Airborne microorganisms in a municipal solid waste recovery system.

The types of bacteria and fungi present in the air of a municipal solid waste recovery system have been characterized and the population densities estimated. Conventional methods were successful in enumerating coagulase-positive staphylococci, Klebsiella spp., gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and common indicator organisms.

Coupled-column system for quantitating low levels of aflatoxins.

The combination of Styragel and Florisil columns allows recovery of aflatoxins at low levels. Two switching valves between the columns reduce the analysis time and exposure to solvents. Florisil is modified with oxalic acid, allowing recovery of aflatoxins at levels below 500 pg.

Precision of the all-glass impinger and the andersen microbial impactor for air sampling in solid-waste handling facilities.

A method was devised to determine the precision of the all-glass impinger and the Andersen six-stage microbial impactor over a wide range of aerosol concentrations like those found in facilities which process solid waste. Simultaneous samples were collected inside a municipal solid-waste recovery system, and the data were treated statistically to estimate the precision of each air-sampling device. All-glass impingers yielded colony counts which indicated a linear relationship between samplers over an observed aerosol concentration of 1.

Coliforms in aerosols generated by a municipal solid waste recovery system.

Airborne total and fecal coliform concentrations averaged 2.1 X 10(3) and 9.9 X 10(2)/m3, respectively, inside an operating solid waste recovery system.

Photoacoustic spectroscopy with condensed samples.

A discussion of the photoacoustic spectroscopy of condensed matter is presented with emphasis on the role of the sample and the sample cell in the photoacoustic signal waveform. The spectrometer and sample cell are described, and an experimental evaluation of the system performance is given. Data on various samples are reported, and sample geometry, signal saturation, and scattered light effects are analyzed.