Effectiveness of UV-C radiation in inactivation of microorganisms on materials with different surface structures.

Introduction And Objective: Ultraviolet light in the UV-C band is known as germicidal radiation and was widely used for both sterilization of the equipment and creation of a sterile environment. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of inactivation of microorganisms deposited on surfaces with various textures by UV-C radiation disinfection devices.

Material And Methods: Five microorganisms (3 bacteria, virus, and fungus) deposited on metal, plastic, and glass surfaces with smooth and rough textures were irradiated with UV-C light emitted by low-pressure mercury lamp and ultraviolet emitting diodes (LEDs), from a distance of 0.

Monitoring of enteropathogenic Gram-negative bacteria in wastewater treatment plants: a multimethod approach.

The wastewater treatment processes are associated with the emission of microbial aerosols, including enteropathogenic bacteria. Their presence in this work environment poses a real threat to the health of employees, both through the possibility of direct inhalation of the contaminated air and indirectly through the pollution of all types of surfaces with such bioaerosol particles. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria in the air, on surfaces, and in wastewater samples collected in four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).

Engineering surgical face masks with photothermal and photodynamic plasmonic nanostructures for enhancing filtration and on-demand pathogen eradication.

The shortage of face masks and the lack of antipathogenic functions has been significant since the recent pandemic's inception. Moreover, the disposal of an enormous number of contaminated face masks not only carries a significant environmental impact but also escalates the risk of cross-contamination. This study proposes a strategy to upgrade available surgical masks into antibacterial masks with enhanced particle and bacterial filtration.

Production of pro-inflammatory mediators stimulated by exposure of poultry house workers to airborne dust particulates.

Introduction And Objective: Poultry house employees spend a significant part of their work shift being exposed to airborne particulate pollutants. The aim of this study was to assess their exposure at different stages of chicken production cycle, based on quantification of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα) in nasal lavage (NAL) samples.

Material And Methods: The concentrations of airborne dust at 3 different stages of the production cycle (i.

Poultry house as point source of intense bioaerosol emission.

Introduction And Objective: Intensive poultry farming is usually associated with massive exposure to organic dust, which is largely composed of microbiological origin particulates. The aim of the study is to assess occupational and environmental exposures to airborne bacteria, fungi, and Marek's disease virus emitted by a poultry house.

Material And Methods: The concentrations of airborne microorganisms in a poultry house and its vicinity (250-500 m) at 3 different stages of the production cycle (i.

Filters of automobile air conditioning systems as in-car source of exposure to infections and toxic moulds.

The main component of an air conditioning system is air filters. Over time, the filters of an air conditioning system in cars can turn into sources of emission of microbiological hazards. The aim of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the presence of infectious and toxic fungi in the AC filters in passenger cars.

Seasonal prevalence of potentially infectious enteric viruses in surface waters below treated wastewater discharge.

Introduction And Objective: Enteric viruses are widely distributed in the natural water environment. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of potentially infectious adenoviruses (AdV) and rotaviruses (RoV) in surface water near treated wastewater discharge.

Material And Methods: Water samples were collected from surface water below the treated wastewater effluent discharge located near a wastewater treatment plant receiving sewage from an urban area.

Intensive poultry farming: A review of the impact on the environment and human health.

Poultry farming is one of the most efficient animal husbandry methods and it provides nutritional security to a significant number of the world population. Using modern intensive farming techniques, global production has reached 133.4 mil.

Across-Shift Changes in Viable Nasal Bacteria among Waste-Incineration Plant Workers-A Pilot Study.

The aim of this pilot study was to assess the time-related changes in viable nasal bacteria concentrations among waste-incineration plant (WIP) workers compared to a group of office building (OB) workers outside the plant. In total, 20 volunteers participated in the study, including 14 WIP and 6 OB workers. WIP workers were divided into two sub-groups: supervisory staff (SVS) and maintenance and repair workers (MRW).

Review of biological risks associated with the collection of municipal wastes.

In many countries, the management of household waste has recently changed with an increased focus upon waste sorting resulting in lower collection frequency for some waste fractions. A consequence of this is the potential for increased growth of microorganisms in the waste before collection, which can lead to an increased exposure via inhalation for waste collection workers. Through a review of the literature, we aimed to evaluate risks caused by waste collecting workers' exposure to bioaerosols and to illuminate potential measures to reduce the exposure.

Occupational exposure to anaerobic bacteria in a waste sorting plant.

The study focused on exposure assessment to bacterial aerosols and organic dust in waste sorting plant. Samples were collected at different workplaces of waste sorting cycle i.e.

Microbial contamination of money sorting facilities.

Introduction: Money is the most common item with which we have daily contact. Circulated banknotes and coins can become microbiologically contaminated and act as both a source and a means of spreading such pollutants.

Material And Methods: The study was carried out in three money sorting facilities in Poland.

Size distribution of microbial aerosols in overground and subterranean treatment chambers at health resorts.

Purpose: to perform comparative analyzes of the size distributions of bacteria and fungi in the air of overground therapy chambers in Szczawnica sanatorium and subterranean inhalation chambers in Bochnia Salt Mine health resort taking into account influence of the season and presence of pathogenic species.

Methods: bioaerosol samples were collected using 6-stage Andersen impactor. Bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations and size distributions were calculated and isolated microorganisms were taxonomically identified based on their morphological, biochemical, and molecular features.

Adverse health outcomes among workers of wood pellet production facilities.

Introduction: Workers of pellet production facilities (WPPF) are exposed to high concentrations of wood dust and microbial pollutants. Such stimulation may lead to numerous allergic and toxic reactions, infections, and other non-specific syndromes.

Objective: To check the influence of individual traits of workers and characteristic features / factors of their living and working environments on the probability of adverse outcomes' appearance.

Microbial contamination level and microbial diversity of occupational environment in commercial and traditional dairy plants.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess microbial contamination of the air and surfaces at workplaces in commercial (CD) and traditional (TD) dairies.

Material And Methods: Bioaerosol (impactor) and surface (swab) samples were collected in CD and in TD. Bacterial and fungal concentrations in the air and on surfaces were calculated and all isolated microorganisms taxonomically identified, based on their morphological, biochemical and molecular features.

Nasal lavage as analytical tool in assessment of exposure to particulate and microbial aerosols in wood pellet production facilities.

Occupational exposure to wood dust and bioaerosols may lead to numerous respiratory tract diseases. We aimed to assess a degree of workplace contamination with dust, bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucans released into the air during wood processing in pellet production facilities and to check against this background the usefulness of nasal lavage (NAL) as analytical tool for assessment of combined workers' exposure to airborne dust and microbiological contaminants. In 10 pellet plants, the particulate (wood dust) aerosol concentrations were determined by using Grimm aerosol spectrometer and CIS filter sampler.

Thermal Stability, Fire and Smoke Behaviour of Epoxy Composites Modified with Plant Waste Fillers.

The influence of plant fillers on the flammability and smoke emission of natural composites was investigated. Epoxy composites with 15, 25, and 35 wt % of walnut and hazelnut shell, as well as sunflower husk, were prepared and examined. The ground organic components were characterized by grain size distribution, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and microstructure observations (SEM).

Across-shift changes in upper airways after exposure to bacterial cell wall components.

Introduction: To assess the across-shift changes of cytokine concentrations in nasal lavage (NAL) samples were collected from workers exposed to bacterial cell wall components present in organic dust in three different occupational environments.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted in 38 employees including 10 workers from a municipal waste sorting plant (WSP), 20 from a sewage treatment plant (STP) and 8 from an office building (OB), who were established as a reference group, not exposed to organic dust. Interleukins 1β (IL-1β), 6 (IL-6), 8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were examined in NAL before and after work shift on Wednesdays.

Microbiological air quality in office buildings equipped with dventilation systems.

Proper hygienic conditions in office buildings are of a high importance for both health and well-being of the employees. The aim of this study was the direct comparison of different ventilation systems on microbiological environments in 15 office buildings. The results showed that both bacterial and fungal concentrations in the naturally ventilated office buildings were between 70 and 1600 cfu/m , while in the offices equipped with air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems, concentrations were lower, that is, between 10 and 530 cfu/m and 20 and 410 cfu/m , respectively.

Anaerobic bacteria in wastewater treatment plant.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess exposure to anaerobic bacteria released into air from sewage and sludge at workplaces from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

Methods: Samples of both sewage and sludge were collected at six sampling points and bioaerosol samples were additionally collected (with the use of a 6-stage Andersen impactor) at ten workplaces covering different stages of the technological process. Qualitative identification of all isolated strains was performed using the biochemical API 20A test.

[Assessment of fungal aerosol exposure at selected workplaces contaminated with organic dust of different origin].

Background: In recent years, the number of people suffering from diseases caused by fungi has been increasing. However, knowledge of the biodiversity of fungal pathogens in the work environment is still insufficient. The aim of this work was to evaluate the exposure to fungi being disseminated in the air of workplaces contaminated with organic dust of plant and animal origin.