Bioaerosol generation at large-scale green waste composting plants.

摘要

The amount of Aspergillus fumigatus and total mesophilic bacteria generated at a typical green waste composting plant over one year of normal operation was monitored to determine the main activities generating bioaerosols and the levels of which site workers were exposed during normal plant activities. Tabulated data are given of the concentration of airborne microorganisms and meteorological conditions at different sampling locations during autumn 2001-spring 2002, and summer and autumn of 2002. Screening of mature composts and the movement of mature compost (piling and truck loading) caused an intermediate effect wherein there was a larger increase in mesophilic bacteria levels than in A. fumigatus. Piling and loading of mature compost did not involve vigorous movement of material and had relatively low levels of A. fumigatus compared to the other activities such as shredding or screening that required continuous movement of material. There is no dose-response information available for the effect of A. fumigatus on the health of the workers, but it has been proposed that the amount of total bacteria should not be over 5x103 or 104 cfu m3 for an 8-h working day..