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Background Water damage in buildings has been associated with reports of upper airway inflammation among occupants. Methods This survey included a questionnaire, allergen skin testing, nasal nitric oxide, and nasal lavage on 153 participants. We conducted exposure assessments of 297 workstations and analyzed collected dust for fungi, endotoxin, and (1 → 3)-β- D-glucan to create floor-specific averages. Results Males had higher levels of nasal inflammatory markers, and females reported more symptoms. ECP, IL-8, and MPO were significantly associated with nasal symptoms, flu-like achiness, or chills. Fungi and glucan were positively associated with blowing out thick mucus. Endotoxin was significantly associated with ECP in overall models, and with ECP, IL-8, MPO, and neutrophils among non-atopic females. Conclusions In this study, we documented an association between endotoxin and nasal inflammatory markers among office workers. The results of our study suggest that a non-allergic response may contribute to symptoms occurring among occupants in this water-damaged building. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:522-530, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe an outbreak of sudden health problems in workers at a Danish grass seed plant after exposure to a particularly dusty lot of grass seeds. The seeds are called problematic seeds. The association between development of organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) and the handling of grass seeds causing exposure was assessed in a four-step model: (i) identification of exposure source, (ii) characterization of the emission of bioaerosols from the problematic and reference seeds, (iii) personal and stationary exposure measurement at the plant and (iv) repeated health examinations. The grass seeds were identified as the exposure source; the emissions of some bioaerosol components were up to 107 times higher from the problematic seeds than from reference seeds. Cleaning of the seeds was not enough to sufficiently reduce the high emission from the problematic seeds. Emission in terms of dust was 3.4 times as high from the problematic cleaned seeds as from cleaned reference seeds. The personal exposure reached 3 × 105 endotoxin units m−3, 1 × 106 colony-forming units (cfu) of thermophilic actinomycetes m−3, 8 × 105 cfu of Aspergillus fumigatus m−3 and 9 × 106 hyphal fragments m−3. Several workers working with the problematic seeds had symptoms consistent with ODTS. The most severe symptoms were found for the workers performing the tasks causing highest exposure. Respiratory airway protection proved efficient to avoid development of ODTS. Work with reference seeds did not cause workers to develop ODTS. Exposure was during work with the problematic seeds higher than suggested occupational exposure limits but lower than in studies where researchers for some minutes have repeated a single task expected to cause ODTS. In this study, many different bioaerosol components were measured during a whole working day. We cannot know, whether it is the combination of different bioaerosol components or a single component which is responsible for the development of ODTS. In conclusion, workers developed specific health symptoms due to the high bioaerosol exposure and were diagnosed with ODTS. Exposure to high concentrations of endotoxin, actinomycetes, fungi, hyphal fragments, β-glucan, and A. fumigatus occurred when working with a dusty lot of grass seed. Suspicion should be elicited by seeds stored without being properly dried and by seeds producing more dust than usually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of this study was to design and execute a pilot study to collect information on the personal exposure levels of podiatrists to microbial hazards in podiatry clinics and also to assess health and safety knowledge within the sector using a questionnaire survey. Methods A self-report quantitative questionnaire dealing with health and safety/health issues was issued to 250 podiatrist clinics. Fifteen podiatry clinics were randomly recruited to participate in the exposure study. Concentrations of airborne bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and moulds were assessed using a six-stage viable microbial cascade impactor. Personal samples of total inhalable dust and endotoxin were measured in the breathing zone of the podiatrist. Results A questionnaire response rate of 42% (N = 101) was achieved. Thirty-two per cent of respondents indicated that they had a respiratory condition; asthma was the most prevalent condition reported. The most frequently employed control measures reported were use of disposable gloves during patient treatments (73.3%), use of respiratory protective equipment (34.6%), use of protective aprons (16.8%), and eye protection (15.8%). A total of 15.8% of respondents used mechanical room ventilation, 47.5% used nail drills with local exhaust ventilation systems, and 11% used nail drills with water spray dust suppression. The geometric mean concentrations of bacteria, Staphylococci, fungi, and yeasts/moulds were 590, 190, 422, and 59 CFU m−3, respectively. The geometric mean endotoxin exposure was 9.6 EU m−3. A significant percentage of all the bioaerosols that were in the respirable fraction was representative of yeasts and moulds (65%) and Fungi (87%). Conclusions Even if statistical analysis of data is limited by low sample numbers, this study showed that the frequency of cleaning and use of RPE varied between clinics sampled, and it is likely that refresher health and safety training focusing on health and safety hazards inherent in podiatry work and practical control measures is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic waste workers are exposed to high endotoxin levels that may result in respiratory health effects. This study describes changes in lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness over a workweek in household organic waste loaders. Assessment of lung function and methacholine airway responsiveness before and after a workweek in six organic waste loaders with and ten loaders without regular respiratory symptoms. Methacholine responsiveness was expressed as dose–response slope, i.e. % fall in FEV1 per mg methacholine compared to either the post-saline value (DRSsal), or the highest FEV1 (DRSmax). Monday morning, FEV1 was similar in cases and controls. Over the workweek, FEV1 and MMEF decreased slightly in both cases and controls ( P > 0.10). In contrast, DRS increased in cases and decreased in control subjects ( P < 0.10). The difference in % change of DRS was statistically significant after adjustment for smoking and age. Our results suggest exaggeration of pre-existent airway inflammation during the workweek in organic waste loaders with regular respiratory symptoms. This needs confirmation in larger studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preventive workplace regulations are so far not based on an ubiquitously accepted threshold for airborne endotoxin in the bioaerosol. In a cross-sectional study, 150 employees of a cotton spinning mill underwent lung function testing. Furthermore, in a random subset of 75 textile workers cross-shift lung function test and methacholine challenges were performed. Airborne current endotoxin exposure was classified as “low”, “medium”, and “high” (≤100, >100–≤450, and >450 Endotoxin Units (EU)/m3, respectively) based on endotoxin activity. The exposure–response relationship between current endotoxin exposure and prevalence of an obstructive ventilation pattern was significant (test for linear trend: P = 0.019); the adjusted odds ratio for high endotoxin exposure was 11.22 (95% confidence interval 1.03–121.17). Within individuals, FEV1/FVC% was significantly reduced after the shift (paired t test: P = 0.009) but not related to current endotoxin exposure. Twelve workers showed bronchial hyperresponsiveness (8.1% before and 12.2% after the work shift; Fisher’s exact test: P = 0.021). The study among German cotton textile workers suggests an exposure-dependent effect of current endotoxin exposure on lung function impairment with significant effects above 450 EU/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conceptual approach including measurements of materials at rest (step 1), measurements using a large rotating drum (step 2) or a Particle-FLEC (step 2) and measurements at a workplace (step 4) has been used to characterize the release of microbial components (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, endotoxin or enzymes) and particles from straw, wood chips or fungal cultures of different ages on gypsum boards. Repeated agitation or handling periods were included in step 2 and step 4. There was a low similarity between the amount of microbial components measured in step 1 and the aerosolized amount (step 2) from gypsum boards, wood chips and straw. Ratios between some microbial components measured at the workplace (step 4) and measured in step 2, showed similarities. Less than 1.3% of the total amount of microorganisms and endotoxin becomes airborne during 5 min of agitation of straw or wood chips. Most microbial components were released at higher rates during the first agitation period than during the following periods. However, differences were seen between different microbial components, and endotoxin from straw was released at the same rate in two successive agitation periods. Fungal particles smaller than spores were released from fungal colonized gypsum boards at amounts that were up to 30 times higher in the first agitation period compared with that in the following period, while fungal spores were released at amounts that were five times as high in the first period compared with that in the following period. In addition to differences between microbial components, the release patterns of microbial components were different for wood chips and straw. The time for maximum particle release to half particle release was longer for straw than for wood chips. The observation that some components, e.g. endotoxin, are released at the same rate in two successive handling steps, and that others (e.g. fungi) are mainly released initially, shows that the exposure period to different components from the same material differs in duration. The observed differences in the release patterns of different components and the differences between materials are important when preventive steps are to be taken, and it stresses the importance of applying a relevant sampling time and period in exposure assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the past decade, we studied occupational bioaerosol exposures in various sites of the waste management chain. In this paper we present an overview of exposure levels of inhalable dust, endotoxin, β(1→3)-glucan (known or probable inducers of airways inflammation), and extracellular polysaccharide antigens of Aspergillus and Penicillium species (EPS-Pen/Asp; a common and probably more specific marker of fungal exposure). Methods: Over 450 personal bioaerosol samples were taken. Mixed regression analyses were performed to estimate exposure determinants, between- and within-worker variance of exposure, and determinants of these variances. Furthermore, we explored whether the type of waste affected the bioaerosol composition of the dust. Results: Endotoxin and glucan exposure levels were relatively low and comparable for waste collection and transferral, green waste composting and use of biomass in power plants. Exposure levels were 5–20 times higher in domestic waste transferral with sorting, and composting of both domestic and domestic and green waste (∼300–1000 EU m−3 for endotoxin, and 5–10 μg m−3 for glucan). Observed exposure exceeded Dutch occupational exposure limits at all sites. EPS-Pen/Asp exposure was detected in 20% of waste collectors and 49% of compost workers. Exposure variability within tasks was large (geometric standard deviation > 2), with smaller between-worker than within-worker variance. Type of company and waste largely explained between-worker variance (40–90%), although within companies no major task-related determinants could be established. Markers of exposure correlated moderately to strongly. Relative endotoxin and glucan content in the dust was only weakly associated with handled waste. Conclusions: Occupational bioaerosol exposure in the waste management chain is lowest for outdoor handling of waste and highest when waste is handled indoors. However, exposure variability is large, with greater within-worker than between-worker variance. Occupational exposure limits for organic dust and endotoxins are frequently exceeded, suggesting workers are at risk of developing adverse health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to organic dust originating from biofuels can cause adverse health effects. In the present study we have assessed the dustiness in terms of microbial components and particles of various biofuels by using a rotating drum as a dust generator. Microbial components from straw, wood chips, wood pellets and wood briquettes were quantified by several methods. Excellent correlations (r ≥ 0.85, P < 0.0001) were found: between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (as determined by 3-hydroxy fatty acid analysis) and endotoxin (as determined by a Limulus test), cultivable bacteria, total number of bacteria and muramic acid; between endotoxin and cultivable bacteria, total number of bacteria and muramic acid; between total number of bacteria and muramic acid; between cultivable fungi and total number of fungi. Straw was dustier than the other biofuels in terms of actinomycetes, bacteria, muramic acid, endotoxin, LPS, particle mass and number of particles. One of the wood chips studied and the straws had comparatively high dustiness in terms of fungi, while both wood pellets and wood briquettes had comparatively low dustiness in terms of all microbial components. An initially high particle generation rate of straw and wood chips decreased over time whereas the particle generation rate of wood briquettes and wood pellets increased during a 5 min rotation period. Particles of non-microbial origin may be the determining factor for the health risk in handling briquettes and pellets. Straw dust contained significantly more microorganisms per particle than did wood chip dust, probably because bacteria were most abundant in straw dust. The concentrations of endotoxin and fungi were high in wood and straw dust; dust from one of the straws contained 3610 EU/mg and dust from one of the chips contained 7.3 × 106 fungal spores/mg. An exposure to 3 mg of straw or wood chips dust/m3 (the Swedish and Danish OEL of unspecific inhalable dust) could cause exposures to endotoxin and fungi higher than levels were health symptoms are seen to develop. The very different levels of dustiness in terms of particles and microbial components of different biofuels shows that dustiness is an important health-relevant factor to consider when choosing among biofuels and when designing worksites for handling of biofuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global population increases, coupled with intensive animal and livestock production practices, have resulted in the generation, accumulation, and disposal of large amounts of wastes around the world. Aerosolization of microbial pathogens, endotoxins, odors, and dust particles is an inevitable consequence of the generation and handling of waste material. Bioaerosols can be a source of microbial pathogens, endotoxins, and other allergens. Given the close proximity of population centers to concentrated animal-rearing operations and municipal treatment facilities in many parts of the world, there is concern regarding the occupational and public health impacts associated with the exposure to bioaerosols from municipal and animal wastes. Major advances have been made in our understanding of bioaerosol characteristics, identifying the hazards, and identifying possible human and animal health links with aerosolized pathogens and allergens. However, significant knowledge and technology gaps still exist. These include a lack of clear understanding of the fate and transport of bioaerosols, especially within the open environment, an inability to accurately predict the health risks associated with bioaerosolized pathogens, and a lack of standardized bioaerosol sampling protocols, and efficient samplers. This review synthesizes the information related to bioaerosols and addresses the contemporary issues associated with bioaerosols from municipal and animal wastes, with a focus on pathogens.Key words: bioaerosols, pathogens, biosolids, animal wastes, health risks.Les pratiques d'élevage massif d`animaux et de bétail et l'augmentation de la population ont eu plusieurs conséquences au niveau mondial comme la production, l'accumulation et le rejet des quantités importantes de déchets. La production et la manipulation de ces rebus a des conséquences environnementales inévitables comme la formation d'aérosols microbiens et la dispersion d'endotoxines, d'odeurs et de poussière. La production de bioaérosols peut devenir une source de dissémination de microorganismes pathogènes, d'endotoxines et d'autres allergènes. En tenant compte de la proximité de la population humaine avec des élevages concentrés d'animaux et des procédés de traitement dans plusieurs régions du monde, cela suscite des inquiétudes d'ordre professionnel et de santé publique reliées à l'exposition aux bioaérosols générés par les déchets municipaux et animaux. Des progrès importants ont été accomplis dans la connaissance des propriétés des bioaérosols et cela a permis d'identifier des pathogènes et des allergènes des bioaérosols provenant des animaux et de mieux connaître les risques sur la santé humaine. Par contre nous manquons encore de connaissances significatives et nous sommes confrontés à des problèmes technologiques. Nous ne possédons pas de connaissances précises sur le destin et le transport des bioaérosols spécialement dans un environnement naturel et nous n'avons pas les moyens pour prédire les risques de santé reliés aux bioaérosols pathogènes et nous manquons de protocoles standardisés pour l'échantillonnage des bioaérosols pour obtenir des échantillons significatifs. La présente revue constitue une synthèse de l'information reliée aux bioaérosols et présente les inquiétudes actuelles des conséquences des microorganismes pathogènes des bioaérosols générés par les déchets municipaux et animaux. Mots clés : bioaérosols, pathogènes, biosolides, déchets animaux, risques pour la santé.[Traduit par la Rédaction] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the dry waste treatment plant in Finland. Noise level; Concentrations of endotoxins; Incubation temperatures and times for airborne bioaerosols; Size distribution of the airborne particles.

Background: Collection, separation, and composting of household waste generates organic dusts that may contain the inflammagenic agent endotoxin and (1→3)-ß-D-glucan, a cell wall component of fungi, plants and certain bacteria. In previous studies, waste collectors have reported a greater number of or more severe symptoms in the summer. To further elucidate whether a seasonal variation in exposure could support previous findings of the presence of symptoms during summer months, a study was performed to assess exposures to airborne (1→3)-ß-D-glucan and endotoxin during different seasons among household waste collectors handling compostable waste. Methods: Measurements were made of the amounts of airborne (1→3)-ß-D-glucan and endotoxin using personal sampler equipment in two household waste collectors handling compostable waste. Measurements were made every second week from September 1998 to January 2000. Results: The amounts of airborne endotoxin were low during the study period. The amount of airborne (1→3)-ß-D-glucan was higher during the warm season, and there was a relationship between exposure levels of (1→3)-ß-D-glucan and outdoor temperature. Conclusions: The results suggest that household waste collectors handling compostable waste can be exposed to airborne (1→3)-ß-D-glucan, especially during the warm season, when more symptoms have been reported among waste collectors, according to previous studies. This cannot be interpreted as a causal relationship as household waste may contain several agents that could cause effects. Further studies are needed to explore such relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Organic dust contains several different components which may cause pulmonary effects, and many health problems have been associated with the collection and recycling of organic waste. It is often difficult to obtain a precise measurement of the exposure to each component in dust, and organic dust samples obtained from different workplaces may vary profoundly in composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory potential of dust from different waste handling plants. Furthermore, we set out to investigate the role of endotoxin in the inflammatory potential of dust. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Focuses on the measurement of seasonal variations in waste collectors' exposure to microorganisms, endotoxin and dust. Types of storage systems used for the measurement; Microorganisms for which these seasonal variations were observed; Possible impact of a high volume of percolate generated in biowaste on the health of waste collectors.

Recent Danish studies on waste collectors' bioaerosol exposure are summarized. Generally the median exposure levels ranged from 105 to 106 cells m−3 (total microorganisms), 104 to 105 cfu m−3 (culturable fungi) and 103 to 104 cfu m−3 (culturable bacteria). The type of waste was a governing factor for exposure. Garden waste collectors frequently experienced concentrations exceeding 105 cfu m−3 for mesophilic fungi and 104 cfu m−3 for the thermophilic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, Workers collecting compostable, mixed and sorted waste occasionally experienced similar concentrations of the fungal groups while workers collecting ‘bulky waste’ and paper had low exposure. Type of collection vehicle was identified as another governing factor for exposure. Vehicles loaded from the top (approximately 3 m above the ground) caused lower exposure (by a factor of 25) to fungi than vehicles loaded at the level or the breathing zone of the workers. Exposure was also affected by season of the year—the concentration of total microorganisms, culturable fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus and endotoxin was low in winter. Exposure to total microorganisms counted by microscopy was found to have a fairly high validity (Va) as an indicator of exposure to culturable fungi (Va = 1·45) or culturable bacteria (Va = 1·25). Likewise, dust may also be used as an indicator of exposure to total microorganisms (Va = 1·36), culturable fungi (Va = 1·31) and culturable bacteria (Va = 1·35). © 1997 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Source separated biowaste was stored in containers at temperatures ranging from 16 deg. C to 29 deg. C in a climate chamber for two weeks, simulating outdoor storage in a domestic waste collection system. Samples of exuded percolate were collected after 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days and analyzed for content of microorganisms and endotoxin. Throughout the storage period, the mean concentrations (GM) of total microorganisms ranged from 5.0 to 12 x 109 cells ml-1 and concentrations of endotoxin were between 0.54 and 1.5 x 106 EU ml-1 (45 to 130 Mug ml-1). The maximum levels of microorganisms and endotoxin in the percolate were stable during storage and no significant difference was found between storage times of one or two weeks, which corresponds to common Danishcollection frequencies of biowaste. Analyses of the microflora indicated dominance of bacteria as demonstrated by almost equal concentrations obtained by aerobic and anaerobic cultivation (2.8 to 9.0 x 108 and 3.1 to 12 x 108 cfu ml-1, respectively). Yeasts formed a minor part of the microflora (below 0.5% of the total number of microorganisms) and molds were only detected sporadically at concentrations close to the limit of detection. For percolate keeping a pH below 5 during the first week of storage, a tendency (p = 0.08) was observed towards lower concentrations of aerobic Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts as compared to percolate exceeding a pH of 5. In two weeks, a mass of 17 kg of biowaste exuded approximately 1.31 of percolate (range: 0.7 to 2.1 1), and handling experiments demonstrated that bioaerosols generated from splashing percolate may cause exposure risks of endotoxin and microorganisms. Bioaerosols above stored biowaste contained fungal spores up to 1.8 x 104 cfu m-3 but no detectable bacteria and endotoxin. Headspace measurements of gases showed maximum emission of hydrogen sulfide an [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]