Bioaerosols from composting facilities—a review

Abstract

Bioaerosols generated at composting plants are released during processes that involve the vigorous movement of material such as shredding, compost pile turning, or compost screening. Such bioaerosols are a cause of concern because of their potential impact on both occupational health and the public living in close proximity to such facilities. The biological hazards potentially associated with bioaerosol emissions from composting activities include fungi, bacteria, endotoxin, and 1-3 β-glucans. There is a major lack of knowledge concerning the dispersal of airborne microorganisms emitted by composting plants as well as the potential exposure of nearby residents. This is due in part to the difficulty of tracing specifically these microorganisms in air. In recent years, molecular tools have been used to develop new tracers which should help in risk assessments. This review summarizes current knowledge of microbial diversity in composting aerosols and of the associated risks to health. It also considers methodologies introduced recently to enhance understanding of bioaerosol dispersal, including new molecular indicators and modeling.

Beyond the planetary boundary layer: Bacterial and fungal vertical biogeography at Mount Sonnblick, Austria

“…It was further identified as characteristic for epiphytic freshwater communities with hypothesised metabolic functions including hydrolytic capability (Ivanova et al, 2018), metabolism of complex compounds (van Kessel et al, 2011), anammox-pathways (Chu et al, 2015) and high ozone resistance (Tian et al, 2017), Planifilum (family Thermoactinomycetaceae), a thermophilic, spore-forming, filamentous, gram-positive, facultative anaerobe Bacilli genus was found in hot springs , compost (Han et al, 2013;Hatayama et al, 2005) and sludge compost (Yu et al, 2015). Planifilum is present in a range of bioaerosol studies from pharmaceutical indoor air and dominated other phylotypes in thermophilic composting bioaerosols (Le Goff et al, 2010;Wéry, 2014). It also occurred with high viable abundances in a controlled clean room for space craft assembly (Mahnert et al, 2015), which indicated its adaption to harsh environments.…”

Atmospheric dispersion modelling of bioaerosols that are pathogenic to humans and livestock – A review to inform risk assessment studies

“…Aerobiology is the research area focusing on the generation and transport of bioaerosols. Bioaerosols are small, airborne particles consisting of biological material (from bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, algae, protozoa, and pollen) either attached to particulate matter or not (Bovallius and Roffey, 1987;Després et al, 2012;Dungan, 2010;Gilbert and Duchaine, 2009;Griffin, 2007;Stärk, 1999;Wéry, 2014). Large amounts of bioaerosols are produced each year by sources in-…”

On the interpretation of bioaerosol exposure measurements and impacts on health

“…Biowaste facilities are commonly studied to assess workers' exposure because of the intense microbial activity involved in waste degradation and because of the types of activities performed by workers (Bonifait et al 2017;Dubuis et al 2017;Mbareche et al 2017a;Van Kampen et al 2014;Wéry 2014;Wouters et al 2006). Farms are another example of workplace settings where bioaerosol exposure is complex.…”