Bioaerosol

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

The bioaerosols emitted from toilet and wastewater treatment plant: a literature review

Abstract: The aerosols harboring microorganisms and viruses released from the wastewater system into the air have greatly threatened the health and safety of human beings. The wastewater systems, including toilet and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), are the major locations of epidemic infections due to the extensive sources of aerosols, as well as multifarious germs and microorganisms. Viruses and microorganisms may transport from both toilet and hospital into municipal pipes and subsequently into WWTP, which accounts for the main source of bioaerosols dispersed in the air of the wastewater system. This review aims to elaborate the generation, transmission, and diffusion processes of bioaerosols at toilet and WWTP. Moreover, the main factors affecting bioaerosol transmission and the corresponding prevention strategies for the airborne and inhaled bioaerosols are also discussed. Collectively, this review highlights the importance of managing bioaerosol occurrence in the wastewater system, which has aroused increasing concern from the public.

Bioaerosol Concentration at an Outdoor Composting Center.

Abstract: Compost centers are one of many environments that produce airborne microorganisms. The objective of this study was to compare the bacterial, fungal, and acti-nomycete concentrations at the Norman, OK, compost center to background concentration of these same microorganisms. For this comparison, a modified Andersen Microbial Sampler was used. Sampling was performed at three sites at the outdoor compost center and at two background sites. The concentration of each microorganism was measured as total colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3). The predominantly downwind compost center site had a 10-fold increase in all the microorganisms in comparison with the other sites (p < 0.05). The median concentrations (95% confidence interval) of total viable bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes at this site were 5059 (CI95= 4952-9600) CFU/m3, 2023 (CI95= 2586-6806) CFU/m3, 972 (CI95= 964-1943) CFU/m3, and 2159 (CI95= 1755-4190) CFU/m3, respectively.

Analysis of Culturable Bacterial and Fungal Aerosol Diversity Obtained Using Different Samplers and Culturing Methods

Abstract: In this study, biological collection efficiencies and culturable bacterial and fungal aerosol diversities were investigated when different bioaerosol sampling tools and culturing methods were applied. The samplers included Reuter centrifugal sampler (RCS) High Flow, BioSampler, electrostatic sampler, gelatin filter, BioStage impactor, mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filter as well as gravitational settling methods. For culturable bacterial aerosol diversity, the colony-forming units (CFUs) were washed off from the agar plates, and further went through polymerase chain reaction- and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE). For culturable fungal aerosol diversity, microscopic identification method was applied. In general, the BioStage impactor, MCE filter, and the BioSampler remained robust when sampling culturable bioaerosols. The PCR–DGGE study revealed that the use of different samplers and culturing methods resulted in different culturable bioaerosol diversity. For indoor bacterial aerosols, the ...

Use of a Foam Spatula for Sampling Surfaces after Bioaerosol Deposition

Abstract: The present study had three goals: (i) to evaluate the relative quantities of aerosolized Bacillus atrophaeus spores deposited on the vertical, horizontal top, and horizontal bottom surfaces in a chamber; (ii) to assess the relative recoveries of the aerosolized spores from glass and stainless steel surfaces with a polyester swab and a macrofoam sponge wipe; and (iii) to estimate the relative recovery efficiencies of aerosolized B. atrophaeus spores and Pantoea agglomerans using a foam spatula at several different bacterial loads by aerosol distribution on glass surfaces. The majority of spores were collected from the bottom horizontal surface regardless of which swab type and extraction protocol were used. Swabbing with a macrofoam sponge wipe was more efficient in recovering spores from surfaces contaminated with high bioaerosol concentrations than swabbing with a polyester swab. B. atrophaeus spores and P. agglomerans culturable cells were detected on glass surfaces using foam spatulas when the theoretical surface bacterial loads were 2.88 × 104 CFU and 8.09 × 106 CFU per 100-cm2 area, respectively. The median recovery efficiency from the surfaces using foam spatulas was equal to 9.9% for B. atrophaeus spores when the recovery was calculated relative to the theoretical surface spore load. Using a foam spatula permits reliable sampling of spores on the bioaerosol-exposed surfaces in a wide measuring range. The culturable P. agglomerans cells were recovered with a median efficiency of 0.001%, but staining the swab extracts with fluorescent dyes allowed us to observe that the viable cell numbers were higher by 1.83 log units than culturable organisms. However, additional work is needed to improve the analysis of the foam extracts in order to decrease the limit of detection of Bacillus spores and Gram-negative bacteria on contaminated surfaces.