Article
Environmental Sciences
Elke Eriksen, Anani Komlavi Afanou, Anne Mette Madsen, Anne Straumfors, Pal Graff
Summary: Occupational exposure during waste sorting is associated with various health outcomes. This study compared the impact of work in fully automated waste sorting plants (AWSP) versus manual waste sorting plants (MWSP) on personal exposure to bioaerosols and related health effects. The results showed that workers at AWSP had lower exposure levels to inhalable dust, thoracic dust, and endotoxins compared to MWSP, but higher levels of fungal fragments, fungal spores, and actinobacterial spores. Microbial DNA exposure varied within and between types of waste sorting plants. Exposed workers also reported more common health symptoms compared to the unexposed control group.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Rajendran Vijayakumar, Faiz Abdulaziz Alfaiz, Esam S. Al-Malki, Tim Sandle
Summary: The study utilized a novel design for passive sampling of sandstorm dust and found that the airborne endotoxin levels were generally high during sandstorm events, with levels increasing with the severity of the storms.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marcin Cyprowski, Anna Lawniczek-Walczyk, Rafal L. Gorny
Summary: The study focused on exposure assessment to bacterial aerosols and organic dust in waste sorting plant. The waste reloading plant was found to be the most contaminated with anaerobic bacteria, while the control room had the lowest levels. The presence of anaerobic bacteria, including clostridia, was significantly affected by microclimate parameters.
JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pauline Loison, Xavier Simon, Philippe Duquenne
Summary: This article provides an expert opinion on the influence of the filter used for the measurement of airborne endotoxins. It reveals the lack of sufficient data and the need for further experimental studies to determine the appropriate filter type for endotoxin measurements.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hasan Saygin, Asli Baysal, Sevilay Tarakci Zora, Batuhan Tilkili
Summary: This study assesses the risks of plastic debris in settled house dust and highlights the serious impact and polymer hazard of microplastics. Polyethylene and polypropylene are the predominant types of plastic found, and humans are at a higher risk of exposure through ingestion, particularly infants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiahui Wang, Fangzhou Yuan, Haitian Ye, Zhongming Bu
Summary: Six phthalates were measured in settled dust on different indoor surfaces in 30 university dormitories. The detection frequencies for most of the phthalates were high, except for one. The study found that phthalate levels were higher in bedside dust than on table surfaces, suggesting a nonuniform distribution in the sleep environment. The simulation showed that the daily intake of one phthalate was the highest among the targeted compounds, and the contributions of daytime and sleeping time exposures to total phthalate exposure were roughly equal.
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Picornell, J. Oteros, R. Ruiz-Mata, M. Recio, M. M. Trigo, M. Martinez-Bracero, B. Lara, A. Serrano-Garcia, C. Galan, H. Garcia-Mozo, P. Alcazar, R. Perez-Badia, B. Cabezudo, J. Romero-Morte, J. Rojo
Summary: This study evaluated the accuracy of different interpolation methods using data from 6 aerobiological sampling stations. The moving mean interpolation method had the highest success rate, especially when considering risk classes. Errors were greater during periods of high concentration oscillations and gaps longer than 5 days. A new Variation Index based on the behavior of the pollen/spore season was developed to estimate potential errors before interpolation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Pedro Pena, Joana Morais, Anita Quintal Gomes, Carla Viegas
Summary: The study aimed to investigate methodologies applied for SARS-CoV-2 sampling and analyses in different occupational and indoor environments, with results suggesting that digital PCR technology may be the preferred method for future detection studies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Debananda Roy, Jayun Kim, Minjoo Lee, Joonhong Park
Summary: This study assessed the impact of Asian dust on human health and the environment by examining particulate matter, trace elements, and bacteria. The results showed that the concentration of particulate matter during Asian dust days was on average 3.5 times higher than non-Asian dust days. Elements from the Earth's crust and anthropogenic sources were identified as major contributors to coarse and fine particles. The study also found that the study area was severely polluted during Asian dust days.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Donghyun Kim, Ji Young Park, Dong Hyun Lee, Jae-Eun Lim, Hyo-Bang Moon, Sungkyoon Kim, Kiyoung Lee
Summary: This study investigated settled house dust (SHD) samples collected from 106 houses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, Korea, and found various chemical and biological contaminants in the dust, with the highest concentrations detected for organophosphate flame retardants, phthalates, alternative plasticizers, and trace metals. The study also identified significant associations between the concentrations of contaminants in the dust and factors such as the type and number of electronic appliances and combustion activities, while ventilation, vacuum cleaning, and wet cleaning or dry mopping were found to significantly reduce the levels of contaminants in the dust.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyu Liu, Edgar Folk
Summary: The study investigated the emission, sorption, and migration of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) from different sources to settled dust. It was found that dust with lower organic content and smaller size tended to absorb more OPFRs, but different types of dust did not significantly affect OPFRs emission into chamber air from the same source. The partitioning between dust-air favored less volatile OPFRs, while emission from sources favored volatile chemicals.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabiola R. D. Salambanga, Loic Wingert, Isabelle Valois, Nancy Lacombe, Francois Gouin, Julien Trepanier, Maximilien Debia, Ewelina Soszczynska, Magdalena Twaruzek, Robert Kosicki, Marta Dias, Susana Viegas, Liliana Caetano, Carla Viegas, Genevieve Marchand
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the exposure of urban waste collectors and drivers to inhalable bioaerosols and assess their health risk. The findings suggest that waste workers may be exposed to high concentrations of bacteria, endotoxins, and fungi during collection, posing potential health risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mutong Niu, Feng Zhou, Yi Yang, Ye Sun, Tianle Zhu, Fangxia Shen
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics of airborne archaea in Beijing during springtime, revealing soil as the primary source for releasing archaea into the environment. It was found that air quality and sandstorms can impact the abundance of airborne archaea, and dispersal-related neutral processes play a crucial role in shaping the structure of the archaeal assembly.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meng Gao, Xi Liu, Zhenzhen Wang, Hui Wang, Tristan Asset, Di Wu, Jun Jiang, Qianqian Xie, Shujuan Xu, Xiaoming Cai, Jia Li, Weili Wang, Huizhen Zheng, Xingfa Gao, Nikolai Tarasenko, Benjamin Rotonnelli, Jean-Jacques Gallet, Frederic Jaouen, Ruibin Li
Summary: This study proposes a mechanism for detoxifying endotoxins by engineering a dephosphorylation reaction using a synthetic nanozyme. The synthesized CeO2 effectively catalyzed the breakdown of P-O bonds in endotoxins, resulting in the attenuation of toxicity. Additionally, the CeO2 column exhibited a significantly higher treatment capacity compared to commercial resins.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
G. F. Akpeimeh, L. A. Fletcher, B. E. Evans, I. E. Ibanga
Summary: The study utilized bioaerosol exposure data to calculate the risk of infection for dumpsite workers exposed to Aspergillus fumigatus and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Workers engaged in different activities at specific areas of the dumpsite were found to have high risks of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui Lu, Ann Dorte Porneki, Jonas N. Lindgreen, Yanpeng Li, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: This study used qPCR to identify and quantify 24 different species or groups of genera in the PM1 and inhalable fractions of indoor air, showing a significant effect of season on fungal composition. Analysis of the data improved understanding of the relationship between microbial particles in PM1 and inhalable fractions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anne Mette Madsen, Pil Uthaug Rasmussen, Margit W. Frederiksen
Summary: This study investigates the use of electrostatic dust cloths, called E-Cloths, to study the accumulation of microorganisms and endotoxin on workers' clothes. The results show that E-Cloths can effectively measure the accumulation of bacteria and fungi, primarily from the work environment and not the workers' skin.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Signe Agnete Moller, Pil Uthaug Rasmussen, Margit W. Frederiksen, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: Work clothes can accumulate a large amount of microorganisms, especially fungi, which can be transported to the air via workers' clothes. Pathogenic and allergenic microorganisms were found on workers' clothes. Therefore, maintaining good clothing hygiene during and after work is crucial.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anne Mette Madsen, John Kerr White, Jeppe Lund Nielsen, Mehmet Emin Keskin, Kira Tendal, Margit Wagtberg Frederiksen
Summary: Breeding pigeons is associated with respiratory symptoms, as exposure to bacteria and endotoxin in pigeon coops may contribute to airway issues among breeders. The airborne dust in pigeon coops contained a diverse range of bacterial species, some of which could pose potential health risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Camilla Jul Bastholm, Anne Mette Madsen, Birgitte Andersen, Jens Christian Frisvad, Jane Richter
Summary: Within the last decade, fungal colonisations have increased in Danish museum repositories. This study characterised a fungal colonisation in a museum repository and found that low humidity fungi were the main issue, questioning the effectiveness of the environmental guidelines in preventing fungal growth.
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ana Sancho, Tina Birk, Juliane M. Gregersen, Tage Ronne, Sofie E. Hornslet, Anne M. Madsen, Katrine L. Bogh
Summary: This study investigated the variability of microbiota and protein content in birch sap throughout a complete tapping season, as well as the effect of freezing on its shelf life. The results showed that birch sap collected in the beginning of the season had a longer shelf life and contained less protein.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lars Andrup, Karen A. Krogfelt, Kristian Schultz Hansen, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the literature on the transmission routes of human rhinoviruses. The results showed that indirect transmission through hands and fomites is the dominant route of transmission in indoor settings, while airborne transmission is also a major route of transmission.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anne Mette Madsen, Fei Zhang, Yonghui Zeng, Margit W. Frederiksen
Summary: This study investigated the potential human exposure to airborne microorganisms, including MRSA, in a pigeon exhibition in Denmark. The results showed high concentrations of fungi, bacteria, and endotoxin in the air, with concentrations up to 200 times higher than outdoor references. The bacteria found in the exhibition were mainly species found in pigeon coops, indicating that pigeons are the sources of exposure. The presence of airborne MRSA highlights the importance of considering this environment as a potential place of exchange of resistant bacteria between animals and humans.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elke Eriksen, Anani Komlavi Afanou, Anne Mette Madsen, Anne Straumfors, Pal Graff
Summary: Occupational exposure during waste sorting is associated with various health outcomes. This study compared the impact of work in fully automated waste sorting plants (AWSP) versus manual waste sorting plants (MWSP) on personal exposure to bioaerosols and related health effects. The results showed that workers at AWSP had lower exposure levels to inhalable dust, thoracic dust, and endotoxins compared to MWSP, but higher levels of fungal fragments, fungal spores, and actinobacterial spores. Microbial DNA exposure varied within and between types of waste sorting plants. Exposed workers also reported more common health symptoms compared to the unexposed control group.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anne Mette Madsen, Katrine Uhrbrand, Victor Carp Kofoed, Thea K. Fischer, Margit W. Frederiksen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were associated with personal exposure to endotoxin in wastewater treatment plant workers. The results showed significant correlations between CRP and both endotoxinLimulus and endotoxinrFC. SAA was also significantly associated with endotoxinLimulus. Therefore, it can be concluded that airborne endotoxin exposure has a negative impact on the health of wastewater treatment plant workers.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karoline Kaergaard Hansen, Vivi Schlunssen, Karin Broberg, Kirsten Ostergaard, Margit W. Frederiksen, Anne Mette Madsen, Henrik Albert Kolstad
Summary: This study aimed to quantify current exposure levels of inhalable dust, endotoxin, and microorganisms among recycling workers. The results showed that production workers had significantly higher levels of exposure compared to administrative workers. Workers handling paper or cardboard had the highest exposure levels. Temperature did not affect exposure levels, but there was a tendency towards increased exposure to bacteria and fungi with higher temperatures.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Pil Uthaug Rasmussen, Katrine Uhrbrand, Margit W. Frederiksen, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: In this study, we investigated the microbial exposure in nursing homes in Denmark. The results showed that personal exposure to microbes varied depending on the profession, with higher concentrations found in staff members involved in care and nursing tasks. We also found some multi-drug resistant isolates, indicating a potential risk for antimicrobial resistance transmission in these settings.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elke Eriksen, Anne Mette Madsen, Anani Komlavi Afanou, Anne Straumfors, Alexander Eiler, Pal Graff
Summary: This study assessed microorganisms in personal inhalable work air samples from waste workers and found that bacterial and fungal concentrations varied significantly between waste sorting plants. A portion of the identified species were classified as human pathogens, and there were correlations between concentrations of certain fungi and self-reported adverse symptoms in exposed workers. The combination of culture-based methods and next generation sequencing contributed to the risk assessment of occupational exposure in waste sorting.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hanne Line Daae, Pal Graff, Oda Astrid Haarr Foss, Victor Carp Kofoed, Anani Komlavi Afanou, Margit Wagtberg Frederiksen, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: This cross-sectional study investigated the exposure of workers in drilling waste treatment plants to harmful substances such as airborne dust, bacteria, and fungi. The results showed that some workers were exposed to high levels of endotoxin, bacteria, and fungi, with exposure levels depending on the treatment technique. The drilling waste contained large concentrations of bacteria, and elevated concentrations of airborne bacteria were found near drilling waste basins. Additionally, several pathogenic bacterial and fungal species were detected. Therefore, drilling waste treatment plants pose potential risks to the health of workers.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pil Uthaug Rasmussen, Katrine Uhrbrand, Mette Damkjaer Bartels, Helle Neustrup, Dorina Gabriela Karottki, Ute Bultmann, Anne Mette Madsen
Summary: This study investigated whether nursing home staff members are exposed to MRSA and assessed their knowledge and compliance with infection hygiene guidelines. Results showed that although staff members were not colonised with MRSA, MRSA was detected in some facilities. Staff members expressed concerns about spreading MRSA and improvement suggestions included enhancing availability of protective equipment and education to reduce worry.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2021)
