ABSTRACT
Background: Fungi are one of the pollutant emissions from the composting plants which change in variety during the composting process. They are predominant in stabilization stage
Methods: This study assessed the thermotolerant airborne fungi based on NIOSH 0800 on 200 ambient samples from four composting processes and outdoor spaces in a composting plant
Results: The concentration of fungi during shredding, separating and screening was higher than 1000 CFU/m[3]. The level of fungi in all stages was higher than outdoor [P<0.001]. The highest concentration was detected in shredding [6749 +/- 1347 CFU/m[3]] [P=0.007], and the lowest concentration was related to screening [113 +/- 32 CFU/m[3]] [P=0.013]. The predominant species was varied during the stages. Yeast and A. niger were predominant species in shredding and separating
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the concentration of airborne fungi was decreased during composting process. The effect of these aerosols on indoor air was more than that in the outdoor space and workers at this site were exposed to high levels of thermotolerant fungi. Therefore, air-condition, ventilation system and safety operations such as respiratory masks are essential. The results of this study can be used in risk assessment