How Has the Hazard to Humans of Microorganisms Found in Atmospheric Aerosol in the South of Western Siberia Changed over 10 Years?

Alexandr Safatov,Sergei Olkin,Mikhail Panchenko,Irina Andreeva,Nadezda Solovyanova,Galina Buryak,Larisa Puchkova,Denis Simonenkov,Irina Reznikova,Olesia Ohlopkova,Boris Belan

doi:10.3390/ijerph17051651

Abstract

One of the most important components of atmospheric aerosols are microorganisms. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the hazard to humans, both from individual microorganisms which are present in atmospheric bioaerosols as well as from their pool. An approach for determining the hazard of bacteria and yeasts found in atmospheric bioaerosols for humans has previously been proposed. The purpose of this paper is to compare our results for 2006–2008 with the results of studies obtained in 2012–2016 to identify changes in the characteristics of bioaerosols occurring over a decade in the south of Western Siberia. Experimental data on the growth, morphological and biochemical properties of bacteria and yeasts were determined for each isolate found in bioaerosol samples. The integral indices of the hazards of bacteria and yeast for humans were constructed for each isolate based on experimentally determined isolate characteristics according to the approach developed by authors in 2008. Data analysis of two datasets showed that hazard to humans of culturable microorganisms in the atmospheric aerosol in the south of Western Siberia has not changed significantly for 10 years (trends are undistinguishable from zero with a confidence level of more than 95%) despite a noticeable decrease in the average annual number of culturable microorganisms per cubic meter (6–10 times for 10 years).

Highlights

IntroductionSome pollutants can be monitored, doses obtained by individuals may be calculated and the results of such exposure may be predicted if the “dose–effect” dependencies are known
Human exposure to air pollution is among major health problems
The method we developed allows us to assess the change in the hazard to humans of cultivated microorganisms located in atmospheric aerosols, and as a result, the influence of this factor, which undoubtedly affects the health of the population of the region

Summary

Introduction

Some pollutants can be monitored, doses obtained by individuals may be calculated and the results of such exposure may be predicted if the “dose–effect” dependencies are known. These dependencies are not known for most bioaerosols. The peculiarity of atmospheric bioaerosols is, besides the usual effects of aerosols on atmospheric processes and climate [5,6,7], the ability to cause or provoke various infectious or non-infectious diseases in humans [5,8,9,10,11,12]. Since microorganisms are usually hazardous to humans, it is important to be able to assess what this hazard is in each air sample.

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Conclusion