalable and respirable dust fractions were determined by gravimetric analysis. Endotoxin concentrations were determined using a Limulus Amebocyte Lysate assay (LAL). 1-3 β Glucan levels were estimated using a specific blocking agent to establish the contribution that these compounds gave to the original endotoxin assay. Employees' exposure to dust was found to be generally lower than the levels stipulated in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (as amended), (median inhalable fraction 1.08 mg/m 3 , min 0.25 mg/m 3 max 10.80 mg/m 3 , median respirable fraction 0.05 mg/m 3 , min 0.02 mg/m 3 , max 1.49 mg/m 3 ). Determination of the biological component of the dust showed that employees' exposures to endotoxin were elevated (median 31.5 EU/m 3 , min 2.00 EU/m 3 , max 1741.78 EU/m 3 ), particularly when waste was agitated (median 175.0 EU/m 3 , min 2.03 EU/m 3 , max 1741.78 EU/m 3 ). Eight out of 32 (25%) of the personal exposure data for endotoxin exceeded the 200 EU/m 3 temporary legal limit adopted in the Netherlands and thirteen out of 32 (40.6%) exceeded the suggested 50 EU/m 3 guidance level suggested to protect workers from respiratory health effects. A significant correlation was observed between employee inhalable dust exposure and personal endotoxin concentration (r = 0.728, p<0.05) and also personal endotoxin exposure and 1-3 β Glucan concentration (r = 0.817, p<0.05). Further work is needed to explore the possibility of using inhalable dust concentration as a predictor for personal endotoxin exposure. The general dust levels stipulated in the COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended) are inadequate for managing the potential health risks associated with endotoxin exposure at composting sites. Employee exposure levels and dose-response disease mechanisms are not well understood at this present time. Consequently, in light of this uncertainty, it is recommended that a precautionary approach be adopted in managing the potential health risks associated with inhalation of organic dusts at composting sites.

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“…Composting facilities deal with the biodegradable components of waste and the process relies on the breakdown of the waste by microorganisms (Swan et al, 2003). During the composting process, these microorganisms can become airborne, particularly when the compost is disturbed (Taha et al, 2006), and contribute to the atmospheric loading of bioaerosol. Bioaerosols can consist of bacteria, fungi, pollen and constituents, fragments and by-products of cells (Douwes et al, 2003) that vary in size from 0.02 -100 microns (Dowd and Maier, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory hospital admission risk near large composting facilities

Douglas

Bakolis

Fecht

et al. 2016

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

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Bioaerosol releases from compost facilities: Evaluating passive and active source terms at a green waste facility for improved risk assessments

Cited by 123 publications

References 22 publications

Exposures and Health Outcomes in Relation to Bioaerosol Emissions From Composting Facilities: A Systematic Review of Occupational and Community Studies

Exposures and Health Outcomes in Relation to Bioaerosol Emissions From Composting Facilities: A Systematic Review of Occupational and Community Studies

An Analysis of Employee Exposure to Organic Dust at Large-Scale Composting Facilities.

Respiratory hospital admission risk near large composting facilities

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