Effects of Materials Recovery Facility Construction on the Release of Fungal Bioaerosols: A Case Study in Southern of Iran



Abbasi F¹ ; Samaei MR¹ ; Khodadadi H² ; Karimi A³ ; Hoshang M¹
Source: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin Published:2016

Abstract

When the wind blows, fungi are suspended in the air for a long time. Inhalation of fungal bioaerosols leads to various diseases and allergic responses in humans. In this study, fungi was sampled by Anderson single-stage compactor with flow of 28.3 L/min. Samples were collected from waste sorting, windrows, compost storage and in the distances of 30, 100, 250 m downwind and 100 m upwind of the wind. Sample plates were incubated at 37 and 45 °C. Then colonies were counted and analyzed. The highest concentration of fungus was in mesophilic phase at sorting (5355.42 CFU/m3). The predominant species was A.Niger (4010.14 CFU/m3). While in windrow the predominant species was A.fumigatus (1904.56 CFU/m3), concentration of thermophilic fungi at all points was less than 500 CFU/m3. According to results of this study, protection measures and separation at the source is required to reduce the burden of bioaerosols at sorting. © by PSP.