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Gaetano AS, Semeraro S, Greco S, Greco E, Cain A, Perrone MG, Pallavicini A, Licen S, Fornasaro S, Barbieri P. Bioaerosol Sampling Devices and Pretreatment for Bacterial Characterization: Theoretical Differences and a Field Experience in a Wastewater Treatment Plant. Microorganisms 2024; 12:965. [PMID: 38792794 PMCID: PMC11124041 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050965] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies on bioaerosol bacterial biodiversity have relevance in both ecological and health contexts, and molecular methods, such as 16S rRNA gene-based barcoded sequencing, provide efficient tools for the analysis of airborne bacterial communities. Standardized methods for sampling and analysis of bioaerosol DNA are lacking, thus hampering the comparison of results from studies implementing different devices and procedures. Three samplers that use gelatin filtration, swirling aerosol collection, and condensation growth tubes for collecting bioaerosol at an aeration tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Trieste (Italy) were used to determine the bacterial biodiversity. Wastewater samples were collected directly from the untreated sewage to obtain a true representation of the microbiological community present in the plant. Different samplers and collection media provide an indication of the different grades of biodiversity, with condensation growth tubes and DNA/RNA shieldTM capturing the richer bacterial genera. Overall, in terms of relative abundance, the air samples have a lower number of bacterial genera (64 OTUs) than the wastewater ones (75 OTUs). Using the metabarcoding approach to aerosol samples, we provide the first preliminary step toward the understanding of a significant diversity between different air sampling systems, enabling the scientific community to orient research towards the most informative sampling strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Serena Gaetano
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Sabrina Semeraro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Samuele Greco
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Enrico Greco
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Cain
- ACEGAS APS AMGA S.p.a., Via degli Alti Forni, 11, 34121 Trieste, Italy;
| | | | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Sabina Licen
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
| | - Stefano Fornasaro
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
| | - Pierluigi Barbieri
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (A.S.G.); (S.S.); (E.G.); (S.L.); (S.F.)
- INSTM National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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2
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Nguyen D, Stults J, Devon J, Novak E, Lanza H, Choi Y, Lee L, Schaefer CE. Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from wastewater via aerosol capture. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133460. [PMID: 38211524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The widespread use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-containing products in numerous commercial and industrial applications has resulted in their occurrence in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Herein, proof-of-concept bench-scale experiments were performed to measure the extent to which PFAS could be removed from a WWTP if aerosols generated during aeration were captured. Experiments were designed to mimic the aeration rate:water volume ratio, the water volume:surface area ratio, and aeration bubble size applicable to the full-scale aeration vessel. Results showed that substantial (75%) removal of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was observed under these operating conditions in the bench-scale system; up to 97% PFOS removal was observed if the aeration rate was increased 3-fold. PFAS removal generally increased with increasing aerosol capture and with increasing PFAS surface activity. Analysis of semi-quantified PFAS showed that the semi-quantified PFAS accounted for approximately 93% of the identified PFAS in the raw wastewater, dominated largely by the presence of 2:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (2:2 FTCA). This preliminary study suggests that aerosol capture in aeration basins has potential for mitigating PFAS in WWTPs. Further testing is needed to assess the feasibility of this approach at the field scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Nguyen
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, #100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States.
| | - John Stults
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, #100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States
| | - Julie Devon
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, #100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States
| | - Eden Novak
- CDM Smith, 14432 SE Eastgate Way, #100, Bellevue, WA 98007, United States
| | - Heather Lanza
- CDM Smith, 555 17th Street, #500, Denver, CO 80202, United States
| | - Youn Choi
- Purdue University, Lilly Hall, 915 Mitch Daniels Blvd., West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Linda Lee
- Purdue University, Lilly Hall, 915 Mitch Daniels Blvd., West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Charles E Schaefer
- CDM Smith, 110 Fieldcrest Avenue, #8, 6th Floor, Edison, NJ 08837, United States
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Mohaimin AZ, Krishnamoorthy S, Shivanand P. A critical review on bioaerosols-dispersal of crop pathogenic microorganisms and their impact on crop yield. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:587-628. [PMID: 38001398 PMCID: PMC10920616 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01179-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioaerosols are potential sources of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause devastating outbreaks of global crop diseases. Various microorganisms, insects and viroids are known to cause severe crop diseases impeding global agro-economy. Such losses threaten global food security, as it is estimated that almost 821 million people are underfed due to global crisis in food production. It is estimated that global population would reach 10 billion by 2050. Hence, it is imperative to substantially increase global food production to about 60% more than the existing levels. To meet the increasing demand, it is essential to control crop diseases and increase yield. Better understanding of the dispersive nature of bioaerosols, seasonal variations, regional diversity and load would enable in formulating improved strategies to control disease severity, onset and spread. Further, insights on regional and global bioaerosol composition and dissemination would help in predicting and preventing endemic and epidemic outbreaks of crop diseases. Advanced knowledge of the factors influencing disease onset and progress, mechanism of pathogen attachment and penetration, dispersal of pathogens, life cycle and the mode of infection, aid the development and implementation of species-specific and region-specific preventive strategies to control crop diseases. Intriguingly, development of R gene-mediated resistant varieties has shown promising results in controlling crop diseases. Forthcoming studies on the development of an appropriately stacked R gene with a wide range of resistance to crop diseases would enable proper management and yield. The article reviews various aspects of pathogenic bioaerosols, pathogen invasion and infestation, crop diseases and yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Zul'Adly Mohaimin
- Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Bandar Seri Begawan, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Sarayu Krishnamoorthy
- Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Bandar Seri Begawan, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Pooja Shivanand
- Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Bandar Seri Begawan, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam.
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4
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Yang K, Yang L, Zhang S, Ba Y, Zhou G. The bioaerosols generated from the sludge treatment process: Bacterial and fungal variation characteristics, source tracking, and risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166193. [PMID: 37567309 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Bioaerosols generated from sludge treatment processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may spread infectious diseases. This study investigated the generation characteristics, source, and associated risks of bioaerosols produced during sludge treatment processes. The results showed that the concentration range of total suspended particles was 49 ± 3 to 354 ± 10 μg/m3, and the primary water-soluble ions in bioaerosols were NH4+, SO42- and Cl-. The bacterial concentration in bioaerosols was 50 ± 5 to 1296 ± 261 CFU/m3, with the highest concentration in the biochemical reaction tank. The dominant bacteria in bioaerosols included Bacteroides, Cetobacterium, Romboutsia, Lactobacillus and Turicibacter, while the dominant fungi were Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia and Aspergillus were detected in all treatment processes. The results of principal component analysis showed that the bacterial composition in bioaerosols was similar of different technological processes, while the fungal species composition was different. The dominant microbial composition of sludge and bioaerosols was relatively close. The Source Tracker results indicated that sludge was the main source of airborne bacteria in the sludge dewatering house, as well as the main source of airborne fungi in the plate-frame pressure filtration tank and the sloping plate sedimentation tank. The non-carcinogenic risk in each stage was low (1.22 × 10-9-3.99 × 10-2). However, Bugbase phenotype prediction results showed that the bioaerosols in the anaerobic sedimentation tank may have potential pathogenicity. Therefore, the management and control of bioaerosols from the sludge treatment should be strengthened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Wang
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Kai Yang
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Liying Yang
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Song Zhang
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Yue Ba
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Guoyu Zhou
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
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Durden L, Eckhoff K, Burdsall AC, Youn S, Andújar-Gonzalez C, Abu-Niaaj L, Magnuson M, Harper WF. Characterizing Bacillus globigii as a Bacillus anthracis surrogate for wastewater treatment studies and bioaerosol emissions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 9:3458-3466. [PMID: 38516331 PMCID: PMC10953809 DOI: 10.1039/d3ew00524k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
This study characterized Bacillus globigii (BG) as a Bacillus anthracis Sterne (BAS) surrogate for wastewater treatment-related studies of UV inactivation, adsorption onto powdered activated carbon (PAC), and bioaerosol emission. The inactivation of BG was faster than that of BAS in DI water (pseudo first-order rate constants of 0.065 and 0.016 min-1 respectively) and in PBS solution (0.030 and 0.005 min-1 respectively). BG was also removed more quickly than BAS by PAC adsorption in DI (0.07 and 0.05 min-1 respectively) and in PBS (0.09 and 0.04 min-1 respectively). In DI, BG aggregated more (P < 0.05) than BAS when the pH was 7 or greater but there were no statistically significant differences in NaCl solution. Spore aggregation was also studied with extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) models. Less than 1% of all spores were released as bioaerosols, and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in emission between BG and BAS. To the author's knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that BG is a suitable surrogate for BAS for bioaerosol emissions, but a poor surrogate for both UV inactivation and PAC adsorption. These results can be used to understand the ability of BAS to act as a surrogate for BA Ames because of its genetic and morphological similarities with BAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Durden
- Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Engineering Management Program, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA
| | - Kyle Eckhoff
- Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Engineering Management Program, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA
| | - Adam C Burdsall
- Water Infrastructure Protection Division, National Homeland Security Research Center, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Sungmin Youn
- Department of Civil Engineering, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA
| | - Cindy Andújar-Gonzalez
- Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Engineering Management Program, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA
| | - Lubna Abu-Niaaj
- Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthew Magnuson
- Water Infrastructure Protection Division, National Homeland Security Research Center, US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Willie F Harper
- Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Engineering Management Program, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA
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Cui B, An D, Li H, Luo X, Zhu H, Li M, Ai X, Ma J, Ali W, Yan C. Evaluating the threshold limit value of acceptable exposure concentration for exposure to bioaerosols in a wastewater treatment plant: Reverse-quantitative microbial risk assessment and sensitivity analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 452:130687. [PMID: 36989774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Agitation operations produce numerous pathogenic bioaerosols in WWTPs1. QMRA2 can determine risks of persons exposed to these bioaerosols. However, QMRA framework cannot help stakeholders in immediately deciding whether a risk is intolerable. Thus, evaluating threshold of acceptable exposure concentration is an urgent issue but is still rarely addressed in WWTPs. This study analyzed TLV3 benchmarks of E. coli and S. aureus bioaerosols emitted from a WWTP by reverse-QMRA. Furthermore, variance of input parameters was clarified by sensitivity analysis. Results showed that, under conservative and optimistic estimates, TLV of technicians was 1.52-2.06 and 1.26-1.68 times as large as those of workers, respectively; wearing mask drive TLV up to 1-2 orders of magnitude; TLV of M4 was at most 1.33 and 1.31 times as large as that of RD5, respectively. For sensitivity analysis, removal fraction by equipping PPE enlarge TLV for effortlessly obtaining an acceptable assessment result; exposure time was dominant when without PPE excepting the scenario of technicians exposed to E. coli bioaerosol. This study helps establish threshold guidelines for bioaerosols in WWTPs and contribute innovative perspectives for stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Cui
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Dongzi An
- China Construction Eco-Environmental Group Co., Ltd, Beijing 100037, PR China
| | - Haojun Li
- Yunnan Design Institute Group Co., Ltd, Kunming 650100, PR China
| | - Xi Luo
- Yangtze Ecology and Environment Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Hao Zhu
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Ming Li
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Xiaojun Ai
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Jiaxin Ma
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Wajid Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
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7
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Yan C, Zhao XY, Luo X, An DZ, Zhu H, Li M, Ai XJ, Ali W. Quantitative microbial risk assessment with nasal/oral breathing pattern for S. aureus bioaerosol emission from aeration tanks and residual sludge storage yard in a wastewater treatment plant. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:21252-21262. [PMID: 36269474 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23621-5] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A large number of pathogenic bioaerosols are generated during the treatment process of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and they can pose potential risks to human health. Therefore, this study systematically analyzed the emission characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosols released from an inverted umbrella aeration tank, a microporous aeration tank, and a residual sludge storage yard in a WWTP, and quantitatively evaluated the health risks of four kinds of exposed populations with nasal/oral breathing patterns under optimistic and conservative estimations. The results displayed that the bioaerosol concentration in inverted umbrella aeration tank was higher than that in microporous aeration tank and residual sludge storage yard. Aerosolization ratio in residual sludge storage yard was an order of magnitude lower than that in aeration tanks. Sludge workers were at higher health risks than the other three exposed populations. The health risks of nasal breathers (infection risk: 1.62 × 10-5-2.56 × 10-3 pppy; disease burden: 4.24 × 10-8-6.72 × 10-6 DALYs pppy) were 0.61-0.63 times higher than those of oral breathers (infection risk: 9.95 × 10-6-1.59 × 10-3 pppy; disease burden: 2.61 × 10-8-4.18 × 10-6 DALYs pppy). For female field engineers using oral breathing, laboratory technicians, and researchers without personal protective equipment (PPE), infection risk and disease burden had the opposite results, which indicated that satisfying one certain benchmark did not mean absolute safety. In addition, health risks of exposed populations were reduced by an order of magnitude after wearing PPE. This study can provide a reliable theoretical basis for the risk prevention of bioaerosols and supply data support for the strategies of health risk control perspectives for local sewage utilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhao
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Luo
- Yangtze Ecology and Environment Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430062, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Zi An
- China Construction Eco-Environmental Group Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100037, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhu
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430040, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Li
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430040, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Jun Ai
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430040, People's Republic of China
| | - Wajid Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
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Zhao XY, An DZ, Liu ML, Ma JX, Ali W, Zhu H, Li M, Ai XJ, Nasir ZA, Alcega SG, Coulon F, Yan C. Bioaerosols emission characteristics from wastewater treatment aeration tanks and associated health risk exposure assessment during autumn and winter. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158106. [PMID: 35987237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158106] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aeration tanks from activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can release a large amount of bioaerosols that can pose health risks. However, risk characterization of bioaerosols emissions form wastewater treatment plants is currently not systematically carried out and still in its infancy. Therefore, this study investigated emission characteristic of two indicator model bioaerosols Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, emitted from aeration tanks of a municipal WWTP. Monte Carlo simulation was then used to quantitatively assess microbial risk posed by different aeration modes under optimistic and conservative estimates. Further to this, two different exposure scenarios were considered during 3 days sampling campaign in autumn and winter. Results showed that the bioaerosol concentration from microporous aeration tank (20-262 CFU m-3) was one order of magnitude lower than rotating disc aeration tank. Average aerosolization rate was 7.5 times higher with mechanical aeration mode. Health risks of exposed populations were 0.4 and 9.6 times higher in winter than in autumn for E. coli and S. aureus bioaerosol, respectively. Health risks of staff members were 10 times higher than academic visitors. Interesting results were observed for academic visitors without personal protective equipment (PPE) respectively exposed to S. aureus and E. coli bioaerosol in autumn and winter: while the derived infection risk met the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) benchmark under optimistic estimation, the disease risk burden was over the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark under conservative estimation. These revealed that only satisfying one of the two benchmarks didn't mean absolute acceptable health risk. This study could facilitate the development of better understanding of bioaerosol quantitative assessment of risk characterizations and corresponding appropriate risk control strategies for wastewater utilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Zhao
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Dong-Zi An
- China Construction Eco-Environmental Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100037, PR China
| | - Man-Li Liu
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Hubei Water Resources Technical College, Wuhan 430202, PR China
| | - Jia-Xin Ma
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Wajid Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Hao Zhu
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Ming Li
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jun Ai
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430040, PR China
| | - Zaheer Ahmad Nasir
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Sonia Garcia Alcega
- School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK6 7AA, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
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9
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Tian J, Yan C, Alcega SG, Hassard F, Tyrrel S, Coulon F, Nasir ZA. Detection and characterization of bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants: Challenges and opportunities. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:958514. [PMID: 36439798 PMCID: PMC9684734 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.958514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid population growth and urbanization process have led to increasing demand for wastewater treatment capacity resulting in a non-negligible increase of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in several cities around the world. Bioaerosol emissions from WWTPs may pose adverse health risks to the sewage workers and nearby residents, which raises increasing public health concerns. However, there are still significant knowledge gaps on the interplay between process-based bioaerosol characteristics and exposures and the quantification of health risk which limit our ability to design effective risk assessment and management strategies. This review provides a critical overview of the existing knowledge of bioaerosol emissions from WWTPs including their nature, magnitude and size distribution, and highlights the shortcoming associated with existing sampling and analysis methods. The recent advancements made for rapid detection of bioaerosols are then discussed, especially the emerging real time detection methods to highlight the directions for future research needs to advance the knowledge on bioaerosol emissions from WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghan Tian
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Sonia Garcia Alcega
- School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Francis Hassard
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sean Tyrrel
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
| | - Zaheer Ahmad Nasir
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, United Kingdom
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Ma J, An D, Cui B, Liu M, Zhu H, Li M, Ai X, Ali W, Yan C. What are the disease burden and its sensitivity analysis of workers exposing to Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol during warm and cold periods in a wastewater treatment plant? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:82938-82947. [PMID: 35754082 PMCID: PMC9243853 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21447-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biological treatment in wastewater treatment plants releases high amounts of pathogenic bioaerosols. Quantitative microbial risk assessment is a framework commonly used for quantitative risk estimation for occupational exposure scenarios. However, the quantitative contributions of health-risk-estimate inputted parameters remain ambiguous. Therefore, this research aimed to study the disease burden of workers exposed to Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol during warm and cold periods and strictly quantify the contributions of the inputted parameters by sensitivity analysis on the basis of Monte Carlo simulation. Results showed that the disease health risk burden of workers in the warm period was 1.15-6.11 times higher than that of workers in the cold period. The disease health risk burden of workers without personal protective equipment was 23.83-36.55 times higher than that of workers with personal protective equipment. Sensitivity analysis showed that exposure concentration and aerosol ingestion rate were the first and second predominant factors, respectively; the sensitivity partitioning coefficient of the former was 1.17-1.35 times the value of the latter. In addition, no remarkable differences were revealed in the sensitivity percentage ratio between warm and cold periods. The findings could contribute to the mitigation measures for the management of public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Ma
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongzi An
- China Construction Eco-Environmental Group Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100037, People's Republic of China
| | - Beibei Cui
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Manli Liu
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, HuBei Water Resources Technical College, Wuhan, 430202, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Zhu
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan, 430040, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Li
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan, 430040, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Ai
- POWERCHINA Hubei Electric Engineering Co., Ltd, Wuhan, 430040, People's Republic of China
| | - Wajid Ali
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Yan
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental Water Science in the Yangtze River Basin, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Schupp DA, Burdsall AC, Silva RG, Heckman JL, Krishnan ER, Szabo JG, Magnuson M. Persistence of surrogates for high consequence viral and bacterial pathogens in a pilot-scale activated sludge treatment system. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275482. [PMID: 36206225 PMCID: PMC9543761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of high consequence public health pathogens in a wastewater treatment system can significantly impact worker safety, as well as the public and downstream water bodies, particularly if the system is forced to shut down the treatment processes. This study utilizes organism viability to compare the persistence of three pathogen surrogates in wastewater using a pilot-scale activated sludge treatment (AST) system, operated to mimic treatment processes of large-scale plants. Bacillus globigii spores, surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, persisted in the AST system for at least a 50-day observation period leading to a possible steady condition far beyond the solid retention time for sludge particles. MS2 bacteriophage, surrogate for Poliovirus and other non-enveloped enteric viruses, was observed for up to 35 days after introduction, which largely and expectedly correlated to the measured solid retention time. Phi-6 bacteriophage, a surrogate for Ebola virus and other enveloped viruses, was detected for no more than 4 days after introduction, even though the AST system was operated to provide three times slower solids removal than for the other surrogates. This suggests Phi-6 is subject to inactivation under AST conditions rather than physical removal. These results may suggest similar persistence for the surrogated pathogens, leading to appropriate consequence management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald A. Schupp
- APTIM Federal Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Adam C. Burdsall
- Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - John Lee Heckman
- APTIM Federal Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Jeffrey G. Szabo
- Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Matthew Magnuson
- Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
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12
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Kataki S, Patowary R, Chatterjee S, Vairale MG, Sharma S, Dwivedi SK, Kamboj DV. Bioaerosolization and pathogen transmission in wastewater treatment plants: Microbial composition, emission rate, factors affecting and control measures. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132180. [PMID: 34560498 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental consequences during wastewater management are vital and getting increased attention to interrupt any possible disease transmission pathways. Evidence of bioaerosolization of pathogen from wastewater to atmosphere during wastewater treatment have been highlighted previously. Understanding aerosol-based transmission in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is important because of the hazard it presents to the workers involved or to the population around and appears to be very significant during pandemic occurrences. This work aims to evaluate the possibility of pathogenic content of wastewater getting aerosolized during treatment by synthesizing the evidence on the potential aerosol generating treatment phases of WWTP, bioaerosol microbial composition, emission load and the factors affecting the bioaerosol formation. We also present some potential control strategies to take up in WWTP which may be useful to avoid such occurrences. Implementation of Aeration based strategies (use of diffused, submerged aeration, reduction in aeration rate), Improved ventilation based strategies (effective ventilation with adequate supply of clean air, minimizing air recirculation, supplementation with infection control measures such as filtration, irradiation), Improved protection based strategy (periodic monitoring of disinfection efficiency, pathogenic load of wastewater, improved operation policy) and other strategies (provision of buffer zone, wind shielding, water spraying on aerosol, screened surface of treatment units) could be very much relevant and significant in case of disease outbreak through aerosol formation in wastewater environment. Recent progress in sensor-based data collection, analysis, cloud-based storage, and early warning techniques in WWTP may help to reduce the risk of infectious transmission, especially during a pandemic situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampriti Kataki
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Rupam Patowary
- Foundation for Environmental and Economic Development Services, Manipur, India
| | - Soumya Chatterjee
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India.
| | - Mohan G Vairale
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Sonika Sharma
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Sanjai K Dwivedi
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
| | - Dev Vrat Kamboj
- Biodegradation Technology Division, Defence Research Laboratory, DRDO, Tezpur, Assam, India
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13
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Morgado-Gamero WB, Parody A, Medina J, Rodriguez-Villamizar LA, Agudelo-Castañeda D. Multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria in landfill bioaerosols: Environmental conditions and biological risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:118037. [PMID: 34482243 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118037] [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: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Landfills, as well as other waste management facilities are well-known bioaerosols sources. These places may foment antibiotic-resistance in bacterial bioaerosol (A.R.B.) due to inadequate pharmaceutical waste disposal. This issue may foster the necessity of using last-generation antibiotics with extra costs in the health care system, and deaths. The aim of this study was to reveal the multi-antibiotic resistant bacterial bioaerosol emitted by a sanitary landfill and the surrounding area. We evaluated the influence of environmental conditions in the occurrence of A.R.B. and biological risk assessment. Antibiotic resistance found in the bacteria aerosols was compared with the AWaRE consumption classification. We used the BIOGAVAL method to assess the workers' occupational exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacterial bioaerosols in the landfill. This study confirmed the multi-antibiotic resistant in bacterial bioaerosol in a landfill and in the surrounding area. Obtained mean concentrations of bacterial bioaerosols, as well as antibiotic-resistant in bacterial bioaerosol (A.R.B.), were high, especially for fine particles that may be a threat for human health. Results suggest the possible risk of antibiotic-resistance interchange between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species in the landfill facilities, thus promoting antibiotic multi-resistance genes spreading into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy B Morgado-Gamero
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58#55-66, Barranquilla, Colombia.
| | - Alexander Parody
- Engineering Faculty, Universidad Libre Barranquilla, Cra 46 No. 48-170, Barranquilla, Colombia.
| | - Jhorma Medina
- Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58#55-66, Barranquilla, Colombia.
| | | | - Dayana Agudelo-Castañeda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 via Puerto, Colombia.
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14
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Haji Ali B, Shahin MS, Masoumi Sangani MM, Faghihinezhad M, Baghdadi M. Wastewater aerosols produced during flushing toilets, WWTPs, and irrigation with reclaimed municipal wastewater as indirect exposure to SARS-CoV-2. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 9:106201. [PMID: 34405082 PMCID: PMC8361049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw and treated wastewater can open up a fresh perspective to waterborne and aerosolized wastewater as a new transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the current pandemic. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater aerosols formed during toilet flushing, plumbing failure, wastewater treatment plants, and municipal wastewater reuse for irrigation. Moreover, how these aerosols might increase the risk of exposure to this novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 RNA). This article supplies a review of the literature on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater, as well as the fate and stability of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. We also reviewed the existing literatures on generation and transmission of aerosolized wastewater through flush a toilet, house's plumbing networks, WWTPs, wastewater reuse for irrigation of agricultural areas. Finally, the article briefly studies the potential risk of infection with exposure to the fecal bioaerosols of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for the people who might be exposed through flushing toilets or faulty building plumbing systems, operators/workers in wastewater treatment plants, and workers of fields irrigated with treated wastewater - based on current knowledge. Although this review highlights the indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through wastewater aerosols, no research has yet clearly demonstrated the role of aerosolized wastewater in disease transmission regarding the continuation of this pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for additional studies on wastewater aerosols in transmission of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banafsheh Haji Ali
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohsen Faghihinezhad
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Baghdadi
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Nair AT. Bioaerosols in the landfill environment: an overview of microbial diversity and potential health hazards. AEROBIOLOGIA 2021; 37:185-203. [PMID: 33558785 PMCID: PMC7860158 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-021-09693-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Landfilling is one of the indispensable parts of solid waste management in various countries. Solid waste disposed of in landfill sites provides nutrients for the proliferation of pathogenic microbes which are aerosolized into the atmosphere due to the local meteorology and various waste disposal activities. Bioaerosols released from landfill sites can create health issues for employees and adjoining public. The present study offers an overview of the microbial diversity reported in the air samples collected from various landfill sites worldwide. This paper also discusses other aspects, including effect of meteorological conditions on the bioaerosol concentrations, sampling techniques, bioaerosol exposure and potential health impacts. Analysis of literature concluded that landfill air is dominated by microbial dust or various pathogenic microbes like Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Aspergillus fumigatus. The bioaerosols present in the landfill environment are of respirable sizes and can penetrate deep into lower respiratory systems and trigger respiratory symptoms and chronic pulmonary diseases. Most studies reported higher bioaerosol concentrations in spring and summer as higher temperature and relative humidity provide a favourable environment for survival and multiplication of microbes. Landfill workers involved in solid waste disposal activities are at the highest risk of exposure to these bioaerosols due to their proximity to solid waste and as they practise minimum personal safety and hygiene measures during working hours. Workers are recommended to use personal protective equipment and practise hygiene to reduce the impact of occupational exposure to bioaerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash T. Nair
- Department of Applied Sciences and Humanities, National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT), Hatia, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834003 India
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