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Viegas C, Peixoto C, Gomes B, Dias M, Cervantes R, Pena P, Slezakova K, Pereira MDC, Morais S, Carolino E, Twarużek M, Viegas S, Caetano LA. Assessment of Portuguese fitness centers: Bridging the knowledge gap on harmful microbial contamination with focus on fungi. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:123976. [PMID: 38657893 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The lack of knowledge regarding the extent of microbial contamination in Portuguese fitness centers (FC) puts attendees and athletes at risk for bioaerosol exposure. This study intends to characterize microbial contamination in Portuguese FC by passive sampling methods: electrostatic dust collectors (EDC) (N = 39), settled dust (N = 8), vacuum filters (N = 8), and used cleaning mops (N = 12). The obtained extracts were plated in selective culture media for fungi and bacteria. Filters, EDC, and mop samples' extracts were also screened for antifungal resistance and used for the molecular detection of the selected Aspergillus sections. The detection of mycotoxins was conducted using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) system and to determine the cytotoxicity of microbial contaminants recovered by passive sampling, HepG2 (human liver carcinoma) and A549 (human alveolar epithelial) cells were employed. The results reinforce the use of passive sampling methods to identify the most critical areas and identify environmental factors that influence microbial contamination, namely having a swimming pool. The cardio fitness area presented the highest median value of total bacteria (TSA: 9.69 × 102 CFU m-2.day-1) and Gram-negative bacteria (VRBA: 1.23 CFU m-2.day-1), while for fungi it was the open space area, with 1.86 × 101 CFU m-2.day-1. Aspergillus sp. was present in EDC and in filters used to collect settled dust. Reduced azole susceptibility was observed in filters and EDC (on ICZ and VCZ), and in mops (on ICZ). Fumonisin B2 was the only mycotoxin detected and it was present in all sampling matrixes except settled dust. High and moderate cytotoxicity was obtained, suggesting that A549 cells were more sensitive to samples' contaminants. The observed widespread of critical toxigenic fungal species with clinical relevance, such as Aspergillus section Fumigati, as well as Fumonisin B2 emphasizes the importance of frequent and effective cleaning procedures while using shared mops appeared as a vehicle of cross-contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Viegas
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Cátia Peixoto
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal; LEPABE-ALiCE, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Bianca Gomes
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal; CE3C-Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Dias
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Renata Cervantes
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pena
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Klara Slezakova
- LEPABE-ALiCE, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria do Carmo Pereira
- LEPABE-ALiCE, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simone Morais
- REQUIMTE-LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 431, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Carolino
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Magdalena Twarużek
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Liliana Aranha Caetano
- H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL - Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096, Lisbon, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.uLisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
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Ožegić O, Bedenić B, Sternak SL, Sviben M, Talapko J, Pažur I, Škrlec I, Segedi I, Meštrović T. Antimicrobial Resistance and Sports: The Scope of the Problem, Implications for Athletes' Health and Avenues for Collaborative Public Health Action. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:232. [PMID: 38534667 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global threat, leading to increased mortality and necessitating urgent action-however, its impact on athletes and the world of sports has hitherto been neglected. Sports environments (including athletic and aquatic) exhibit high levels of microbial contamination, potentially contributing to the spread of resistant microorganisms during physical activities. Moreover, the literature suggests that travel for sports events may lead to changes in athletes' gut microbiomes and potentially impact their antibiotic resistance profiles, raising questions about the broader implications for individual and public/global health. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) among athletes (particularly those engaged in contact or collision sports) ranges between 22.4% and 68.6%, with MRSA strains being isolated in up to 34.9% of tested individuals. Factors such as training frequency, equipment sharing, delayed post-training showers, and a history of certain medical conditions are linked to higher colonization rates. Moreover, MRSA outbreaks have been documented in sports teams previously, highlighting the importance of implementing preventive measures and hygiene protocols in athletic settings. In light of the growing threat of AMR, there is a critical need for evidence-based treatment guidelines tailored to athletes' unique physiological demands to ensure responsible antibiotic use and mitigate potential health risks. While various initiatives-such as incorporating AMR awareness into major sporting events-aim to leverage the broad audience of sports to communicate the importance of addressing AMR, proactive measures (including improved AMR surveillance during large sporting events) will be indispensable for enhancing preparedness and safeguarding both athletes' and the general public's health. This narrative review thoroughly assesses the existing literature on AMR and antibiotic usage in the context of sports, aiming to illuminate areas where information may be lacking and underscoring the significance of promoting global awareness about AMR through sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ognjen Ožegić
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Medicine and Pain Management, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branka Bedenić
- Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- BIMIS-Biomedical Research Center Šalata, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sunčanica Ljubin Sternak
- Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Teaching Institute of Public Health "Dr Andrija Štampar", 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mario Sviben
- Medical Microbiology Department, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Parasitology Department, Microbiology Service, Croatian National Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasminka Talapko
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Iva Pažur
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Medicine and Pain Management, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Škrlec
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivan Segedi
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Meštrović
- University Centre Varaždin, University North, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department for Health Metrics Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Hu Z, Tian X, Lai R, Ji C, Li X. Airborne transmission of common swine viruses. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:50. [PMID: 37908005 PMCID: PMC10619269 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00346-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmission of viral aerosols poses a vulnerable aspect in the biosecurity measures aimed at preventing and controlling swine virus in pig production. Consequently, comprehending and mitigating the spread of aerosols holds paramount significance for the overall well-being of pig populations. This paper offers a comprehensive review of transmission characteristics, influential factors and preventive strategies of common swine viral aerosols. Firstly, certain viruses such as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), influenza A viruses (IAV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV) have the potential to be transmitted over long distances (exceeding 150 m) through aerosols, thereby posing a substantial risk primarily to inter-farm transmission. Additionally, other viruses like classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV) can be transmitted over short distances (ranging from 0 to 150 m) through aerosols, posing a threat primarily to intra-farm transmission. Secondly, various significant factors, including aerosol particle sizes, viral strains, the host sensitivity to viruses, weather conditions, geographical conditions, as well as environmental conditions, exert a considerable influence on the transmission of viral aerosols. Researches on these factors serve as a foundation for the development of strategies to combat viral aerosol transmission in pig farms. Finally, we propose several preventive and control strategies that can be implemented in pig farms, primarily encompassing the implementation of early warning models, viral aerosol detection, and air pretreatment. This comprehensive review aims to provide a valuable reference for the formulation of efficient measures targeted at mitigating the transmission of viral aerosols among swine populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Hu
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Pig and Poultry Healthy Breeding and Disease Diagnosis Technology, Xiajin New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd, Xiajin Economic Development Zone, Qingwo Venture Park, Dezhou, 253200, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd, No. 592-26 Jiushui East Road Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology Co., Ltd (NHLH Academy of Swine Research), 6596 Dongfanghong East Road, Yuanqiao Town, Dezhou, 253000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- China Agriculture Research System-Yangling Comprehensive Test Station, Intersection of Changqing Road and Park Road 1, Yangling District, Xianyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaogang Tian
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Pig and Poultry Healthy Breeding and Disease Diagnosis Technology, Xiajin New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd, Xiajin Economic Development Zone, Qingwo Venture Park, Dezhou, 253200, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd, No. 592-26 Jiushui East Road Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology Co., Ltd (NHLH Academy of Swine Research), 6596 Dongfanghong East Road, Yuanqiao Town, Dezhou, 253000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ranran Lai
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Pig and Poultry Healthy Breeding and Disease Diagnosis Technology, Xiajin New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd, Xiajin Economic Development Zone, Qingwo Venture Park, Dezhou, 253200, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd, No. 592-26 Jiushui East Road Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, Shandong, People's Republic of China
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology Co., Ltd (NHLH Academy of Swine Research), 6596 Dongfanghong East Road, Yuanqiao Town, Dezhou, 253000, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chongxing Ji
- Key Laboratory of Feed and Livestock and Poultry Products Quality and Safety Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd, 316 Jinshi Road, Chengdu, 610100, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd, No. 592-26 Jiushui East Road Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Li
- Shandong Engineering Laboratory of Pig and Poultry Healthy Breeding and Disease Diagnosis Technology, Xiajin New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd, Xiajin Economic Development Zone, Qingwo Venture Park, Dezhou, 253200, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Feed and Livestock and Poultry Products Quality and Safety Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd, 316 Jinshi Road, Chengdu, 610100, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd, No. 592-26 Jiushui East Road Laoshan District, Qingdao, 266100, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Technology Co., Ltd (NHLH Academy of Swine Research), 6596 Dongfanghong East Road, Yuanqiao Town, Dezhou, 253000, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
- China Agriculture Research System-Yangling Comprehensive Test Station, Intersection of Changqing Road and Park Road 1, Yangling District, Xianyang, People's Republic of China.
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Szulc J, Okrasa M, Ryngajłło M, Pielech-Przybylska K, Gutarowska B. Markers of Chemical and Microbiological Contamination of the Air in the Sport Centers. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083560. [PMID: 37110794 PMCID: PMC10144153 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the markers of chemical and microbiological contamination of the air at sport centers (e.g., the fitness center in Poland) including the determination of particulate matter, CO2, formaldehyde (DustTrak™ DRX Aerosol Monitor; Multi-functional Air Quality Detector), volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration (headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), the number of microorganisms in the air (culture methods), and microbial biodiversity (high-throughput sequencing on the Illumina platform). Additionally the number of microorganisms and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (PCR) on the surfaces was determined. Total particle concentration varied between 0.0445 mg m-3 and 0.0841 mg m-3 with the dominance (99.65-99.99%) of the PM2.5 fraction. The CO2 concentration ranged from 800 ppm to 2198 ppm, while the formaldehyde concentration was from 0.005 mg/m3 to 0.049 mg m-3. A total of 84 VOCs were identified in the air collected from the gym. Phenol, D-limonene, toluene, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol dominated in the air at the tested facilities. The average daily number of bacteria was 7.17 × 102 CFU m-3-1.68 × 103 CFU m-3, while the number of fungi was 3.03 × 103 CFU m-3-7.34 × 103 CFU m-3. In total, 422 genera of bacteria and 408 genera of fungi representing 21 and 11 phyla, respectively, were detected in the gym. The most abundant bacteria and fungi (>1%) that belonged to the second and third groups of health hazards were: Escherichia-Shigella, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. In addition, other species that may be allergenic (Epicoccum) or infectious (Acinetobacter, Sphingomonas, Sporobolomyces) were present in the air. Moreover, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected on surfaces in the gym. The monitoring proposal for the assessment of the air quality at a sport center includes the following markers: total particle concentration with the PM2.5 fraction, CO2 concentration, VOCs (phenol, toluene, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol), and the number of bacteria and fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Szulc
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-530 Łódź, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Okrasa
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, 90-133 Łódź, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Ryngajłło
- Institute of Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-573 Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Beata Gutarowska
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, 90-530 Łódź, Poland
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Andersson M(A, Vornanen-Winqvist C, Koivisto T, Varga A, Mikkola R, Kredics L, Salonen H. Composition of Culturable Microorganisms in Dusts Collected from Sport Facilities in Finland during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020339. [PMID: 36839611 PMCID: PMC9963892 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sport facilities represent extreme indoor environments due to intense cleaning and disinfection. The aim of this study was to describe the composition of the cultivated microbiota in dust samples collected in sport facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. A dust sample is defined as the airborne dust sedimented on 0.02 m2 within 28 d. The results show that the microbial viable counts in samples of airborne dust (n = 9) collected from seven Finnish sport facilities during the pandemic contained a high proportion of pathogenic filamentous fungi and a low proportion of bacteria. The microbial viable counts were between 14 CFU and 189 CFU per dust sample. In seven samples from sport facilities, 20-85% of the microbial viable counts were fungi. Out of 123 fungal colonies, 47 colonies belonged to the potentially pathogenic sections of Aspergillus (Sections Fumigati, Nigri, and Flavi). Representatives of each section were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger and A. tubingensis. Six colonies belonged to the genus Paecilomyces. In six samples of dust, a high proportion (50-100%) of the total fungal viable counts consisted of these potentially pathogenic fungi. A total of 70 isolates were considered less likely to be pathogenic, and were identified as Aspergillus section Nidulantes, Chaetomium cochliodes and Penicillium sp. In the rural (n = 2) and urban (n = 7) control dust samples, the microbial viable counts were >2000 CFU and between 44 CFU and 215 CFU, respectively, and consisted mainly of bacteria. The low proportion of bacteria and the high proportion of stress tolerant, potentially pathogenic fungi in the dust samples from sport facilities may reflect the influence of disinfection on microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria (Aino) Andersson
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-405-508-934
| | - Camilla Vornanen-Winqvist
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - Tuomas Koivisto
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - András Varga
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Raimo Mikkola
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
| | - László Kredics
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Heidi Salonen
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, P.O. Box 12100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Faculty of Science, School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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Szulc J, Cichowicz R, Gutarowski M, Okrasa M, Gutarowska B. Assessment of Dust, Chemical, Microbiological Pollutions and Microclimatic Parameters of Indoor Air in Sports Facilities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1551. [PMID: 36674305 PMCID: PMC9865041 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the quality of indoor air in sport facilities in one of the sport centres in Poland with respect to microclimatic parameters (temperature, humidity, and air flow velocity), particulate matter concentrations (PM10, PM4, PM2.5, and PM1), gas concentrations (oxygen, ozone, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and benzopyrene), and microbial contamination (the total number of bacteria, specifically staphylococci, including Staphylococcus aureus, haemolytic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, actinomycetes, and the total number of fungi and xerophilic fungi). Measurements were made three times in May 2022 at 28 sampling points in 5 different sporting areas (the climbing wall, swimming pool, swimming pool changing room, and basketball and badminton courts) depending on the time of day (morning or afternoon) and on the outside building. The obtained results were compared with the standards for air quality in sports facilities. The air temperature (21−31 °C) was at the upper limit of thermal comfort, while the air humidity (RH < 40%) in the sports halls in most of the locations was below demanded values. The values for dust pollution in all rooms, except the swimming pool, exceeded the permissible limits, especially in the afternoons. Climatic conditions correlated with a high concentration of dust in the indoor air. Particulate matter concentrations of all fractions exceeded the WHO guidelines in all researched premises; the largest exceedances of standards occurred for PM2.5 (five-fold) and for PM10 (two-fold). There were no exceedances of gaseous pollutant concentrations in the air, except for benzopyrene, which resulted from the influence of the outside air. The total number of bacteria (5.1 × 101−2.0 × 104 CFU m−3) and fungi (3.0 × 101−3.75 × 102 CFU m−3) was exceeded in the changing room and the climbing wall hall. An increased number of staphylococci in the afternoon was associated with a large number of people training. The increased concentration of xerophilic fungi in the air correlated with the high dust content and low air humidity. Along with the increase in the number of users in the afternoon and their activities, the concentration of dust (several times) and microorganisms (1−2 log) in the air increased by several times and 1−2 log, respectively. The present study indicates which air quality parameters should be monitored and provides guidelines on how to increase the comfort of those who practice sports and work in sports facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Szulc
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 171/173, 90-530 Łódź, Poland
| | - Robert Cichowicz
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Al. Politechniki 6, 90-924 Łódź, Poland
| | - Michał Gutarowski
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Al. Politechniki 6, 90-924 Łódź, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Okrasa
- Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Central Institute for Labour Protection—National Research Institute, 90-133 Łódź, Poland
| | - Beata Gutarowska
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 171/173, 90-530 Łódź, Poland
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Gu Y, Zhong K, Cao R, Yang Z. Aqueous lithium chloride solution as a non-toxic bactericidal and fungicidal disinfectant for air-conditioning systems: Efficacy and mechanism. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113112. [PMID: 35346655 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Airborne pathogenic bacteria and fungi transmitted through air-conditioning (AC) systems have been identified as a major public health risk. Air scrubbing is a promising liquid-based air disinfection technique that captures and inactivates airborne pathogens in liquid disinfectants. However, owing to the drawbacks of irritating odor and toxicity, the commonly-used chemical disinfectants cannot be employed for AC systems. This study aimed to unveil the inactivation performance and mechanism of non-toxic and chemically stable aqueous lithium chloride (LiCl) solution-the popular liquid desiccant in the AC systems-as a user-friendly disinfectant. Four prominent airborne pathogenic bacteria and fungi were exposed to the LiCl solution under various conditions. The inactivation effects were quantified with fluorescence-staining-based confocal microscopy and verified with the pathogens' membrane integrity variations, intracellular substance leakage, and morphological changes. Results showed that LiCl solution was remarkably efficient in inactivating the pathogens within 60 min, with an efficacy of 35.2-96.2%. The solution's inactivation ability was promoted by increasing the temperatures and concentrations; however, it appeared insensitive to exposure time over 30 min. We then explored the inactivation mechanism of LiCl solution by assessing cellular protein leakages and compared the inactivation rates with those of NaCl solution. The extracellular protein increased by over 470% after being exposed to LiCl solution. The inactivation rate was also considerably higher than in NaCl solution under the same osmotic pressure (24.79 MPa). We suggest that apart from osmotic pressure, the inactivation is reinforced by Li+-specific properties, including its strong water attraction that deprived the solvation shells of microbial protein and caused protein denaturation. We propose that aqueous LiCl solution may act as a user-friendly disinfectant for air-scrubbing due to its attractive characteristics, including its non-toxicity, odorless nature, and chemical stability. These findings may open up a "green" way to disinfect airborne pathogens and safeguard public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqian Gu
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Donghua University, 201620, 2999, North Renmin Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Zhong
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Donghua University, 201620, 2999, North Renmin Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Cao
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
| | - Zili Yang
- Department of Civil Engineering, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Donghua University, 201620, 2999, North Renmin Road, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China.
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Yang JIL, Lee BG, Park J, Yeo M. Airborne fungal and bacterial microbiome in classrooms of elementary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Effects of school disinfection and other environmental factors. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13107. [PMID: 36168218 PMCID: PMC9538906 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the effects of environmental factors including disinfection on airborne microbiome during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, we evaluated indoor and outdoor air collected from 19 classrooms regularly disinfected. Extracted bacterial and fungal DNA samples were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq™ platform. Using bacterial DNA copy number concentrations from qPCR analysis, multiple linear regressions including environmental factors as predictors were performed. Microbial diversity and community composition were evaluated. Classrooms disinfected with spray ≤1 week before sampling had lower bacterial DNA concentration (3116 DNA copies/m3 ) than those >1 week (5003 copies/m3 ) (p-values = 0.06). The bacterial DNA copy number concentration increased with temperature and was higher in classrooms in coastal than inland cities (p-values <0.01). Bacterial diversity in outdoor air was higher in coastal than inland cities while outdoor fungal diversity was higher in inland than coastal cities. These outdoor microbiomes affected classroom microbial diversity but bacterial community composition at the genus level in occupied classrooms were similar between coastal and inland cities. Our findings emphasize that environmental conditions including disinfection, climate, and school location are important factors in shaping classroom microbiota. Yet, further research is needed to understand the effects of modified microbiome by disinfection on occupants' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun I. L. Yang
- Department of Applied Environmental ScienceGraduate School Kyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
| | - Bong Gu Lee
- Department of Applied Environmental ScienceGraduate School Kyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
| | - Ju‐Hyeong Park
- Respiratory Health DivisionNational Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Min‐Kyeong Yeo
- Department of Applied Environmental ScienceGraduate School Kyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of EngineeringKyung Hee UniversityYongin‐siKorea
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Caggiano G, Lopuzzo M, Spagnuolo V, Diella G, Triggiano F, D’Ambrosio M, Trerotoli P, Marcotrigiano V, Barbuti G, Sorrenti GT, Magarelli P, Sorrenti DP, Napoli C, Montagna MT. Investigations on the Efficacy of Ozone as an Environmental Sanitizer in Large Supermarkets. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050608. [PMID: 35631128 PMCID: PMC9147425 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Awareness of the importance of the microbial contamination of air and surfaces has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of bacteria and fungi in the air and on surfaces within some critical areas of large supermarkets with and without an ozonation system. Surveys were conducted in four supermarkets belonging to the same commercial chain of an Apulian city in June 2021, of which two (A and B) were equipped with an ozonation system, and two (C and D) did not have any air-diffused remediation treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in the total bacterial count (TBC) and total fungal count (TFC) in the air between A/B and C/D supermarkets (p = 0.0042 and p = 0.0002, respectively). Regarding surfaces, a statistically significant difference in TBC emerged between A/B and C/D supermarkets (p = 0.0101). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the effect of ozone on commercial structures in Italy. Future investigations, supported by a multidisciplinary approach, will make it possible to deepen the knowledge on this method of sanitation, in light of any other epidemic/pandemic waves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Caggiano
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)-80-5478-475
| | - Marco Lopuzzo
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Valentina Spagnuolo
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Giusy Diella
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Francesco Triggiano
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Marilena D’Ambrosio
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Paolo Trerotoli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Marcotrigiano
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Giovanna Barbuti
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (M.L.); (V.S.); (F.T.); (M.D.); (G.B.)
| | - Giovanni Trifone Sorrenti
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Pantaleo Magarelli
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Domenico Pio Sorrenti
- Department of Prevention, Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Local Health Unit BT, Barletta-Andria-Trani, 76125 Trani, Italy; (V.M.); (G.T.S.); (P.M.); (D.P.S.)
| | - Christian Napoli
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Teresa Montagna
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Hygiene Section, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy; (G.D.); (P.T.); (M.T.M.)
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