Abstract
Workers at composting facilities are exposed to organic dusts and bioaerosols. The bioaerosols of major concern are Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) and endotoxin. An evaluation of employee exposure to dust, endotoxin, and A. fumigatus spores was conducted in a totally enclosed biosolids composting facility that composts biosolids with sawdust. Total and respirable dust, endotoxin, and A. fumigatus were measured during several of the major composting activities. Periodic total dust levels exceeded the OSHA PEL standard for nonspecific dust. Endotoxin levels as high as 640 ng/m3 were recorded when piles were torn down. During mixing of biosolids and sawdust, A. fumigatus counts exceeded 6,000 CFU/m3. Based on the data obtained, several mitigation measures were implemented. Evaluation of the facility after the changes were made found that levels of total dust, endotoxin, and A. fumigatus were reduced by 90 percent.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.