Waste Workers’ Exposure to Airborne Fungal and Bacterial Species in the Truck Cab and During Waste Collection

Abstract

A large number of people work with garbage collection, and exposure to microorganisms is considered an occupational health problem. However, knowledge on microbial exposure at species level is limited. The aim of the study was to achieve knowledge on waste collectors’ exposure to airborne inhalable fungal and bacterial species during waste collection with focus on the transport of airborne microorganisms into the truck cab. Airborne microorganisms were collected with samplers mounted in the truck cab, on the workers’ clothes, and outdoors. Fungal and bacterial species were quantified and identified. The study showed that the workers were exposed to between 112 and 4.8×104 bacteria m−3 air and 326 and 4.6×104 fungi m−3 air. The personal exposures to bacteria and fungi were significantly higher than the concentrations measured in the truck cabs and in the outdoor references. On average, the fungal and bacterial concentrations in truck cabs were 111 and 7.7 times higher than outdoor reference measurements. In total, 23 fungal and 38 bacterial species were found and identified. Most fungal species belonged to the genus Penicillium and in total 11 Penicillium species were found. Identical fungal species were often found both in a personal sample and in the same person’s truck cab, but concentrations were on average 27 times higher in personal samples. Concentrations of fungal and bacterial species found only in the personal samples were lower than concentrations of species also found in truck cabs. Skin-related bacteria constituted a large fraction of bacterial isolates found in personal and truck cab samples. In total, six Staphylococcus species were found. In outdoor samples, no skin-related bacteria were found. On average, concentrations of bacterial species found both in the truck cab and personal samples were 77 times higher in personal samples than in truck cab samples. In conclusion, high concentrations of fungi were found in truck cabs, but the highest concentrations were found in personal samples; fungal and bacterial species found in high concentrations in personal samples were also found in truck cabs, but in lower concentrations indicating that both fungi and bacteria are transported by the workers into the truck cab, and are subsequently aerosolized in the truck cab.

Investigating cross‐contamination by yeast strains from dental solid waste to waste‐handling workers by DNA sequencing

“…There are some studies focusing on hospital and dental waste, although very few discuss specific aspects such as their potential biological risks, specially their fungi content. Previous results of our group (Vieira et al., , ) and other studies (Madsen, Alwan, Ørberg, Uhrbrand, & Jørgensen, ) proved the presence of different species of viable bacteria and also of some yeast inside biomedical waste. To widen the discussion on the possible risks to waste workers, this study proposed to investigate fungal strains recovered from dental waste, comparing with those samples isolated from waste workers' tissues (hands and nasal mucosa) and their work wear.…”

Measurement of dust‐borneMRSAin pig farms using different approaches

“…Isolates resembling MRSA and S. aureus were identified from MRSA-agar and SA-agar, respectively using matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) (Madsen et al 2016). A toothpick was used to transfer a small amount of the bacterial colony onto the target plate (MSP 96 target polished steel BC; Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany).…”

Bioaerosols and Health: Current Knowledge and Gaps in the Field of Waste Management

“…Even if a few studies carried out a large identification approach for microorganisms with molecular biology (quantitative PCR) (Le Goff et al, 2010;Pankhurst L.J. et al, 2012) or mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) (Madsen et al, 2016;Nasir et al, 2018a), or investigated specific antigens with enzyme immunoassays (van Kampen et al 2014), data in most studies do not reflect the variety of different species. New biomolecular technologies such as next-generation DNA sequencing can help in informing on the microbial diversity and the relative abundance of airborne microorganisms and in identifying indicators for monitoring bioaerosols emission (Duquenne et al, 2018).…”

“…The highest levels of exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi have been reported at composting sites and mechanical biological treatment (MBT) facilities (Pearson et al, 2015;Persoons et al, 2010;Schlosser et al, 2009;Searl, 2008;Sykes et al, 2011;Tolvanen and Hänninen, 2005;Wouters et al, 2006) , followed by material recovery facilities (MRFs) and during waste collection operation (Cerna et al, 2017;Gladding and Coggins, 1997;Lavoie et al, 2002;Madsen et al, 2016;Neumann et al, 2002;Nielsen et al, 1995;Schlosser et al, 2015;Würtz and Breum, 1997) (Figure 1). These exposure levels were 100 to 100,000 times higher than highest outdoor background levels.…”