Assessing waste collectors' exposure to bioaerosols

摘要

Published studies on household waste collectors' exposure to airborne biological agents (bioaerosols) do not indicate high exposures to these agents. However, these studies did not consider several factors. The objective of this study was to characterize the exposure of waste collectors to bioaerosols and to propose solutions to control exposures to these agents. Personal exposures of waste collectors to bioaerosols (total bacteria, endotoxins and molds) were measured for seven types of collection during the summer, which represents the worst conditions. The effect of truck cleaning was also evaluated. Mean concentrations of bacteria were all in the order of 10~3-10~4 CFU/m~3 of air. The intervention threshold was exceeded for endotoxins during the collection of compost once every two weeks in the country. Mean concentrations varied from 8.5 to 100 endotoxin units per cubic meter of air (EU/m~3). Measured mean concentrations of molds were between 8,300 and 98,170 CFU/m~3 of air. Also, the cleaning of an empty garbage truck does not improve the quality of the air. On the other hand, a dirty track is not a major source of bioaerosols. The sources of these bioaerosols are leachate, particularly if the waste in the truck is of organic origin, as well as the garbage pails that contain this waste. Unnecessary exposures to these sources should therefore be avoided. For bioaerosols, stringent personal hygiene measures remain one of the best means of prevention.