Bioaerosol

About: Bioaerosol is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1347 publications have been published within this topic receiving 34791 citations.

Assessment of air quality in Dammam slaughter houses, Saudi Arabia -

Abstract: Background: Air pollution, both indoor and outdoor, is often considered as one of the major causes of environmental health problems. Usually, air in slaughterhouses is heavily contaminated by large quantities of dust particles of biological and nonbiological origin, toxic gases, and odors. However, the quality of indoor air in slaughterhouses was rarely investigated. Objective: To evaluate the slaughterhouse indoor environment parameters such as particulate, toxic gases, and bioaerosol levels. Materials and Methods: Indoor and outdoor air quality parameters CO, O3, CO2, VOCs, PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 were measured using references calibrated air sampling devices. Microbial air samples were taken using Staplex air sampler. To assess indoor air quality in Dammam slaughterhouse, air samples were taken from two different laboratories. Result: All mean levels of CO2 inside all slaughterhouse laboratories were higher than their AQG value, which is recommended by the World Health Organization and in Europe. Indeed, the average levels of NO2 and CO were lower than their AQGs. However, the mean levels of SO2 and VOCs were significantly exceeding the air quality guidelines. Bioaerosols examination using Staplex air sampler indicated that limited number of bacterial and fungal strains contaminate slaughterhouse air in the two laboratories. In comparison with laboratory A, the 44.2% reduction in total viable bacterial count, as compared with laboratory B, reflected the better hygienic standards followed in this new laboratory. Colony count remains constant after 5 and 10 min with approximately 25 CFU/m3 near director’s offices due to limited working activities. Conclusion: Location of slaughterhouse close to second industrial city of Dammam was significantly having serious impact up on indoor and outdoor air quality data. Indeed, slaughterhouses environment should be controlled for bioaerosol production and bacterial contaminations through good and efficient ventilation system.

Microbiological Aerosol, Particulate Matter Concentrations and Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus spp. in the Premises of Poland’s Oldest Agricultural School

Abstract: Bioaerosol, particulate matter concentration and antibiotic resistance of airborne Staphylococcus was assessed in animal and public premises (classroom, sports hall, horse stable, cowshed, newborn calf shed and outdoor background control site) of Poland’s oldest agricultural school. The concentration and size distribution of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and staphylococci were assessed with a six stage Andersen impactor. Particulate matter (PM10, PM4, PM2.5 and PM1) was determined using the DustTrak aerosol monitor. The Staphylococcus species were determined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and antimicrobial resistance was assessed using disk diffusion. Bioaerosol concentrations differed significantly between sampling points, with the highest levels of all microorganisms occurring in the newborn calf shed. The proportion of respirable fraction exceeded 60% in all sites, indicating potential harmfulness to exposed people. Mean concentrations of particulate matter were the smallest in school rooms and the highest in the newborn calf shed. Neither particulate matter nor microbial aerosol exceeded threshold values for workplaces. Among thirty-four isolated staphylococcal strains, S. equorum (35%), S. succinus (26%) and S. xylosus (15%) were the most prevalent. Resistance to macrolides (erythromycin) and lincosamides (clindamycin) was the most frequent. One strain was methicillin-resistant. Farm animals are significant sources of bioaerosol and therefore attention should be paid with respect to maintaining appropriate sanitary conditions and hygiene of premises and animals.

An improved wetted-wall bioaerosol sampling cyclone

Abstract: An Improved Wetted-Wall Bioaerosol Sampling Cyclone. (August 2005) Manpreet Singh Phull, B.Tech., IIT Madras, India Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Andrew R. McFarland A modified wetted-wall cyclone using different methods of water injection techniques upstream of the inlet was designed as an improvement to a wetted-wall cyclone developed by White, which uses liquid injection through a port on the wall of the cyclone inlet. The new cyclone has a high aerosol sampling flow rate (1250 L/min) and maintains constant cut-point with the modified White-type cyclone along with greater collection efficiency, lower time response, and reduced pressure drop. The final air-blast atomizer cyclone (AAC2.1a) design considered has an aerosol-tohydrosol collection efficiency cut-point of 1.3 μm with collection efficiencies at 1 and 2 μm of 39.9% and 86%, respectively. The efficiency reported for the modified White-type cyclone for particle sizes of 1 and 2 μm was 40.5% and 76.3%, respectively, under no water bypass conditions. The aerosol-to-aerosol transmission efficiency for the AAC2.1a configuration was found to be approximately 53.7% for 1 μm diameter particles as compared with 67.2% for the modified White-type cyclone. Dry and wet time response tests were performed in which the modified White-type cyclone had an initial response of 2.5 minutes for a wet start and 1 minute for a dry start for a condition where there was no liquid carryover through the cyclone outlet. The rise time for AAC2.1a cyclone under dry and wet start conditions was 0.5 minutes and 1.3 minutes, respectively. The decay response of the modified White-type cyclone was 1.1 minutes for a

Poultry slaughtering plants: concentrations of microbial aerosols in poultry slaughtering and processing plants.

Abstract: Concentrations of airborne microorganisms were measured at four poultry slaughtering plants during four one-day visits using Anderson single- and six-stage viable particle (bioaerosol) samplers. Nonselective bioaerosols including total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, and yeasts and molds were measured at approximately 40 sites in and around each plant. Bioaerosol concentrations were highest in shackling and defeathering areas and decreased with product flow through the plant until they approached outside levels in packaging areas. Bioaerosols exhibited a lognormal particle size distribution, with a count median diameter of 4.26 ± 0.19 m (n = 59) for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, and 4.17 ± 0.33 m (n = 33) for yeasts and molds. Selected bacteria were speciated from some samples taken during each visit. Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureas spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Lactobacilli were detected on 47% (n = 188), 54% (n = 92), 18% (n = 208), 31% (n = 206), and 89% (n = 100) of the samples, respectively. Some of the detections occurred in areas of the plant where meat was exposed following the chilling process.