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Riesenberger B, Rodriguez M, Marques L, Cervantes R, Gomes B, Dias M, Pena P, Ribeiro E, Viegas C. Filling the Knowledge Gap Regarding Microbial Occupational Exposure Assessment in Waste Water Treatment Plants: A Scoping Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1144. [PMID: 38930526 PMCID: PMC11205677 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061144] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial in the scope of European Commission circular economy implementation. However, bioaerosol production may be a hazard for occupational and public health. A scoping review regarding microbial contamination exposure assessment in WWTPs was performed. METHODS This study was performed through PRISMA methodology in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. RESULTS 28 papers were selected for data extraction. The WWTPs' most common sampled sites are the aeration tank (42.86%), sludge dewatering basin (21.43%) and grit chamber. Air sampling is the preferred sampling technique and culture-based methods were the most frequently employed assays. Staphylococcus sp. (21.43%), Bacillus sp. (7.14%), Clostridium sp. (3.57%), Escherichia sp. (7.14%) and Legionella sp. (3.57%) were the most isolated bacteria and Aspergillus sp. (17.86%), Cladosporium sp. (10.71%) and Alternaria sp. (10.71%) dominated the fungal presence. CONCLUSIONS This study allowed the identification of the following needs: (a) common protocol from the field (sampling campaign) to the lab (assays to employ); (b) standardized contextual information to be retrieved allowing a proper risk control and management; (c) the selection of the most suitable microbial targets to serve as indicators of harmful microbial exposure. Filling these gaps with further studies will help to provide robust science to policy makers and stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Riesenberger
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Margarida Rodriguez
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Liliana Marques
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 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, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bianca Gomes
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 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, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, 1099-085 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, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Edna Ribeiro
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - 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, REAL, CCAL, NOVA University Lisbon, 1099-085 Lisbon, Portugal
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2
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Itarte M, Calvo M, Martínez-Frago L, Mejías-Molina C, Martínez-Puchol S, Girones R, Medema G, Bofill-Mas S, Rusiñol M. Assessing environmental exposure to viruses in wastewater treatment plant and swine farm scenarios with next-generation sequencing and occupational risk approaches. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114360. [PMID: 38555823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to pathogens can pose health risks. This study investigates the viral exposure of workers in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and a swine farm by analyzing aerosol and surfaces samples. Viral contamination was evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, and target enrichment sequencing (TES) was performed to identify the vertebrate viruses to which workers might be exposed. Additionally, Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was conducted to estimate the occupational risk associated with viral exposure for WWTP workers, choosing Human Adenovirus (HAdV) as the reference pathogen. In the swine farm, QMRA was performed as an extrapolation, considering a hypothetical zoonotic virus with characteristics similar to Porcine Adenovirus (PAdV). The modelled exposure routes included aerosol inhalation and oral ingestion through contaminated surfaces and hand-to-mouth contact. HAdV and PAdV were widespread viruses in the WWTP and the swine farm, respectively, by qPCR assays. TES identified human and other vertebrate viruses WWTP samples, including viruses from families such as Adenoviridae, Circoviridae, Orthoherpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, and Parvoviridae. In the swine farm, most of the identified vertebrate viruses were porcine viruses belonging to Adenoviridae, Astroviridae, Circoviridae, Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, Parvoviridae, Picornaviridae, and Retroviridae. QMRA analysis revealed noteworthy risks of viral infections for WWTP workers if safety measures are not taken. The probability of illness due to HAdV inhalation was higher in summer compared to winter, while the greatest risk from oral ingestion was observed in workspaces during winter. Swine farm QMRA simulation suggested a potential occupational risk in the case of exposure to a hypothetical zoonotic virus. This study provides valuable insights into WWTP and swine farm worker's occupational exposure to human and other vertebrate viruses. QMRA and NGS analyses conducted in this study will assist managers in making evidence-based decisions, facilitating the implementation of protection measures, and risk mitigation practices for workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Itarte
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Secció de Microbiologia, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Miquel Calvo
- Secció d'Estadística, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lola Martínez-Frago
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Secció de Microbiologia, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mejías-Molina
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Secció de Microbiologia, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Martínez-Puchol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Secció de Microbiologia, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosina Girones
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Secció de Microbiologia, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Sílvia Bofill-Mas
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Secció de Microbiologia, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Rusiñol
- Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food, Secció de Microbiologia, Departament de Genètica, Microbiologia i Estadística, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Stobnicka-Kupiec A, Gołofit-Szymczak M, Cyprowski M, Górny RL. Monitoring of enteropathogenic Gram-negative bacteria in wastewater treatment plants: a multimethod approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:37229-37244. [PMID: 38764088 PMCID: PMC11182840 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33675-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The wastewater treatment processes are associated with the emission of microbial aerosols, including enteropathogenic bacteria. Their presence in this work environment poses a real threat to the health of employees, both through the possibility of direct inhalation of the contaminated air and indirectly through the pollution of all types of surfaces with such bioaerosol particles. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria in the air, on surfaces, and in wastewater samples collected in four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The effectiveness of conventional culture-biochemical, as well as spectrometric and molecular methods for the rapid detection of enteropathogenic bacteria at workstations related to particular stages of wastewater processing, was also evaluated. Bioaerosol, surface swab, and influent and effluent samples were collected from wastewater plants employing mechanical-biological treatment technologies. The air samples were collected using MAS-100 NT impactor placed at a height of 1.5 m above the floor or ground, simulating aspiration from the human breathing zone. Surface samples were collected with sterile swabs from different surfaces (valves, handles, handrails, and coveyor belts) at workplaces. The raw influent and treated effluent wastewater samples were aseptically collected using sterile bottles. The identification of bacterial entheropathogens was simultaneously conducted using a culture-based method supplemented with biochemical (API) tests, mass-spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS), and molecular (multiplex real-time PCR) methods. This study confirmed the common presence of bacterial pathogens (including enteropathogenic and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Yersinia enterocolitica) in all air, surface, and wastewater samples at studied workplaces. Higher concentrations of enteropathogenic bacteria were observed in the air and on surfaces at workplaces where treatment processes were not hermetized. The results of this study underline that identification of enteropathogenic bacteria in WWTPs is of great importance for the correct risk assessment at workplaces. From the analytical point of view, the control of enteropathogenic bacterial air and surface pollution using rapid multiplex-PCR method should be routinely performed as a part of hygienic quality assessment in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Stobnicka-Kupiec
- Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, Czerniakowska Street 16, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Gołofit-Szymczak
- Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, Czerniakowska Street 16, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Cyprowski
- Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, Czerniakowska Street 16, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał L Górny
- Central Institute for Labour Protection-National Research Institute, Czerniakowska Street 16, Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Zhang X, Lu B, Chen G, Wang L, Lin B, Peng Z, Lu S, Li D, Chen J. Culturable and inhalable airborne bacteria in a semiunderground municipal wastewater treatment plant: Distribution, transmission, and health risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132234. [PMID: 37586239 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132234] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Airborne pathogens constitute a growing threat to global public health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important sources of airborne bacteria, which pose great health risks to the employee and nearby residents. In this study, the distribution, transmission and health risk of the airborne culturable and inhalable bacteria carried by PM2.5 in a semiunderground WWTP were evaluated. The concentrations of culturable bacteria in the air were 21.2-1431.1 CFU/m3, with the main contributions of primary and biological treatments. The relative abundances of culturable and total inhalable bacterial taxa were positively correlated (p < 0.05). However, certain bacteria, including Bacillus, Acinetobacter and Enterococcus, exhibited high reproductive capacity despite their low concentration in the air, suggesting that they can survive and regrow in suitable environments. Transmission modeling revealed that the concentrations of airborne bacteria exponentially decreased with distance from 18.67 to 24.12 copies /m3 at the source to 0.06-0.14 copies /m3 at 1000 m downwind. The risks of 8-h exposure in this WWTP except the outlet exceeded the reference value recommended by WHO, which were primarily dependent on P. aeruginosa, Salmonella, and E. coli. Management practices should consider improved controls for bioaerosols in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Bingjie Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Bingjie Lin
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhengliang Peng
- Shanghai Chengtou Sewage Treatment Co., LtD., Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Songliu Lu
- Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute, Shanghai 200335, China
| | - Dan Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Jianmin Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan Tyndall Centre, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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5
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Stobnicka-Kupiec A, Gołofit-Szymczak M, Cyprowski M, Górny RL. Detection and identification of potentially infectious gastrointestinal and respiratory viruses at workplaces of wastewater treatment plants with viability qPCR/RT-qPCR. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4517. [PMID: 35296727 PMCID: PMC8924946 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08452-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the prevalence of the most common respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in the air, surface swab, and influent/effluent samples collected in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Application of qPCR/RT-qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction/reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction) assays combined with PMA (propidium monoazide) dye pretreatment allowed detecting the potentially infectious and disintegrated viral particles in collected samples. In the air at workplaces in WWTPs, the most frequent isolation with the highest concentrations (reaching up to 103 gc/m3 of potentially infectious intact viral particles) were observed in case of adenoviruses (AdVs) and rotaviruses (RoVs), followed by noroviruses (NoVs). Viruses were significantly more often detected in the air samples collected with Coriolis μ impinger, than with MAS-100NT impactor. The temperature negatively (Spearman correlation: –1 < R < 0; p < 0.05), while RH (relative humidity) positively (0 < R < 1; p < 0.05) affected airborne concentrations of potentially infectious viral particles. In turn, the predominant viruses on studied surfaces were RoVs and noroviruses GII (NoV GII) with concentrations of potentially infectious virions up to 104 gc/100 cm2. In the cases of SARS-CoV-2 and presumptive SARS-CoV-2 or other coronaviruses, their concentrations reached up to 103 gc/100 cm2. The contamination level of steel surfaces in WWTPs was similar to this on plastic ones. This study revealed that the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses at workplaces in WWTPs is important for proper exposure assessment and needs to be included in risk management in occupational environment with high abundance of microbial pollutants derived from wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Stobnicka-Kupiec
- Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16 Street, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Gołofit-Szymczak
- Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16 Street, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Cyprowski
- Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16 Street, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał L Górny
- Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Czerniakowska 16 Street, Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Gwenzi W, Shamsizadeh Z, Gholipour S, Nikaeen M. The air-borne antibiotic resistome: Occurrence, health risks, and future directions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 804:150154. [PMID: 34798728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance comprising of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is an emerging problem causing global human health risks. Several reviews exist on antibiotic resistance in various environmental compartments excluding the air-borne resistome. An increasing body of recent evidence exists on the air-borne resistome comprising of antibiotic resistance in air-borne bioaerosols from various environmental compartments. However, a comprehensive review on the sources, dissemination, behavior, fate, and human exposure and health risks of the air-borne resistome is still lacking. Therefore, the current review uses the source-pathway-receptor-impact-mitigation framework to investigate the air-borne resistome. The nature and sources of antibiotic resistance in the air-borne resistome are discussed. The dissemination pathways, and environmental and anthropogenic drivers accounting for the transfer of antibiotic resistance from sources to the receptors are highlighted. The human exposure and health risks posed by air-borne resistome are presented. A health risk assessment and mitigation strategy is discussed. Finally, future research directions including key knowledge gaps are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willis Gwenzi
- Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
| | - Zahra Shamsizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Sahar Gholipour
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Nikaeen
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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7
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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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8
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Li L, Ma J, Yang K, Chai F, Liu J, Guo X. Microbial aerosol particles in four seasons of sanitary landfill site: Molecular approaches, traceability and risk assessment. J Environ Sci (China) 2021; 108:120-133. [PMID: 34465426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Landfill sites are regarded as prominent sources of bioaerosols for the surrounding atmosphere. The present study focused on the emission of airborne bacteria and fungi in four seasons of a sanitary landfill site. The main species found in bioaerosols were assayed using high-throughput sequencing. The SourceTracker method was utilized to identify the sources of the bioaerosols present at the boundary of the landfill site. Furthermore, the health consequences of the exposure to bioaerosols were evaluated based on the average daily dose rates. Results showed that the concentrations of airborne bacteria in the operation area (OPA) and the leakage treatment area (LTA) were in the range of (4684 ± 477)-(10883 ± 1395) CFU/m3 and (3179 ± 453)-(9051 ± 738) CFU/m3, respectively. The average emission levels of fungal aerosols were 4026 CFU/m3 for OPA and 1295 CFU/m3 for LTA. The landfill site received the maximum bioaerosol load during summer and the minimum during winter. Approximately 41.39%- 86.24% of the airborne bacteria had a particle size of 1.1 to 4.7 µm, whereas 48.27%- 66.45% of the airborne fungi had a particle size of more than 4.7 µm. Bacillus sp., Brevibacillus sp., and Paenibacillus sp. were abundant in the bacterial population, whereas Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. dominated the fungal population. Bioaerosols released from the working area and treatment of leachate were the two main sources that emerged in the surrounding air of the landfill site boundary. The exposure risks during summer and autumn were higher than those in spring and winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Jiawei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Kaixiong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Fengguang Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xuesong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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9
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Singh NK, Sanghvi G, Yadav M, Padhiyar H, Thanki A. A state-of-the-art review on WWTP associated bioaerosols: Microbial diversity, potential emission stages, dispersion factors, and control strategies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 410:124686. [PMID: 33309139 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) associated bioaerosols have emerged as one of the critical sustainability indicators, ensuring health and well-being of societies and cities. In this context, this review summarizes the various wastewater treatment technologies which have been studied with a focus of bioaerosols emissions, potential emission stages, available sampling strategies, survival and dispersion factors, dominant microbial species in bioaerosols, and possible control approaches. Literature review revealed that most of the studies were devoted to sampling, enumerating and identifying cultivable microbial species of bioaerosols, as well as measuring their concentrations. However, the role of treatment technologies and their operational factors are investigated in limited studies only. Moreover, few studies have been reported to investigate the presence and concentrations of air borne virus and fungi in WWTP, as compared to bacterial species. The common environmental factors, affecting the survival and dispersion of bioaerosols, are observed as relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and solar illumination. Further, research studies on recent episodes of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 virus) pandemic also revealed that continuous and effective surveillance on WWTPs associated bioaerosols may led to early sign for future pandemics. The evaluation of reported data is bit complicated, due to the variation in sampling approaches, ambient conditions, and site activities of each study. Therefore, such studies need a standardized methodology and improved guidance to help informed future policies, contextual research, and support a robust health-based risk assessment process. Based on this review, an integrated sampling and analysis framework is suggested for future WWTPs to ensure their sustainability at social and/or health associated aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Kumar Singh
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Marwadi Education Foundations Group of Institutions, Rajkot, India.
| | - Gaurav Sanghvi
- Department of Microbiology, Marwadi University, Rajkot, India.
| | - Manish Yadav
- Central Mine Planning Design Institute, Bhubaneshwar, India.
| | - Hirendrasinh Padhiyar
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Marwadi Education Foundations Group of Institutions, Rajkot, India.
| | - Arti Thanki
- Department of Microbiology, Marwadi University, Rajkot, India.
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10
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Zieliński W, Korzeniewska E, Harnisz M, Hubeny J, Buta M, Rolbiecki D. The prevalence of drug-resistant and virulent Staphylococcus spp. in a municipal wastewater treatment plant and their spread in the environment. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105914. [PMID: 32615351 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug-resistant and pathogenic Staphylococcus spp. strains can reach surface waters and air with wastewater evacuated to the environment. These strains increase the environmental pool of genetic determinants conferring antibiotic resistance and virulence, and constitute a health risk for the employees of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) who come into daily contact with bioaerosols. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic determinants of drug resistance and virulence in Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from untreated (UWW) and treated wastewater (TWW), an activated sludge (AS) bioreactor, river water collected upstream and downstream from the wastewater discharge point (URW and DRW), and WWTP employees. All isolates were analysed for the presence of the rpoB gene, and were subjected to clonal analysis by ERIC fingerprinting. As a result, 249 of the 455 analysed isolates were selected for PCR. The presence of the gene encoding nuclease activity in S. aureus (nuc), the methicillin resistance gene (mecA), vancomycin resistance gene (vanA), antiseptic resistance gene (qacA/B) and virulence genes (sasX, pvl, tst1, hla, sec) was determined. The prevalence of nuc, mecA, vanA and qacA/B genes in wastewater and river water was determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR). In the group of strains isolated from wastewater and water samples, 63% were identified as S. aureus, and 20% of the strains carried the vanA gene. The hla virulence gene was present in 80% of the isolates, and the pvl gene was detected in 27% of the isolates. In the group of strains isolated from the employees, 82% were identified as S. aureus, and the presence of vanA and mecA genes was confirmed in 14% and 16% of the isolates, respectively. The most prevalent virulence gene was hla (74%), whereas pvl was observed in 43% of the isolates. The quantitative analysis revealed the highest concentrations of the studied genes in UWW samples, at 2.56x104 gene copies/ml for nuc, 1.18x103 gene copies /ml for mecA, 8.28x105 gene copies /ml for vanA and 3.83x105 gene copies /ml for qacA/B. Some of analysed genes were identified in the isolates from both URW and DRW samples, as well as in genomic DNA of these samples. These results indicate that wastewater is not effectively treated in the analysed WWTP, which could contribute to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) to the environment. An analysis of the genetic relatedness of selected isolates revealed clusters of strains originating from UWW samples, AS samples and the employees. These observations suggest that ARGs and ARB are transmitted by wastewater bioaerosols to the upper respiratory tract mucosa of the plant's employees, thus increasing their exposure to infectious factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiktor Zieliński
- Department of Engineering of Water Protection and Environmental Microbiology, The Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1 Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Korzeniewska
- Department of Engineering of Water Protection and Environmental Microbiology, The Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1 Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Monika Harnisz
- Department of Engineering of Water Protection and Environmental Microbiology, The Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1 Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jakub Hubeny
- Department of Engineering of Water Protection and Environmental Microbiology, The Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1 Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Martyna Buta
- Department of Engineering of Water Protection and Environmental Microbiology, The Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1 Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Damian Rolbiecki
- Department of Engineering of Water Protection and Environmental Microbiology, The Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Prawocheńskiego 1 Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
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11
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Liu M, Nobu MK, Ren J, Jin X, Hong G, Yao H. Bacterial compositions in inhalable particulate matters from indoor and outdoor wastewater treatment processes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 385:121515. [PMID: 31718810 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment systems are critical microbial sources for urban air and play important roles in public health. In this study, bacterial communities in particulate matters (PM2.5, PM10) from wastewater/sludge treatment facilities of two full-scale wastewater treatment plants were analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Compared to the background ambient air, Campylobacteriadeceae, Aeromonadaceae, and Chlostridiaceae were the most enriched bacteria above wastewater treatment facilities. In sludge dewatering facilities, Comamonadaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Caldilineaceae, Mycobacteriaceae, Methylocystaceae, Microbacteriaceae, Cryomorphaceae, and uncultured Class OPB56 were the most enriched. The dynamic bacterial compositions in aerosols were contributed by aerosolization and dispersion. Principal coordinate analysis and clustering analysis showed that the aerosol bacterial community from indoor sludge treatment were closely clustered with that of sludge, indicating that aerosolization dominated the indoor environments. In contrast, aerosols from outdoor wastewater treatment facilities clustered with background ambient aerosols, indicating that outdoor aerosol bacterial communities were mainly governed by dispersion. Aerosolization factor (the ratio of bacteria abundance in aerosols to those in wastewater/sludge) was used to evaluate the aerosolization potential and survival of bacteria. Rhodocyclaceae, Arcobacter, Comamonadaceae, Mycobacterium, and Citrobacter were not only preferentially aerosolized from wastewater/sludge, but also sustainable during dispersion in ambient air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Liu
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China.; Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru K Nobu
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jia Ren
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Jin
- China National Environmental Monitoring Center, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Gang Hong
- Shijiazhuang Environmental Monitoring Station, Hebei Province, China
| | - Hong Yao
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China..
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12
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Bruni E, Simonetti G, Bovone B, Casagrande C, Castellani F, Riccardi C, Pomata D, Di Filippo P, Federici E, Buiarelli F, Uccelletti D. Evaluation of Bioaerosol Bacterial Components of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Through an Integrate Approach and In Vivo Assessment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 17:ijerph17010273. [PMID: 31906026 PMCID: PMC6981557 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater carries different pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms that can be dispersed in the surrounding environment. Workers who frequent sewage treatment plants can therefore be exposed to aerosols that contain a high concentration of potentially dangerous biological agents, or they can come into direct contact with contaminated material. This can lead to allergies, infections and occupational health-associated diseases. A characterization of biological risk assessment of bioaerosol exposure is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of an interdisciplinary method that combines chemical and biological approaches for the analysis of a bioaerosol derived from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) situated in Italy. Sampled filters were analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS spectroscopy that searched for different chemical biomarkers of airborne microorganisms. The analytical quantification was compared to the biological cultural method that revealed an underrated microbial concentration. Furthermore, next generation sequencing analysis was used also to identify the uncultivable species that were not detected by the culture dependent-method. Moreover, the simple animal model Caenorhabditis elegans was used to evaluate the pathogenicity of two isolates—Acinetobacter iwoffii and Micrococcus luteus—that showed multidrug-resistance. This work represents a starting point for the development of a multidisciplinary approach for the validation of bioaerosol exposure on WWTP workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Bruni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Giulia Simonetti
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (D.P.); (P.D.F.); (F.B.)
| | - Beatrice Bovone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (B.B.)
| | - Chiara Casagrande
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Federica Castellani
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (D.P.); (P.D.F.); (F.B.)
| | - Carmela Riccardi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (D.P.); (P.D.F.); (F.B.)
- Inail DIT, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Pomata
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (D.P.); (P.D.F.); (F.B.)
- Inail DIT, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Filippo
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (D.P.); (P.D.F.); (F.B.)
- Inail DIT, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Ermanno Federici
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (C.C.); (E.F.)
| | - Francesca Buiarelli
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.S.); (F.C.); (C.R.); (D.P.); (P.D.F.); (F.B.)
| | - Daniela Uccelletti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Han Y, Yang T, Chen T, Li L, Liu J. Characteristics of submicron aerosols produced during aeration in wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 696:134019. [PMID: 31465925 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Submicron aerosols (SAs) emitted during wastewater treatment may harm the human circulation system, respiratory cells, and deep lungs. Despite this threat, SAs remain poorly understood. In this study, a laboratory simulation aerosol generator was manufactured, and the particle number size distributions, aerosol liquid water content (ALWC), and chemical and microbial composition of SAs from aeration were analyzed. Under stable aeration conditions, the unimodal SA size distribution ranged from 68 to 350 nm. The ALWC of peak size (170 nm) was 11-21 μg/m3. Na was the dominant major element in SAs with the concentration of 5.61 μg/m3. Total organic carbon accounted for 97% of the total carbon in the SAs. Arcobacter, Methanobrevibacter, and Fusarium were the dominant SA bacteria, archaea, and fungi, respectively, and a number of viruses were also detected. Thirty-two antibiotic resistant genes, and virulence factors of which 23% were offensive virulence factors, were detected in the SAs. The results predicted that 2% of the genes in SAs were directly related to human health. Thus, SAs may pose disproportionately high risks to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
| | - Tang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Tianzeng Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
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14
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Airborne Survival of Escherichia coli under Different Culture Conditions in Synthetic Wastewater. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16234745. [PMID: 31783576 PMCID: PMC6926559 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bioaerosol generated in wastewater treatment plants has potential to harm human health. Survival of bacteria in bioaerosol during suspension is one of the major factors that affect its biological risk. It is hypothesized that bacteria grown in different wastewater have different physiology and lead to variation in airborne survival. This study investigated the relationship between the cultured conditions and the bioaerosol survival. Synthetic wastewater was used as the culture medium to simulate the water quality of wastewater. Escherichia coli BW25113 were cultured in different conditions, including growth salinity, growth temperature, growth pH, and presence of pesticide. The fatty acid composition and the reduction in airborne survival of the E. coli cultured under these conditions were determined and compared. Results showed that increasing growth salinity and temperature led to a lower reduction in airborne survival of E. coli.E. coli cultured at pH 6 had a higher reduction in airborne survival than those cultured at pH 7 and 8. Moreover, a correlation was observed between the membrane fluidity (fluidity index) and the reduction airborne survival for both aerosolization and airborne suspension. A link between culture conditions, bacterial membrane fluidity, and airborne survival was established. Culture conditions (wastewater quality) that lead to a low membrane fluidity of bacteria increase the airborne survival of bioaerosol, and vice versa. This provides a new aspect to evaluate bioaerosol survival and improve assessment on biological risk of bioaerosols.
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15
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Yang T, Han Y, Liu J, Li L. Aerosols from a wastewater treatment plant using oxidation ditch process: Characteristics, source apportionment, and exposure risks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 250:627-638. [PMID: 31035145 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The study of aerosol dispersion characteristics in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has attracted extensive attention. Oxidation ditch (OD) is a commonly implemented process during biological wastewater treatment. This study assessed the component characteristics, source apportionment, and exposure risks of aerosols generated from a WWTP using the OD process (AWO). The results indicated that the aeration part of oxidation ditch (ODA) exhibited the highest concentrations and proportions of the respiratory fractions (RF) of bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some pathogenic or opportunistic-pathogenic bacteria and carcinogenic metal(loid)s were detected in the AWO. The source apportionment results indicated that the outdoor wastewater treatment processes and ambient air contributed to the constitution of the AWO. The indoor aerosols were mainly constituted by composition of the wastewater treatment process such as the sludge dewatering room (SDR). The pathogenic or opportunistic-pathogenic bacteria with eight genera (Colinsella, Dermatophilus, Enterobactor, Erycherichia-Shigella, Ledionella, Selenomonas, Xanthobacter, and Veillonella) were largely attributed to wastewater or sludge. The risk assessment suggested that inhalation was the main exposure pathway for aerosols (including bacteria and metal(loid)s). Additionally, As indicated the highest non-carcinogenic risks. Furthermore, As, Cd, and Co were associated with high carcinogenic risks. The ODA and sludge dewatering room (SDR) indicated the highest carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of metal(loid)s, respectively. Thus, the AWO should be sufficiently researched and monitored to mitigate their harmful effects on human health, particularly with regard to the health of the site workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, PR China.
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16
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Noh JH, Choi H, Kim HY, Choi S, Maeng SK. Reducing bacterial aerosol emissions from membrane bioreactors: The impact of SRT and the addition of PAC and calcium. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 156:58-70. [PMID: 30904711 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial aerosols resulting from membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes, which require excessive aeration in a confined space, are important to investigate because of their possible adverse effects on human health. This study investigated the influence of solid retention time (SRT) on bacterial aerosols from MBRs. Moreover, powdered activated carbon (PAC) and calcium were used to attenuate bacterial aerosol emissions from MBRs. The particulate matter (PM) emitted from the MBRs was reduced by 30.5 and 25.2% at SRTs of 20 and 80 d, respectively, compared to the level emitted at an SRT of 10 d. Total cell counts were similarly reduced at SRTs of 20 and 80 d. Longer SRTs also led to greater reductions in the particle size distribution of the sludge within 10 μm. Several factors in the MBR influenced the behavior of the bacterial aerosol emissions from the MBRs. This study showed that changes in viscosity and particle size induced by the SRT influenced the bacterial aerosol emissions in MBRs. Therefore, SRT was identified as an important design parameter affecting bacterial aerosol emissions in MBR processes. The amounts of particulate matter and bacterial aerosols were reduced in MBRs using PAC and calcium, both of which exerted an immediate effect on the bacterial aerosol emissions in MBRs by increasing the aerosol-particle size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hyung Noh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdongro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Hanna Choi
- Taeyoung E&C 111, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 07241, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Yong Kim
- Taeyoung E&C 111, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 07241, Republic of Korea
| | - Soohoon Choi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdongro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Kyu Maeng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sejong University, 209 Neungdongro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Han Y, Yang K, Yang T, Zhang M, Li L. Bioaerosols emission and exposure risk of a wastewater treatment plant with A 2O treatment process. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 169:161-168. [PMID: 30445247 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The characteristics of bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have attracted extensive attention. The anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A2O) process, which uses the activated sludge approach to wastewater treatment, is the most widely used process in WWTPs. Concentration, size distribution, population, and exposure risk from bacteria and fungi in bioaerosols of WWTPs using the A2O process were studied in this work. The results showed that the maximum concentration of airborne bacteria (1.00 × 104 Colony Forming Units per cubic meter (CFU m-3)) and fungi (1.44 ×104 CFU m-3) occurred from the facility's aerobic tank, in summer. As one of the main factors affecting bioaerosol exposure risk, particle size distribution was related to season. The study found that particles larger than 3.3 µm in diameter were detected mainly in spring and summer, while particles less than 3.3 µm were detected mainly in autumn and winter, whether bacterial aerosol or fungal aerosol. In addition, pathogenic bacteria were observed in bioaerosols from WWTPs, with 18 of the 65 species of bacteria detected found to be potentially or opportunistically pathogenic, such as Chryseobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Alcaligenes, Micrococcus, Pantoea, Enterobacter and Escherichia-Shigella. The presence of these pathogens further increased the exposure risk from bioaerosols. The results of an inhalation risk assessment for airborne bacteria and fungi indicated that potential adverse health risks for adults mainly occurred in spring, summer, and autumn. On this basis, it was concluded that WWTP operators should set up effective bioaerosol controls as soon as possible to protect the health of workers, and of residents near the plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
| | - Kaixiong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
| | - Tang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
| | - Mengzhu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; CSD (Beijing) Water Service Co., Ltd., Beijing 100192, China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, PR China.
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18
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Xu G, Han Y, Li L, Liu J. Characterization and source analysis of indoor/outdoor culturable airborne bacteria in a municipal wastewater treatment plant. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 74:71-78. [PMID: 30340676 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The potential health risks of airborne bacteria emission from a wastewater treatment process have been concerned. However, few studies have investigated the differences in community structure between indoor and outdoor bacteria. In this work, the characterization of airborne bacteria was studied in a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Beijing, China. Two indoor (i.e., fine screen room and sludge dewatering house) and two outdoor (i.e., aeration tank and control site) sampling sites were selected. An Andersen six-stage impactor was used for collecting culturable airborne bacteria in the air, and Illumina MiSeq sequencing was conducted to track the emission source of the culturable airborne bacteria. The results indicate that, compared with the outdoor aeration tank site, the concentrations of culturable airborne bacteria in the indoor fine screen room with poor ventilation were more than ten times higher and the particle size was about twice as large. The community structures of indoor and outdoor culturable airborne bacteria were obviously different. Enterobacteriaceae and opportunistic pathogens were detected in indoor culturable airborne bacteria, with wastewater and sludge dewatering machine identified as the primary sources. Conversely, Enterobacteriaceae and opportunistic pathogens were not detected in outdoor culturable airborne bacteria. Outdoor high wind speed might have resulted in rapid dilution and mixing of culturable airborne bacteria generated from the aeration tank with the ambient air. The results of the present research suggest that covering pollution sources, increasing ventilation rates, and using protective measures for personnel should be implemented to decrease the exposure risk to indoor culturable airborne bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangsu Xu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunping Han
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Lin Li
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junxin Liu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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19
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Zhai Y, Li X, Wang T, Wang B, Li C, Zeng G. A review on airborne microorganisms in particulate matters: Composition, characteristics and influence factors. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 113:74-90. [PMID: 29421410 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Airborne microorganisms (AM), vital components of particulate matters (PM), are widespread in the atmosphere. Since some AM have pathogenicity, they can lead to a wide range of diseases in human and other organisms, meanwhile, some AM act as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei which let them can affect the climate. The inherent characteristics of AM play critical roles in many aspects which, in turn, can decide microbial traits. The uncertain factors bring various influences on AM, which make it difficult to elaborate effect trends as whole. Because of the potential roles of AM in environment and potent effects of factors on AM, detailed knowledge of them is of primary significance. This review highlights the issues of composition and characteristics of AM with size-distribution, species diversity, variation and so on, and summarizes the main factors which affect airborne microbial features. This general information is a knowledge base for further thorough researches of AM and relevant aspects. Besides, current knowledge gaps and new perspectives are offered to roundly understand the impacts and application of AM in nature and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunbo Zhai
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Xue Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Tengfei Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Bei Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Caiting Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Guangming Zeng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
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Han Y, Wang Y, Li L, Xu G, Liu J, Yang K. Bacterial population and chemicals in bioaerosols from indoor environment: Sludge dewatering houses in nine municipal wastewater treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 618:469-478. [PMID: 29136598 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) are regarded as sources of airborne microorganisms. Sludge dewatering house (SDH) is one of the most serious indoor bioaerosol pollution treatment sectors in MWTPs. In this study, properties of bioaerosols from SDHs of nine MWTPs were investigated in China. Results suggested that bioaerosols were generated mainly from the mixed liquor and will be promoted by the mechanical motion of belts of dewatering devices. They will accumulate in the SDHs due to the treatment devices placed inside. Levels of airborne bacteria and chemicals showed regional variations. In Hefei and Yixing, the emissions of total suspended particles (TSP) and airborne bacteria were higher than those in Beijing and Guangzhou. Results of bacterial population showed that bacterial species in bioaerosols from SDHs also presented significant regional disparity; these regional disparities were closely related with the source of bioaerosols in SDHs. Among these identified bacterial species, some common potential pathogens were detected in all SDHs, such as Aeromonas caviae, Flavobacterium sp., and Staphylococcus lentus. Relative humidity (RH) and temperature were the major parameters on bioaerosols to survive. As shown in this study, SDHs in wastewater treatment plants should be provided considerable attention for being an emission source of indoor bioaerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunping Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
| | - Yanjie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
| | - Guangsu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
| | - Junxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Kaixiong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; National Engineering Laboratory for VOCs Pollution Control Material & Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
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Ji Z, Jin J, Yu G, Mou R, Mao J, Liu S, Zhou Z, Peng L. Characteristic of filamentous fungal diversity and dynamics associated with wheat Qu and the traditional fermentation of Chinese rice wine. Int J Food Sci Technol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.13743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwei Ji
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- School of Food Science and Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- National Engineering Research Center of Chinese Rice Wine; Shaoxing Zhejiang 31200 China
| | - Jianshun Jin
- Kuaijishan Shaoxing Wine Co. Ltd.; Shaoxing Zhejiang 312000 China
| | - Guansong Yu
- Kuaijishan Shaoxing Wine Co. Ltd.; Shaoxing Zhejiang 312000 China
| | - Rang Mou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
| | - Jian Mao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- School of Food Science and Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- National Engineering Research Center of Chinese Rice Wine; Shaoxing Zhejiang 31200 China
| | - Shuangping Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- School of Food Science and Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
| | - Zhilei Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
| | - Lin Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
- Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition; Jiangnan University; Wuxi Jiangsu 214122 China
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Duquenne P. On the Identification of Culturable Microorganisms for the Assessment of Biodiversity in Bioaerosols. Ann Work Expo Health 2017; 62:139-146. [DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxx096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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23
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Bioaerosol emissions from open microalgal processes and their potential environmental impacts: what can be learned from natural and anthropogenic aquatic environments? Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015; 33:279-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Masclaux FG, Hotz P, Gashi D, Savova-Bianchi D, Oppliger A. Assessment of airborne virus contamination in wastewater treatment plants. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 133:260-5. [PMID: 24981824 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Revised: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Occupational exposure to bioaerosols in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and its consequence on workers' health are well documented. Most studies were devoted to enumerating and identifying cultivable bacteria and fungi, as well as measuring concentrations of airborne endotoxins, as these are the main health-related factors found in WWTP. Surprisingly, very few studies have investigated the presence and concentrations of airborne virus in WWTP. However, many enteric viruses are present in wastewater and, due to their small size, they should become aerosolized. Two in particular, the norovirus and the adenovirus, are extremely widespread and are the major causes of infectious gastrointestinal diseases reported around the world. The third one, hepatitis E virus, has an emerging status. GOAL AND METHODS This study׳s objectives were to detect and quantify the presence and concentrations of 3 different viruses (adenovirus, norovirus and the hepatitis E virus) in air samples from 31 WWTPs by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) during two different seasons and two consecutive years. RESULTS Adenovirus was present in 100% of summer WWTP samples and 97% of winter samples. The highest airborne concentration measured was 2.27 × 10(6) genome equivalent/m(3) and, on average, these were higher in summer than in winter. Norovirus was detected in only 3 of the 123 air samples, and the hepatitis E virus was not detected. CONCLUSIONS Concentrations of potentially pathogenic viral particles in WWTP air are non-negligible and could partly explain the work-related gastrointestinal symptoms often reported in employees in this sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric G Masclaux
- Institute for Work and Health (IST), University of Lausanne and University of Geneva, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Philipp Hotz
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Unit, Med. Poliklinik USZ, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Drita Gashi
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Unit, Med. Poliklinik USZ, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dessislava Savova-Bianchi
- Institute for Work and Health (IST), University of Lausanne and University of Geneva, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne Oppliger
- Institute for Work and Health (IST), University of Lausanne and University of Geneva, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Hubad B, Lapanje A. The efficient method for simultaneous monitoring of the culturable as well as nonculturable airborne microorganisms. PLoS One 2013; 8:e82186. [PMID: 24376520 PMCID: PMC3869663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cultivation-based microbiological methods are a gold standard for monitoring of airborne micro-organisms to determine the occupational exposure levels or transmission paths of a particular infectious agent. Some highly contagious microorganisms are not easily culturable but it is becoming evident that cultivation and molecular methods are complementary and in these cases highly relevant. We report a simple and efficient method for sampling and analyzing airborne bacteria with an impactor-type high-flow-rate portable air sampler, currently used for monitoring culturable bacteria or fungi. A method is reported for extraction of nucleic acids from impacted cells without prior cultivation and using agarose as a sampling matrix. The DNA extraction efficiency was determined in spiked samples and, samples taken from a wastewater treatment plant and an alpine area. The abundance, diversity and quantity of total bacteria were analysed by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and by construction and analysis of clone libraries. The method does not interfere with downstream PCR analysis and can cover the gap between traditional culture and molecular techniques of bioaerosol monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Hubad
- Institute of Microbial Sciences and Technologies, Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Lapanje
- Institute of Microbial Sciences and Technologies, Domžale, Slovenia
- * E-mail:
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