Ecological Chemistry and Engineering. A 

About: Ecological Chemistry and Engineering. A is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Soil contamination & Sludge. It has an ISSN identifier of 1898-6188. Over the lifetime, 943 publications have been published receiving 1715 citations.

Bioaerosols of the Municipal Waste Landfill Site as a Source of Microbiological Air Pollution and Health Hazard

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the composition of bacterial and fungal aerosol on the premises of the Municipal Waste Disposal Complex at Zolwin-Wypaleniska near Bydgoszcz and to evaluate the degree of microbiological air pollution at the appointed stands. Microbial concentration in the air was determined at the waste sorting station and in the active sector of the landfill site as well as in the point situated 200 m beyond the facility. It was found that the total number of bacteria in the air ranged from 10 to 10 cfu · m and many times strong air pollution occurred on the premises of that facility. High concentration level of actinomycetes and indicator bacteria Pseudomonas flourescens contributed also to strong or moderate air pollution at research stands 1 and 2. Potentially pathogenic bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae (such as bacilli of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli) as well as faecal streptococci occurred in the largest amounts also at stands 1 and 2, and their number reached up to 10 cfu · m. The obtained values show that both the sorting station the active sector of the waste landfill are serious emission sources of dangerous bacterial aerosol. They can pose a health hazard to the workers staying at those workstands. The determined amounts of fungal aerosol prove that it did not pose a microbiological hazard, and the studied air was described as moderately clean throughout the research period, only in the area of the sorting station it was polluted at several times. Among the isolated fungi, species of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium predominated, as well as Sclerotinia sclerotorum. However, also potentially pathogenic species were detected in the studied air, such as: Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarium, Alternaria alternata etc. Their presence may affect the health of people (workers of the facility and residents of neighbouring areas) and the risk of the environmental pollution, since those species are well-known for their production of mycotoxins and inducing allergic reactions. Based on the registered concentrations of bacteria and fungi at the point 200 m away from the facility, it should be assumed that the studied air was not polluted and bioaerosol transmission from the sources of emission to the surrounding areas did not occur.

Potential Risk to Consumers Related with Occurrence of Pesticide Residues in Early Vegetables

Abstract: In years 2009–2011 Laboratory of Pesticide Residue Analysis from March to June carried out research on 96 samples of early vegetables. In 35 tested samples were detected pesticide residues. The aim of the study was to estimate long-term and short-term intake of pesticide residues in early vegetables in years 2009–2011 for toddlers and adults. The estimation of dietary exposure was based on pesticide residue data from research carried out by Laboratory of Pesticide Residue Analysis and was calculated using Pesticide Safety Directorate model. The highest long-term intake was for parsley leaves but did not exceed for adult 26.6 % ADI and for toddlers 17.3 % of the ADI. In case of consumption other early vegetables, long-term exposure in both age groups did not exceed 2.5 % ADI. The highest estimated values for short-term exposure were obtained for tomato, and in the group of toddlers it was 41.4 % ARfD, and in the adult group it was 10.4 % ARfD. In the remaining samples the short-term exposure did not exceed 5 % ARfD.

Investigations of Bio-Drying Process of Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract: Operation analysis of the mechanical-biological stabilization reactor was presented. Minicipal waste undergoes mechanical pretreatment and then the fraction 0–80 mm rich in organic matter is treated by oxidic method in the reactor. Results of investigations of raw MSW (0–80 mm) and stabilat (0–20 mm, 20–80 mm) which are the resulting material after the 7 days bio-drying processes, were discussed. The loss of ignition (LOI), humidity, pH, the amount of sulfur, chlorides, heavy metals and the biologically stable state are the main investigated parameters. To evaluate the material stabilization, the determination of the O2 uptake and CO2 production was measured. The results allowed to evaluate the work effectiveness of the industrial reactor constructed for MSW treatment. The experiments were led using an OXYMAX respirometer ER-10 (Columbus Instruments), an ion chromatograph 883 Basic IC plus, spectrometer with plasma ICP.