| Med. Pr. 2006;57(6):531-535 |
| Biological hazards in air at municipal waste landfills |
| Czynniki biologiczne, szkodliwe dla zdrowia, występujące w powietrzu na terenie składowisk odpadów komunalnych |
| Alina Buczyńska, Marcin Cyprowski, Irena Szadkowska-Stańczyk Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland |
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the microbiological air quality at the selected municipal waste landfills. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted during the summer at two municipal landfills. Air samples were collected on agar plates. The evaluation was based on the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and the identification of isolated strains. Results: The total number of bacteria and fungi did not exceed the level of 103 cfu/m3. The highest concentrations of bacteria in air were observed during unloading, disposing and compacting of municipal wastes (landfill 1 - 6,1 * 103 cfu/m3, landfill 2 - 5,4 * 103 cfu/m3). The highest concentrations of fungi in air were observed at filled up parts of the landfills (landfill 1 - 4,8 * 102 cfu/m3, landfill 2 - 1,2 * 103 cfu/m3). The qualitative analysis of the air samples indicated the presence of 21 bacterial and fungi. Among of them bacteria Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus mirabilis and fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans are classified as harmful biological agents. Conclusions: The total number of bacteria and fungi in air samples collected at the selected municipal waste landfills did not exceed the reference values. The concentration levels of bioaerosols are diversified according to the size of the landfill, the total number of accumulated wastes and the level of area usage. It is suggested using by municipal waste workers personal protective equipment, especially for respiratory airways and skin and also keeping the rules of individual hygiene.Key words
municipal waste landfills, occupational exposure, bioaerosols, bacteria, fungi
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