ABSTRACT
Se ha comprobado que la exposición a bioaerosoles se asocia con varios efectos sobre la salud, como enfermedades pulmonares y alergias. El presente estudio transversal tuvo como objetivo investigar la contaminación por hongos en varias superficies pertenecientes a dos industrias de alimentos. La toma de muestra se realizó en tres semanas, inmediatamente después de realizada la limpieza y desinfección y antes de iniciar la producción. Se recolectaron 400 muestras de superficie (vidrio, acero inoxidable, aluminio, goma y plástico), también se evaluó la eficacia del programa de higienización en el control de la población de hongos. Todas las muestras presentaron recuentos fúngicos <10 ufc/cm2, sin haber diferencias significativas entre los tipos de superficie, sin embargo, las superficies plásticas exhibieron mayor crecimiento logarítmico de los hongos. Se determinó que 49,60% de las especies identificadas correspondieron al género Penicillium. Aunque los niveles de hongos en las industrias estudiadas fueron inferiores a los niveles recomendados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, algunas medidas de salud ambiental como lavar y desinfectar las superficies después de cada turno de trabajo, y se recomiendan inspecciones periódicas para garantizar la seguridad de los trabajadores y de los productos que allí se manufacturan(AU)
It has been proven that exposure to bioaerosols is associated with several health effects, such as pulmonary diseases and allergies. The present crosssectional study aimed to investigate fungal contamination on various surfaces belonging to two food industries. The sampling was carried out in three weeks, immediately after cleaning and disinfection and before starting production. 400 surface samples were collected (glass, stainless steel, aluminum, rubber and plastic), the effectiveness of the sanitation program in controlling the fungal population was also evaluated. All the samples presented fungal counts <10 cfu / cm2, with no significant differences between the types of surfaces, however, the plastic surfaces exhibited higher logarithmic growth of the fungi. It was determined that 49.60% of the identified species corresponded to the Penicillium genus.Although the levels of fungi in the studied baths were lower than the levels recommended by the World Health Organization, some environmental health measure ssuch as washing and disinfecting surfaces after each working shift and periodic inspections are recommended ensuring the safety of the workers and the products that are manufactured there(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Colony Count, Microbial , Food Industry , Sanitation/methods , Environmental Pollution/prevention & control , Fungi , Penicillium , Plastics , Aspergillus , Rhizopus , Stainless Steel , Occupational Risks , Disinfection/methods , Alternaria , Food , Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities , Glass , Occupational GroupsABSTRACT
Bioaerosols are atmospheric particles with a biological trace, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and plant material such as pollen and plant debris. In this study, we analyzed the biological information in bioaerosols using next generation sequencing of the trace DNA. The samples were collected using an Andersen air sampler and separated into two groups according to particulate matter (PM) size: small (PM2.5) and large (PM10). Amplification and sequencing of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene, prokaryotic internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region and DNA sequence of a plant chloroplast gene (rbcL) were carried out using several sets of specific primers targeting animal and plant sequences. Lots of bacterial information was detected from the bioaerosols. The most abundant bacteria in several samples were of the Actinobacteria (class), Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Clostridia. For the animal detection using internal transcribed spacer 1, only uncultured fungi were detected in more than half of the hits, with a high number of Cladosporium sp. in the samples. For the plant identification, the ITS1 information only matched fungal species. However, targeting of the rbcL region revealed diverse plant information, such as Medicago papillosa. In conclusion, traces of bacteria, fungi, and plants could be detected in the bioaerosols, but not of animals using our primers.
Subject(s)
Biological Phenomena/genetics , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Aerosolized Particles and DropletsABSTRACT
@#Introduction: This study reported the concentration of bacterial and fungal bioaerosol at an animal house and hospital laboratories with the aim to compare the concentration levels at library and administrative offices. The bioaerosol levels between mid-shift (afternoon) were also compared to the concentration measured during pre-shift (morning). Methods: The NIOSH 0800 method utilising microbiological air sampler collecting airborne bacterial and fungal samples via impaction technique on Nutrient agar (NA) and Sabouraud Dextrouse agar (SDA) as culture medium, respectively. Sampling was done twice daily; before (pre-shift) and during working (mid-shift) hour. Results: The highest bacteria and fungi concentration was recorded at the animal house with median concentration of 2477 CFU/ m3 (IQR=121-2477) and 791 CFU/m3 (IQR = 379-2081), respectively. Higher-risked workplaces such as animal house and hospital laboratories have significantly higher bioaerosol concentrations compared to control workplaces such as library and administrative offices (p<0.05). Interestingly, there were significantly higher fungi concentrations during the pre-shift compared to the mid-shift, for both high risk and control workplaces. Conclusion: Animal research room had exceeded the recommended bioaerosol level of 500 CFU/m3, but all the other sites had concentrations below the recommended level. Appropriate control measures should be adhered such as practicing hygiene practices and housekeeping to minimise the bioaerosol exposure among the workers and occupants.
ABSTRACT
Objective To develop a micro-circumstance airtight cabin for in the study of biological aerosols detection with such functions as airflow control and temperature and humidity detection .Methods Wind speed sensors , temperature and humidity sensors , electrical control valves , high efficiency filters and the vacuum pump formed the micro-circumstance regulating system .The techniques of airflow direction control , temperature compensation , air pressure control and aerosol uniformity distribution were used .Numerical simulation of aerosol concentration distribution in the airtight cabin was achieved using Fluent software .The bioaerosol concentration in different locations was tested by experiments .Results The micro-circumstance airtight cabin consisted of an airtight cabin and a control cabin .The control cabin used a single-chip microprocessor to provide air supply and exhaust air to the airtight cabin in a seaparate exhaust mode and cyclic ventilation mode.It worked under a negative pressure condition .Through numerical simulation,the aerosols were distributed through-out the cabin after five minutes of generation and the bottom airflow arrived at the top .The distribution of aerosol concentra-tion was approximately uniform .Conclusion The micro-circumstance airtight cabin is suited to various bioaerosols testing research thanks to its negative pressure working without bioaerosol leakage .
ABSTRACT
The effect of continuous humidifier use on the bioaerosol concentration in an indoor environment was investigated. An ultrasonic humidifier was operated for 10 hr per day for 15 days in an apartment room. During this time period, viable bioaerosol samples were taken using a single-stage Andersen sampler containing culture media plates for bacteria and fungi. The culture plates were then incubated at room temperature for 2~7 days depending on the media. The counts for the air sample plates were corrected for multiple impactions using the positive hole conversion method and are reported as the colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m3). While the bacterial concentration measured using the tryptic soy agar (TSA) did not show any significant change during the first 3 days, the concentration increased from the 6th day (6979 CFU/m3) and reached a maximum on the 9th day (46431 CFU/m3). The concentration then decreased to 2470 CFU/m3 on the 12th day, at which point the fungal concentration increased rapidly to 14424~16038 CFU/m3. Also, while the fungal concentration showed a significant change until the 9th day of humidifier use, fungal growth was observed on the wallpaper and increased rapidly from the 12th day. However, the bacterial concentration increased rapidly after the fungi were removed by remediation. The major fungal species identified in the samples were Penicillium representing 34%, Aspergillus representing 31%, Cladosporium representing 24%, and Alternaria representing 1%. The results also indicated that a relative humidity over 80% was easily achieved with continuous humidifier use. Yet, maintaining a high humidity in a room can cause a rapid outbreak of microbial growth.
Subject(s)
Agar , Alternaria , Aspergillus , Bacteria , Cladosporium , Culture Media , Fungi , Humidity , Penicillium , Stem Cells , UltrasonicsABSTRACT
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade do ar em três categorias de ambientes hospitalares: unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) adulto, UTI neonatal (UTN) e centro cirúrgico de um hospital em Florianópolis, Brasil. Avaliaram-se a concentração de dióxido de carbono, a vazão e renovação de ar nas salas do centro cirúrgico. A concentração de bioaerossóis foi estimada em um dia de avaliação para cada ambiente. Não se observou relação entre a concentração de bioaerossóis e o tempo de uso das salas de cirurgia. A concentração média de bioaerossóis foi de 231 UFC.m-3 para fungos e de 187 UFC.m-3 para bactérias. Os ambientes avaliados atendiam aos valores recomendados pela legislação vigente. Os resultados permitiram avaliar criticamente essa legislação e apresentar sugestões para estabelecimento de uma resolução específica para ambientes hospitalares no Brasil.
The objective of this paper was to evaluate the air quality in three indoor hospital environments: a neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), an adult ICU and a surgical ward of a hospital in Florianópolis, Brazil. Carbon dioxide concentrations, exchange air flow rates as well as fungi and bacteria concentrations were measured in these rooms. Bioaerosol concentrations were evaluated throughout one-work day for each operating room. No relationship was observed between bioaerosol concentration and the period of use in the surgical ward. Average bioaerosol concentrations were of 231 UFC.m-3 for filamentous fungi and 187 UFC.m-3 for bacteria. All environments evaluated were, overall, in compliance with current legislations. Results allowed a critical review of the present regulations and suggestions for the establishment of a specific regulation for hospital environments in Brazil.