Endotoxin emissions from commercial composting activities.
This paper describes an exploratory study of endotoxin emissions and dispersal from a commercial composting facility. Replicated samples of air were taken by filtration at different locations around the facility on 10 occasions. Measurements were made of endotoxin and associated culturable microorganisms. The inflammatory response of cell cultures exposed to extracts from the filters was measured. Endotoxin was detected in elevated concentrations close to composting activities. A secondary peak, of lesser magnitude than the peak at source was detected at 100-150 m downwind of the site boundary. Unexpectedly high concentrations of endotoxin were measured at the most distant downwind sampling point. Extracted endotoxin was found to stimulate human monocytes and a human lung epithelial cell line to produce significant amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On a weight basis, endotoxin extracted from the composting source has a greater inflammatory cytokine inducing effect than commercial E. coli endotoxin.
Deacon
Lewis
L
Mouchel, London, UK. Lewis.deacon@mouchel.com
Pankhurst
Louise
L
Liu
Jian
J
Drew
Gillian H
GH
Hayes
Enda T
ET
Jackson
Simon
S
Longhurst
James
J
Longhurst
Philip
P
Pollard
Simon
S
Tyrrel
Sean
S
D000391:Air Microbiology; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D006113:United Kingdom
D000393:Air Pollutants; D016207:Cytokines; D004731:Endotoxins; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants