["Microbial air pollutants--methods for detection of endotoxins, mycotoxins and MVOC"]. / "Mikrobielle Luftverunreinigungen--Verfahren zur Erfassung und Diagnose von Endotoxinen, Mykotoxinen und MVOC"

In the context of microbial emissions from composting facilities the methods for the detection and identification of the groups of substances released, i.e. endotoxins, mycotoxins and Microbial Volatile Compounds (MVOC) are discussed. With the aid of an overview of the different methods employed for the investigation of the single groups of compounds the current state of the art in this field is presented. In conclusion the enormous research needs, especially with regard to the mycotoxins and MVOC, are pointed out.

[Measuring the spread of airborne microorganisms in the area of composting sites]. / Messungen zur Ausbreitung von luftgetragenen Mikroorganismen im Umfeld von Kompostierungsanlagen.

Emission concentrations of culturable microorganisms were determined in the vicinity of three open or partly encapsulated composting facilities. Sampling was performed during so-called worst case situations which should promote aerial transport of emissions. Suitability of thermophilic organisms to detect an emitting influence of the plant was confirmed. Generally, concentrations decreased significantly with increasing distances from the plant at all three locations. At one plant 10(6) CFU m-3 thermophilic actinomycetes were found in a distance of 200 m. Partly increased concentrations could be determined even in distances above 500 m. Concentrations could vary within one hour to more than ten times.

[Claims of machine decontamination of dishes under hygienic conditions and of a small load in sewage--a contradiction?]. / Forderungen an die maschinelle Dekontamination von Geschirr unter hygienischen Gesichtspunkten sowie an eine geringe Belastung der Abwässer--ein Widerspruch?

To make sure, whether the hygienic requirements and the ecotoxicologic ones are excluding each other or not, several studies in dishwashing machines under practical conditions have been done. The requirements from the hygienic point of view have been fixed at a 5 lg--reduction of E. faecium ATCC 6057 in a mixture of bovine albumin, mucin and starch as interfering substances on well defined test items. The temperatures in the machine have been increased from around 50 degrees C to 60 degrees C-63 degrees C and a separate precleaning zone has been installed. Under these conditions a cleaner without any available chlorine could be used and that in a lower concentration as before. Furthermore a significant reduction in the parameter AOX and an improvement of the data H 17 and COD could be achieved at the waste water outlet of the machine and at the waste pipe of the whole kitchen without any reduction of the hygienic demands.

[Pollution of indoor air in large-scale kitchens and laundries by volatile halogenated hydrocarbons]. / Die Belastung der Innenraumluft in Grossküchen und Wäschereien durch leichtflüchtige halogenierte Kohlenwasserstoffe.

The study demonstrates that the agents used for dishwashing and in the central laundry are already slightly contamined with halogenated hydrocarbons and formaldehyde. Analyses of the washing lyes yield considerably higher concentrations of halogenated hydrocarbons. Especially in the dishwater a relatively high concentration of trichloromethane (chloroform) was detected. Obviously these halogenated hydrocarbons are also present in relatively high concentrations in the air of the corresponding working places. However, the concentrations of individual halogenated hydrocarbons and formaldehyde are clearly below the respective threshold limit values.