title: Microbiological Contamination at Workplaces in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Station Processing Plant Biomass.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the microbial contamination at a plant biomass processing thermal power station (CHP). We found 2.42 × 10³ CFU/m³ of bacteria and 1.37 × 10⁴ CFU/m³ of fungi in the air; 2.30 × 10⁷ CFU/g of bacteria and 4.46 × 10⁵ CFU/g of fungi in the biomass; and 1.61 × 10² CFU/cm² bacteria and 2.39 × 10¹ CFU/cm² fungi in filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). Using culture methods, we found 8 genera of mesophilic bacteria and 7 of fungi in the air; 10 genera each of bacteria and fungi in the biomass; and 2 and 5, respectively, on the FFRs. Metagenomic analysis (Illumina MiSeq) revealed the presence of 46 bacterial and 5 fungal genera on the FFRs, including potential pathogensCandida tropicalis,Escherichia coli,Prevotellasp.,Aspergillussp.,Penicilliumsp.). The ability of microorganisms to create a biofilm on the FFRs was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also identified secondary metabolites in the biomass and FFRs, including fumigaclavines, quinocitrinines, sterigmatocistin, and 3-nitropropionic acid, which may be toxic to humans. Due to the presence of potential pathogens and mycotoxins, the level of microbiological contamination at workplaces in CHPs should be monitored.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź 90-924, Poland. justyna.szulc@p.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szulc
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź 90-924, Poland. anna.otlewska@p.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Otlewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection, National Research Institute, Łódź 90-133, Poland. maokr@ciop.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okrasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection, National Research Institute, Łódź 90-133, Poland. kamaj@ciop.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Majchrzycka
authors.affiliation: Center for Analytical Chemistry, Department of Agrobiotechnology (IFA-Tulln), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Str. 20, Tulln, Vienna (BOKU) 3430, Austria. michael.sulyok@boku.ac.at.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sulyok
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Łódź 90-924, Poland. beata.gutarowska@p.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gutarowska
mesh_terms: D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018533:Biomass; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational
keywords: airborne dust; filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs); harmful biological agents; plant biomass; workplace bioaerosols