title: Fungal and microbial volatile organic compounds exposure assessment in a waste sorting plant.
abstract: In the management of solid waste, pollutants over a wide range are released with different routes of exposure for workers. The potential for synergism among the pollutants raises concerns about potential adverse health effects, and there are still many uncertainties involved in exposure assessment. In this study, conventional (culture-based) and molecular real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) methodologies were used to assess fungal air contamination in a waste-sorting plant which focused on the presence of three potential pathogenic/toxigenic fungal species: Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and Stachybotrys chartarum. In addition, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) were measured by photoionization detection. For all analysis, samplings were performed at five different workstations inside the facilities and also outdoors as a reference. Penicillium sp. were the most common species found at all plant locations. Pathogenic/toxigenic species (A. fumigatus and S. chartarum) were detected at two different workstations by RTPCR but not by culture-based techniques. MVOC concentration indoors ranged between 0 and 8.9 ppm (average 5.3 ± 3.16 ppm). Our results illustrated the advantage of combining both conventional and molecular methodologies in fungal exposure assessment. Together with MVOC analyses in indoor air, data obtained allow for a more precise evaluation of potential health risks associated with bioaerosol exposure. Consequently, with this knowledge, strategies may be developed for effective protection of the workers.
authors.affiliation: Higher School of Health Technology of Lisbon (ESTESL)/Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon (IPL), Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malta-Vacas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viegas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabino
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viegas
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D010407:Penicillium / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D011174:Portugal; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012498:Sanitary Engineering; D062611:Solid Waste / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D013191:Stachybotrys / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D052638:Particulate Matter; D062611:Solid Waste; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds