Abstract
This paper describes an exploratory study of endotoxin emissions and dispersal from a commercial composting facility. Replicated samples of air were taken by filtration at different locations around the facility on 10 occasions. Measurements were made of endotoxin and associated culturable microorganisms. The inflammatory response of cell cultures exposed to extracts from the filters was measured. Endotoxin was detected in elevated concentrations close to composting activities. A secondary peak, of lesser magnitude than the peak at source was detected at 100-150 m downwind of the site boundary. Unexpectedly high concentrations of endotoxin were measured at the most distant downwind sampling point. Extracted endotoxin was found to stimulate human monocytes and a human lung epithelial cell line to produce significant amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On a weight basis, endotoxin extracted from the composting source has a greater inflammatory cytokine inducing effect than commercial E. coli endotoxin.
Highlights
The commercial composting industry in the United Kingdom (UK) has grown rapidly in response to the requirements of the Landfill Directive (EC/31/99). 0.06 million tonnes were composted in 1994 rising to nearly 2 million tonnes in 2004 [1]. 82% of the waste composted in 2003/04 was processed using open windrow technology which has limited control over emissions to the air [1]
Whilst some progress has been made in the quantification of emissions and downwind dispersal of culturable microorganisms from composting facilities [7] relatively little is known about the concentrations in outdoor air of cell constituents such as endotoxin generated by composting
Endotoxin is the biologically active lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that is a major constituent of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB)
Summary
The commercial composting industry in the United Kingdom (UK) has grown rapidly in response to the requirements of the Landfill Directive (EC/31/99). 0.06 million tonnes were composted in 1994 rising to nearly 2 million tonnes in 2004 [1]. 82% of the waste composted in 2003/. Whilst some progress has been made in the quantification of emissions and downwind dispersal of culturable microorganisms from composting facilities [7] relatively little is known about the concentrations in outdoor air of cell constituents such as endotoxin generated by composting. There have been several studies of occupational exposures and the health of workers in composting facilities These have shown significant increases in airway and skin diseases than in controls. To assess the potential for the environmental endotoxin to induce inflammatory responses, extracted endotoxin solutions were added to cultures of human airway epithelial and monocyte cells. The inflammatory response of cell cultures exposed to extracts from the filters containing endotoxin was used as a preliminary step towards assessing the health significance of endotoxin release to the environment
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