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Junxin Liu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Study of the generation and diffusion of Bioaerosol under two aeration conditions.
Environmental pollution (Barking Essex : 1987), 2020Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Tang Yang, Chao Han, Junxin LiuAbstract:Abstract Given that studies on actual sewage treatment plants are often affected by environmental conditions, it is challenging to clearly understand the associated Bioaerosol generation and diffusion characteristics during the aeration process. Therefore, to enhance understanding in this regard, in this study, Bioaerosol generator was used to simulate Bioaerosol generation and diffusion under two aeration modes, i.e., bubble bottom aeration and brush surface aeration. The total concentration range of culturable bacteria in the Bioaerosol produced by bubble bottom aeration and that produced by brush surface aeration were 300–3000 CFU/m3. Under bubble bottom aeration, the generated Bioaerosol was symmetrically distributed around the source point, whereas under brush surface aeration, it was primarily distributed in the forward direction of the rotating brush surface. These Bioaerosols from bubble bottom aeration predominantly consisted of particles with sizes below 3.3 μm, particularly those with sizes in the range 1.1–2.1 μm. On the contrary, the Bioaerosols produced via brush surface aeration predominantly consisted of particles with sizes above 3.3 μm. The distribution characteristics of population structure in the two aeration modes were consistent with the distribution characteristics of concentration in the corresponding models. Additionally, the results showed that when the aeration process is unaffected by environmental conditions (particle matters, wind direct, wind speed, etc.), the Bioaerosol components originate primarily from the parent sewage or sludge, and do not diffuse far from the source point. Therefore, source reduction (capping or sealing) can be recommended as the primary control strategy for Bioaerosols in sewage treatment plants. The adoption of such measures will significantly limit the diffusion of Bioaerosols, thereby reducing the potential risks associated with human exposure.
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composition dispersion and health risks of Bioaerosols in wastewater treatment plants a review
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China, 2020Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Chao Han, Ying Wang, Junxin LiuAbstract:Bioaerosols are defined as airborne particles (0.05–100 μn in size) of biological origin. They are considered potentially harmful to human health as they can contain pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review summarizes the most recent research on the health risks of Bioaerosols emitted from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in order to improve the control of such Bioaerosols. The concentration and size distribution of WWTP Bioaerosols; their major emission sources, composition, and health risks; and considerations for future research are discussed. The major themes and findings in the literature are as follows: the major emission sources of WWTP Bioaerosols include screen rooms, sludge-dewatering rooms, and aeration tanks; the Bioaerosol concentrations in screen and sludge-dewatering rooms are higher than those outdoors. WWTP Bioaerosols contain a variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria, fungi, antibiotic resistance genes, viruses, endotoxins, and toxic metal(loid)s. These potentially pathogenic substances spread with the Bioaerosols, thereby posing health risks to workers and residents in and around the WWTP. Inhalation has been identified as the main exposure route, and children are at a higher risk of this than adults. Future studies should identify emerging contaminants, establish health risk assessments, and develop prevention and control systems.
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Characteristics and interactions of Bioaerosol microorganisms from wastewater treatment plants.
Journal of hazardous materials, 2020Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Tang Yang, Xu Guangsu, Junxin LiuAbstract:Bacteria and fungi are abundant and ubiquitous in Bioaerosols from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, the specificity and interactions of Bioaerosol microorganism, particularly of potential pathogens, from WWTPs are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated 9 full-scale WWTPs in different areas of China for 3 years, and found microbial variations in Bioaerosols to be associated with regions, seasons, and processes. Relative humidity, total suspended particulates, wind speed, temperature, total organic carbon, NH4+, Cl- and Ca2+ were the major factors influencing this variation, and meteorological factors were more strongly associated with the variation than chemical composition. In total, 95 and 22 potential bacterial and fungal pathogens were detected in Bioaerosols, respectively. The linear discriminant analysis effect size method suggested that Serratia, Yersinia, Klebsiella, and Bacillus were discriminative genera in Bioaerosols on the whole, and were also hub niches in the interactions within potential bacterial pathogens, based on network analysis. Strong co-occurrences such as Serratia-Bacillus and Staphylococcus-Candida, and co-exclusions such as Rhodotorula-Cladosporium and Pseudomonas-Candida, were found within and between potential bacterial and fungal pathogens in Bioaerosols from WWTPs. This study furthers understanding of the biology and ecology of Bioaerosols from WWTPs, and offers a theoretical basis for determining Bioaerosol control.
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characteristics of Bioaerosols emitted from wwtp with sbr treatment process
Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue, 2018Co-Authors: Kaixiong Yang, Yunping Han, Hong-xun Hou, Ying-zhe Wang, Hao-ran Shi, Junxin LiuAbstract:Sampling sites were located in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with a sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process to investigate the characteristics of Bioaerosol emissions. The results indicated that Bioaerosols were detected from each treatment section of the WWTP, and concentrations of Bioaerosols were in the range of 82-1525 CFU·m-3. The coarse screen, aeration tank, and sludge dewatering house were the main sources of Bioaerosols. The dominant species in each treatment section was Cyanobacteria, and the other main bacterial taxa were Aeromonas, Peptostreptococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, Chroococcidiopsis, Sphingomonas, Arcobacter, and Acinetobacter. Among the identified bacterial genera, Aeromonas, Arcobacter, Acinetobacter, and Sphingomonas were potential pathogens. Bioaerosol concentration and abundance decreased along the vertical and horizontal directions. Appropriate temperature and relative humidity benefited the survival of Bioaerosols in the air (P<0.01), whereas a negative relationship between Bioaerosol concentration and wind speed was observed (P<0.05). Although exposure risks caused by Bioaerosols were negligible in this study, the accumulation of Bioaerosols would increase potential health risks. The bioreactor for odor treatment could effectively reduce Bioaerosol emissions.
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chemicals and microbes in Bioaerosols from reaction tanks of six wastewater treatment plants survival factors generation sources and mechanisms
Scientific Reports, 2018Co-Authors: Yanjie Wang, Kaixiong Yang, Huachun Lan, Junxin LiuAbstract:Sampling was conducted from biochemical reaction tanks of six municipal wastewater treatment plants in the Yangtze River and Zhujiang deltas and the Jing-Jin-Ji region to assess their morphology, level, and composition. Morphological observations suggested that particles were scattered amorphously with C, O, and Si as the major elements. Bioaerosols are composed of spatially varying levels of microorganisms and chemicals. As the sampling height increased, the level of the components in the Bioaerosols decreased. Wastewater in the biochemical reaction tanks was identified as an important source of Bioaerosols using SourceTracker analysis. The aerosolization of film drops produced by bursting of bubbles was the main reason for the generation of Bioaerosols. Increasing the aeration rate of water may promote Bioaerosol generation. Relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and solar illumination influenced the survival of Bioaerosols. Large particle sedimentation and wind diffusion significantly decreased the atmospheric aerosol concentration. When the sampling point height increased from 0.1 m to 3.0 m, the concentrations of the microorganisms and total suspended particles decreased by 23.71% and 38.74%, respectively. Considerable attention should be paid to the control of total suspended particles and microorganisms in Bioaerosols.
Kaixiong Yang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Bioaerosols emission and exposure risk of a wastewater treatment plant with a2o treatment process
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2019Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Kaixiong Yang, Tang Yang, Mengzhu ZhangAbstract: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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characteristics of Bioaerosols emitted from wwtp with sbr treatment process
Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue, 2018Co-Authors: Kaixiong Yang, Yunping Han, Hong-xun Hou, Ying-zhe Wang, Hao-ran Shi, Junxin LiuAbstract:Sampling sites were located in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with a sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process to investigate the characteristics of Bioaerosol emissions. The results indicated that Bioaerosols were detected from each treatment section of the WWTP, and concentrations of Bioaerosols were in the range of 82-1525 CFU·m-3. The coarse screen, aeration tank, and sludge dewatering house were the main sources of Bioaerosols. The dominant species in each treatment section was Cyanobacteria, and the other main bacterial taxa were Aeromonas, Peptostreptococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, Chroococcidiopsis, Sphingomonas, Arcobacter, and Acinetobacter. Among the identified bacterial genera, Aeromonas, Arcobacter, Acinetobacter, and Sphingomonas were potential pathogens. Bioaerosol concentration and abundance decreased along the vertical and horizontal directions. Appropriate temperature and relative humidity benefited the survival of Bioaerosols in the air (P<0.01), whereas a negative relationship between Bioaerosol concentration and wind speed was observed (P<0.05). Although exposure risks caused by Bioaerosols were negligible in this study, the accumulation of Bioaerosols would increase potential health risks. The bioreactor for odor treatment could effectively reduce Bioaerosol emissions.
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chemicals and microbes in Bioaerosols from reaction tanks of six wastewater treatment plants survival factors generation sources and mechanisms
Scientific Reports, 2018Co-Authors: Yanjie Wang, Kaixiong Yang, Huachun Lan, Junxin LiuAbstract:Sampling was conducted from biochemical reaction tanks of six municipal wastewater treatment plants in the Yangtze River and Zhujiang deltas and the Jing-Jin-Ji region to assess their morphology, level, and composition. Morphological observations suggested that particles were scattered amorphously with C, O, and Si as the major elements. Bioaerosols are composed of spatially varying levels of microorganisms and chemicals. As the sampling height increased, the level of the components in the Bioaerosols decreased. Wastewater in the biochemical reaction tanks was identified as an important source of Bioaerosols using SourceTracker analysis. The aerosolization of film drops produced by bursting of bubbles was the main reason for the generation of Bioaerosols. Increasing the aeration rate of water may promote Bioaerosol generation. Relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and solar illumination influenced the survival of Bioaerosols. Large particle sedimentation and wind diffusion significantly decreased the atmospheric aerosol concentration. When the sampling point height increased from 0.1 m to 3.0 m, the concentrations of the microorganisms and total suspended particles decreased by 23.71% and 38.74%, respectively. Considerable attention should be paid to the control of total suspended particles and microorganisms in Bioaerosols.
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intestinal bacteria in Bioaerosols and factors affecting their survival in two oxidation ditch process municipal wastewater treatment plants located in different regions
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2018Co-Authors: Yanjie Wang, Yunping Han, Junxin Liu, Kaixiong YangAbstract:Samples from two oxidation ditch process municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) (HJK and GXQ) in two regions of China were analysed for bacteria, particles, total organic carbon, and water-soluble ions in Bioaerosols. Diversity and potential pathogen populations were evaluated by high-throughput sequencing. Bioaerosol sources, factors affecting intestinal bacterial survival, and the relationship between Bioaerosols and water were analysed by Source tracker and partial least squares-discriminant, principal component, and canonical correspondence analyses. Culturable bacteria concentrations were 110-846 and 27-579 CFU/m3 at HJK and GXQ, respectively. Intestinal bacteria constituted 6-33% of bacteria. Biochemical reaction tank, sludge dewatering house (SDH), and fine screen samples showed the greatest contribution to Bioaerosol contamination. Enterobacter aerogenes was the main intestinal bacteria (> 99.5%) in HJK and detected at each sampling site. Enterobacter aerogenes (98.67% in SDH), Aeromonas sp. (76.3% in biochemical reaction tank), and Acinetobacter baumannii (99.89% in fine screens) were the main intestinal bacteria in GXQ. Total suspended particulate masses in SDH were 229.46 and 141.6 μg/m3 in HJK and GXQ, respectively. Percentages of insoluble compounds in total suspended particulates decreased as height increased. The main soluble ions in Bioaerosols were Ca2+, Na+, Cl-, and SO42-, which ranged from 3.8 to 27.55 μg/m3 in the MWTPs. Water was a main source of intestinal bacteria in Bioaerosols from the MWTPs. Bioaerosols in HJK but not in GXQ were closely related. Relative humidity and some ions positively influenced intestinal bacteria in Bioaerosols, while wind speed and solar illumination had a negative influence.
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bacterial population and chemicals in Bioaerosols from indoor environment sludge dewatering houses in nine municipal wastewater treatment plants
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Yanjie Wang, Junxin Liu, Kaixiong YangAbstract: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.
Yunping Han - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Study of the generation and diffusion of Bioaerosol under two aeration conditions.
Environmental pollution (Barking Essex : 1987), 2020Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Tang Yang, Chao Han, Junxin LiuAbstract:Abstract Given that studies on actual sewage treatment plants are often affected by environmental conditions, it is challenging to clearly understand the associated Bioaerosol generation and diffusion characteristics during the aeration process. Therefore, to enhance understanding in this regard, in this study, Bioaerosol generator was used to simulate Bioaerosol generation and diffusion under two aeration modes, i.e., bubble bottom aeration and brush surface aeration. The total concentration range of culturable bacteria in the Bioaerosol produced by bubble bottom aeration and that produced by brush surface aeration were 300–3000 CFU/m3. Under bubble bottom aeration, the generated Bioaerosol was symmetrically distributed around the source point, whereas under brush surface aeration, it was primarily distributed in the forward direction of the rotating brush surface. These Bioaerosols from bubble bottom aeration predominantly consisted of particles with sizes below 3.3 μm, particularly those with sizes in the range 1.1–2.1 μm. On the contrary, the Bioaerosols produced via brush surface aeration predominantly consisted of particles with sizes above 3.3 μm. The distribution characteristics of population structure in the two aeration modes were consistent with the distribution characteristics of concentration in the corresponding models. Additionally, the results showed that when the aeration process is unaffected by environmental conditions (particle matters, wind direct, wind speed, etc.), the Bioaerosol components originate primarily from the parent sewage or sludge, and do not diffuse far from the source point. Therefore, source reduction (capping or sealing) can be recommended as the primary control strategy for Bioaerosols in sewage treatment plants. The adoption of such measures will significantly limit the diffusion of Bioaerosols, thereby reducing the potential risks associated with human exposure.
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composition dispersion and health risks of Bioaerosols in wastewater treatment plants a review
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China, 2020Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Chao Han, Ying Wang, Junxin LiuAbstract:Bioaerosols are defined as airborne particles (0.05–100 μn in size) of biological origin. They are considered potentially harmful to human health as they can contain pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review summarizes the most recent research on the health risks of Bioaerosols emitted from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in order to improve the control of such Bioaerosols. The concentration and size distribution of WWTP Bioaerosols; their major emission sources, composition, and health risks; and considerations for future research are discussed. The major themes and findings in the literature are as follows: the major emission sources of WWTP Bioaerosols include screen rooms, sludge-dewatering rooms, and aeration tanks; the Bioaerosol concentrations in screen and sludge-dewatering rooms are higher than those outdoors. WWTP Bioaerosols contain a variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria, fungi, antibiotic resistance genes, viruses, endotoxins, and toxic metal(loid)s. These potentially pathogenic substances spread with the Bioaerosols, thereby posing health risks to workers and residents in and around the WWTP. Inhalation has been identified as the main exposure route, and children are at a higher risk of this than adults. Future studies should identify emerging contaminants, establish health risk assessments, and develop prevention and control systems.
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Characteristics and interactions of Bioaerosol microorganisms from wastewater treatment plants.
Journal of hazardous materials, 2020Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Tang Yang, Xu Guangsu, Junxin LiuAbstract:Bacteria and fungi are abundant and ubiquitous in Bioaerosols from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, the specificity and interactions of Bioaerosol microorganism, particularly of potential pathogens, from WWTPs are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated 9 full-scale WWTPs in different areas of China for 3 years, and found microbial variations in Bioaerosols to be associated with regions, seasons, and processes. Relative humidity, total suspended particulates, wind speed, temperature, total organic carbon, NH4+, Cl- and Ca2+ were the major factors influencing this variation, and meteorological factors were more strongly associated with the variation than chemical composition. In total, 95 and 22 potential bacterial and fungal pathogens were detected in Bioaerosols, respectively. The linear discriminant analysis effect size method suggested that Serratia, Yersinia, Klebsiella, and Bacillus were discriminative genera in Bioaerosols on the whole, and were also hub niches in the interactions within potential bacterial pathogens, based on network analysis. Strong co-occurrences such as Serratia-Bacillus and Staphylococcus-Candida, and co-exclusions such as Rhodotorula-Cladosporium and Pseudomonas-Candida, were found within and between potential bacterial and fungal pathogens in Bioaerosols from WWTPs. This study furthers understanding of the biology and ecology of Bioaerosols from WWTPs, and offers a theoretical basis for determining Bioaerosol control.
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Bioaerosols emission and exposure risk of a wastewater treatment plant with a2o treatment process
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2019Co-Authors: Yunping Han, Kaixiong Yang, Tang Yang, Mengzhu ZhangAbstract: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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characteristics of Bioaerosols emitted from wwtp with sbr treatment process
Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue, 2018Co-Authors: Kaixiong Yang, Yunping Han, Hong-xun Hou, Ying-zhe Wang, Hao-ran Shi, Junxin LiuAbstract:Sampling sites were located in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with a sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process to investigate the characteristics of Bioaerosol emissions. The results indicated that Bioaerosols were detected from each treatment section of the WWTP, and concentrations of Bioaerosols were in the range of 82-1525 CFU·m-3. The coarse screen, aeration tank, and sludge dewatering house were the main sources of Bioaerosols. The dominant species in each treatment section was Cyanobacteria, and the other main bacterial taxa were Aeromonas, Peptostreptococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, Chroococcidiopsis, Sphingomonas, Arcobacter, and Acinetobacter. Among the identified bacterial genera, Aeromonas, Arcobacter, Acinetobacter, and Sphingomonas were potential pathogens. Bioaerosol concentration and abundance decreased along the vertical and horizontal directions. Appropriate temperature and relative humidity benefited the survival of Bioaerosols in the air (P<0.01), whereas a negative relationship between Bioaerosol concentration and wind speed was observed (P<0.05). Although exposure risks caused by Bioaerosols were negligible in this study, the accumulation of Bioaerosols would increase potential health risks. The bioreactor for odor treatment could effectively reduce Bioaerosol emissions.
Sachin S Gunthe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Bioaerosols in the earth system climate health and ecosystem interactions
Atmospheric Research, 2016Co-Authors: Janine Frohlichnowoisky, Christopher J Kampf, Bettina Weber, Alex J Huffman, Christopher Pohlker, Meinrat O Andreae, Naama Langyona, Susannah M Burrows, Sachin S GuntheAbstract:Abstract Aerosols of biological origin play a vital role in the Earth system, particularly in the interactions between atmosphere, biosphere, climate, and public health. Airborne bacteria, fungal spores, pollen, and other bioparticles are essential for the reproduction and spread of organisms across various ecosystems, and they can cause or enhance human, animal, and plant diseases. Moreover, they can serve as nuclei for cloud droplets, ice crystals, and precipitation, thus influencing the hydrological cycle and climate. The sources, abundance, composition, and effects of biological aerosols and the atmospheric microbiome are, however, not yet well characterized and constitute a large gap in the scientific understanding of the interaction and co-evolution of life and climate in the Earth system. This review presents an overview of the state of Bioaerosol research, highlights recent advances, and outlines future perspectives in terms of Bioaerosol identification, characterization, transport, and transformation processes, as well as their interactions with climate, health, and ecosystems, focusing on the role Bioaerosols play in the Earth system.
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Bioaerosols in the earth system climate health and ecosystem interactions
Atmospheric Research, 2016Co-Authors: Janine Frohlichnowoisky, M O Andreae, Christopher J Kampf, Bettina Weber, Alex J Huffman, Christopher Pohlker, Naama Langyona, Susannah M Burrows, Sachin S GuntheAbstract:Abstract Aerosols of biological origin play a vital role in the Earth system, particularly in the interactions between atmosphere, biosphere, climate, and public health. Airborne bacteria, fungal spores, pollen, and other bioparticles are essential for the reproduction and spread of organisms across various ecosystems, and they can cause or enhance human, animal, and plant diseases. Moreover, they can serve as nuclei for cloud droplets, ice crystals, and precipitation, thus influencing the hydrological cycle and climate. The sources, abundance, composition, and effects of biological aerosols and the atmospheric microbiome are, however, not yet well characterized and constitute a large gap in the scientific understanding of the interaction and co-evolution of life and climate in the Earth system. This review presents an overview of the state of Bioaerosol research, highlights recent advances, and outlines future perspectives in terms of Bioaerosol identification, characterization, transport, and transformation processes, as well as their interactions with climate, health, and ecosystems, focusing on the role Bioaerosols play in the Earth system.
Philippa Douglas - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Bioaerosol exposure from composting facilities and health outcomes in workers and in the community a systematic review update
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2019Co-Authors: Philippa Douglas, Sarah Robertson, Deborah Jarvis, Emma L MarczyloAbstract:Abstract Background Rapid population growth and urbanisation around the world has led to increasing waste generation rates. Composting of organic waste in large-scale facilities is part of a growing trend in the UK, and elsewhere, to better manage and re-use the organic waste. However, composting inevitably generates Bioaerosols, which have been associated with human health effects. In 2015, we reported that there was some, albeit limited, qualitative evidence linking Bioaerosol emissions from composting facilities to poor respiratory health in nearby residents. However, the limited evidence precluded any quantitative assessment. Since then, the number of operational industrial-scale composting facilities in England has increased by 9% - nearly twice the growth from 2012 to 2014. At the same time, rapid urbanisation has led to expansion of city borders with more people living near large composting facilities and exposed to Bioaerosol pollution. It is essential that regulatory authorities have access to the most up to date and accurate information. Objective In this update of a systematic review published in 2015, we review and summarise the evidence from more recent studies that have assessed Bioaerosol exposures within and near composting facilities and their associated health effects in both community and occupational health settings. Specifically, we wanted to find out if new evidence has emerged since the previous review to strengthen and confirm its conclusions. Material and methods Two electronic databases (Medline and Embase) and bibliographies were searched for studies reporting on health outcomes and/or exposure to Bioaerosols from composting facilities published between 1 January 2014 and 15 June 2018. Identification of relevant articles and data extraction was undertaken and studies were assessed for risk of bias. Results 23 studies met the inclusion criteria (15 exposure studies, 4 health studies, 4 health and exposure studies (one of which used an exposure proxy)). The majority of studies were conducted in occupational settings, and over short time periods. Some progress has been made in the characterisation of Bioaerosol emissions from these composting facilities, with the application of molecular-based methods. Whilst the latest health studies do not rely solely on subjective self-reported measures of health status but include more objective health measures, these studies were almost exclusively carried out in compost workers and were characterised by profound methodological limitations. Only one community health study was identified and used a proxy measure of Bioaerosol exposure. Conclusions Although this review identified an additional 23 studies since the earlier review, the conclusions remain largely unchanged. Given the absence of any consistent evidence on the toxicity of Bioaerosols from composting facilities, there is insufficient evidence to provide a quantitative comment on the risk to nearby residents from exposure to compost Bioaerosols. To improve risk assessment and to best advise on risk management, it is important to ensure that the research recommendations outlined in this review are addressed.
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A systematic review of the public health risks of Bioaerosols from intensive farming.
International journal of hygiene and environmental health, 2017Co-Authors: Philippa Douglas, Sarah Robertson, Anna Hansell, Timothy W. GantAbstract:Abstract Background Population growth, increasing food demands, and economic efficiency have been major driving forces behind farming intensification over recent decades. However, biological emissions (Bioaerosols) from intensified livestock farming may have the potential to impact human health. Bioaerosols from intensive livestock farming have been reported to cause symptoms and/or illnesses in occupational-settings and there is concern about the potential health effects on people who live near the intensive farms. As well as adverse health effects, some potential beneficial effects have been attributed to farm exposures in early life. The aim of the study was to undertake a systematic review to evaluate potential for adverse health outcomes in populations living near intensive livestock farms. Material and methods Two electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) and bibliographies were searched for studies reporting associations between health outcomes and Bioaerosol emissions related to intensive farming published between January 1960 and April 2017, including both occupational and community studies. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using a customized score. Results 38 health studies met the inclusion criteria (21 occupational and 1 community study measured Bioaerosol concentrations, 16 community studies using a proxy measure for exposure). The majority of occupational studies found a negative impact on respiratory health outcomes and increases in inflammatory biomarkers among farm workers exposed to Bioaerosols. Studies investigating the health of communities living near intensive farms had mixed findings. All four studies of asthma in children found increased reported asthma prevalence among children living or attending schools near an intensive farm. Papers principally investigated respiratory and immune system outcomes. Conclusions The review indicated a potential impact of intensive farming on childhood respiratory health, based on a small number of studies using self-reported outcomes, but supported by findings from occupational studies. Further research is needed to measure and monitor exposure in community settings and relate this to objectively measured health outcomes.
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use of dispersion modelling for environmental impact assessment of biological air pollution from composting progress problems and prospects
Waste Management, 2017Co-Authors: Philippa Douglas, Enda T Hayes, Philip J Longhurst, Simon J T Pollard, Sean Tyrrel, W B Williams, Rob Kinnersley, Kerry Walsh, M Odriscoll, Gillian H DrewAbstract:With the increase in composting asa sustainable waste management option, biological air pollution (Bioaerosols) from composting facilities have become a cause of increasing concern due to their potential health impacts. Estimating community exposure to Bioaerosols is problematic due to limitations in current monitoring methods. Atmospheric dispersion modelling can be used to estimate exposure concentrations, however several issues arise from the lack of appropriate Bioaerosol data to use as inputs into models, and the complexity of the emission sources at composting facilities. This paper analyses current progress in using dispersion models for Bioaerosols, examines the remaining problems and provides recommendations for future prospects in this area. A key finding is the urgent need for guidance for model users to ensure consistent Bioaerosol modelling practices.