Bioaerosol emissions in a poultry litter burning plant

Abstract

This study investigates the exposure of workers to biological particles in a poultry litter burning plant in operation. The microorganism concentrations were examined at different workplaces during procedures leading to increased emissions. The concentrations of culturable airborne mesophilic, xerophilic and thermophilic microorganisms in the ambient air were tested inside and outside of the burning plant using two different methods of measuring. The focus of this study was on the quantitative evaluation of culturable bacteria as well as the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of gram-negative bacteria, fungi and thermophilic actinomycetes. The maximum airborne concentrations were found in the delivery hall. Mesophilic bacteria concentrations reached up to 1.7 × 106 CFU/m3; gram-negative bacteria up to 9.1 × 102 CFU/m3. Fungal propagule concentrations for xerophilic fungi were between 1.2 × 103 and 2.9 × 104 CFU/m3 and for mesophilic fungi between 4.4 × 102 and 2.9 × 104 CFU/m3. Among fungi, Aspergillus niger, Eurotium herbariorum and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis species were dominant. Thermophilic actinomycetes reached airborne concentrations of 8.7 × 104 CFU/m3, with increased concentrations of the pathogens causing extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The high concentrations of airborne microorganisms in poultry litter burning plants and the potential hazard of the intake of microorganisms including potential pathogens require the introduction of consistent measures in both technical areas and personnel management.