Effect of carbon filter usage period on the secondary emission of bioaerosols

Abstract

Increased concentrations of bacteria and fungi in the air at the waste sorting plants and landfills pose health risks for employees as well as inhabitants of neighbouring areas. The current study presents the results of identification and quantification of the microorganisms present in the airflow leaving the carbon filters installed in the Solid Waste Utilization Plant in Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland) in order to remove the odorous compounds from the sorting halls. Volatile organic compounds VOCs were identified by the sorption method using the solid Tenax TA sorbent and analysed using a thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system (TD-GC/MS). Before activating the system for neutralizing odours, VOC concentrations in the sorting hall remained at the level of 12.1-15.2 mg/m3 and after activation of the neutralization system total concentration of VOCs in the sorting hall decreased and after the period of six months was 4.3 mg/m3. The microbiological analyses included the following microorganisms: psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria from the coli group (Enterobacteriaceae family) and Escherichia coli, mold fungi and yeasts-like, Mannitol-positive and negative Staphylococci. Six months after the activation of the neutralization system, a marginal increase in all the studied microbiological parameters was observed, with the highest increase in Mannitolpositive Staphylococcus strains.