Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Liao, Jeong Hoon Byeon, Jae Hong Park
Summary: A size-selective bioaerosol sampler combined with ATP bioluminescence assay was developed for rapid and easy measurement of bioaerosol concentration, showing high correlation with colony forming unit in lab tests and slightly higher concentrations in field tests. This study confirms the feasibility of developing a sampler for quick measurement of bioaerosol concentrations, offering a compact device for measuring exposure to bioaerosols and an easy-to-use method for efficient air quality management.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Annemiek Maaskant, Isabel Janssen, Inge M. Wouters, Frank J. C. M. Eerdenburg, Edmond J. Remarque, Jan A. M. Langermans, Jaco Bakker
Summary: Indoor air quality is important for the health and wellbeing of animals. A study on group-housed macaques at a research center in the Netherlands evaluated the indoor air quality and found that the concentrations of inhalable dust and endotoxins did not exceed recommended limits. However, caretakers were exposed to higher levels than the animals and steps should be taken to reduce their exposure.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Pradeep Kumar, Mohd. Adnan Kausar, A. B. Singh, Rajeev Singh
Summary: The indoor air environment contains a complex mixture of biological contaminants, but there is currently a lack of awareness about them; this review examines the association of biological contaminants with human health and provides insights into different places where they are present; recent literature surveys have provided qualitative and quantitative data on bio-contaminants in various indoor environments.
AIR QUALITY ATMOSPHERE AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Brandon Hickman, Pirkka Kirjavainen, Martin Taubel, Willem M. de Vos, Anne Salonen, Katri Korpela
Summary: This study investigated the indoor microbiota composition of 295 homes in the Helsinki region of Finland, and found that fungi were primarily influenced by the outdoor environment, while bacteria mainly originated from the inhabitants. The presence of dogs, number of children, and use of firewood were significantly associated with the microbial composition.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
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
Environmental Sciences
Yinthe Dockx, Martin Taubel, Esmee M. Bijnens, Katrien Witters, Maria Valkonen, Balamuralikrishna Jayaprakash, Janneke Hogervorst, Tim S. Nawrot, Lidia Casas
Summary: The study revealed significant associations between nearby residential green space and indoor microbial diversity, with different impacts on bacterial and fungal diversity depending on the type of green space. Further research is required to explore the specific microbial taxa compositions underlying these changes and their potential health benefits.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zimeng Li, Na Zheng, Qirui An, Xiaoqian Li, Siyu Sun, Wenhui Zhang, Yining Ji, Sujing Wang, Pengyang Li
Summary: Indoor dust is a major carrier of indoor pollutants, including dust mite allergens and bacteria, which can cause allergic diseases. This study investigated the interactions between dust mite allergens and bacterial communities in different types of indoor dust. The results showed that Der p 1 and Der f 1 tended to accumulate more in flocculent fibrous dust, and the concentrations of dust mite allergens were influenced by factors such as floor height, years of housing occupancy, and living areas. The bacterial communities in the two types of dust were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nazima Habibi, Saif Uddin, Montaha Behbehani, Fadila Al Salameen, Nasreem Abdul Razzack, Farhana Zakir, Anisha Shajan, Faiz Alam
Summary: The airborne transmission of COVID-19 has led to a focus on bioaerosols. This study provides baseline data on the bacterial and fungal communities in indoor hospital environments dealing with COVID-19 patients. The findings highlight the need for regular surveillance of indoor hospital environments to prevent future outbreaks.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saif Uddin, Scott W. Fowler, Nazima Habibi, Sufiya Sajid, Sam Dupont, Montaha Behbehani
Summary: This study collected microplastic (MP) samples from indoor environments in Kuwait and found that different locations and types of air conditioning had a significant impact on MP concentration, while the presence or absence of carpets did not have a significant effect. This provides the first baseline data on MPs in Kuwait and highlights the need for standardized protocols for collecting MPs in the <= 2.5 μm fraction.
Article
Microbiology
Eva Lena F. Estensmo, Luis Morgado, Sundy Maurice, Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Ingeborg B. Engh, Johan Mattsson, Havard Kauserud, Inger Skrede
Summary: The indoor mycobiomes of daycare centers are influenced by occupancy and outdoor seasonality. The fungal community composition in main rooms differs from that in auxiliary rooms, with a strong seasonal pattern observed in the mycobiome composition.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eva Lena F. Estensmo, Synnove Smebye Botnen, Sundy Maurice, Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Luis Morgado, Ingeborg Bjorvand Engh, Klaus Hoiland, Inger Skrede, Havard Kauserud
Summary: The study analyzed the indoor mycobiomes of 125 daycare centers in Norway, revealing that indoor fungal composition is influenced by various factors including indoor and outdoor conditions, geographic location, and building features. Yeasts and molds were found to dominate the indoor mycobiomes, indicating a potential impact on children's health and emphasizing the importance of further research in this area.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pedro M. Martin-Sanchez, Eva-Lena F. Estensmo, Luis N. Morgado, Sundy Maurice, Ingeborg B. Engh, Inger Skrede, Havard Kauserud
Summary: This study conducted the first citizen science research of indoor mycobiomes at a large geographical scale in Europe, revealing significant differences in fungal community composition between indoor and outdoor samples, mainly influenced by house compartment and climate.
Article
Agronomy
Arafat Hanani, Franco Valentini, Simona M. Sanzani, Franco Santoro, Serena A. Minutillo, Marilita Gallo, Giuseppe Cavallo, Marwa Mourou, Maroun El Moujabber, Anna M. D'Onghia, Salvatore W. Davino
Summary: Endophytes, symptomless fungal and/or bacterial microorganisms found in almost all living plant species, can suppress diseases, stimulate growth, and promote stress resistance by forming symbiotic associations with their host plants. This study focuses on the cultivable endophytes residing in the sapwood of Apulian olives, exploring their occurrence variation under the influence of seasonality, geographical coordinates, and X. fastidiosa infection status. The findings reveal the stability of sapwood-endophytic culturable communities in resistant olive varieties, as well as the seasonal and geographical fluctuation of endophytes in olive trees' sapwood. The study also identifies the diversity and occurrence frequency of fungal and bacterial genera and recovers some sapwood-inhabiting fungal and bacterial isolates, which are known to be biocontrol agents of plant pathogens. Further investigation is needed to determine the potential role of these isolates in protecting olive trees against X. fastidiosa.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Victor Pertegal, Eva Riquelme, Julia Lozano-Serra, Pablo Canizares, Manuel A. Rodrigo, Cristina Saez, Engracia Lacasa
Summary: This study evaluates the concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi in the University Hospital Complex of Albacete (Spain), and identifies Staphylococcus as the most prevalent bacterial genus and Aspergillus as the dominant fungal genus. The lack of advanced technology for indoor air purification requires further research, and the integration of filtration, irradiation, and chemical gas treatment systems is discussed as a potential solution.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Gerrit Bredeck, Jochen Dobner, Burkhard Stahlmecke, Khanneh Wadinga Fomba, Hartmut Herrmann, Andrea Rossi, Roel Schins
Summary: This study aimed to compare the inflammatory response between Saharan dust (SD) and crystalline silica (DQ12), and found that SD has a higher pro-inflammatory potency. This study is important for understanding the mechanisms of respiratory diseases caused by desert dust events.
PARTICLE AND FIBRE TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Niss B. S. Nielsen, Lars Gunnarsen, Kim M. Iburg
Summary: This study analyzed the relationship between stress and lifestyles (as risk factors) and short-term sickness absence among employees. The results showed that stress, overweight, smoking, and dyssomnia were significantly related to short-term sickness absence. The study suggests that focusing on the major risk factors and reducing their number can help reduce short-term sickness absence.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
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
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Stephanie C. Hammel, Helle Vibeke Andersen, Lisbeth E. Knudsen, Marie Frederiksen
Summary: The use of PCBs in buildings and their persistence in indoor environments has led to current and elevated exposure in humans. A study in a housing estate in Denmark assessed personal exposure to PCBs and found that inhalation of contaminated indoor air was the major source of exposure, followed by dermal absorption. The study also demonstrated that exposure among residents in contaminated apartments was significantly higher than those in non-contaminated apartments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Helle Vibeke Andersen, Rikke Bramming Jorgensen, Lars Gunnarsen
Summary: Long-lasting elevated concentrations of semi-volatile organic compounds indoors can contaminate surface materials. These compounds can be sorbed and desorbed from indoor surfaces, potentially counteracting changes in gaseous air concentrations. A study investigated the impact of increased particulate matter in a contaminated environment and found that burning cigarettes increased the indoor air concentration of the compounds by almost 70%, while candles did not have a significant effect. The results suggest that smoking inside a residence with elevated concentrations of these compounds can further increase the air concentration due to its interaction with particulate matter.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Deen, Alice Clark, Karin Sorig Hougaard, Harald William Meyer, Marie Frederiksen, Ellen Botker Pedersen, Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen, Esben Meulengracht Flachs, Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde, Sandra Sogaard Tottenborg
Summary: This study investigated the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) for individuals living in indoor air contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The results showed that overall cumulative exposure to airborne PCBs was not associated with an increased risk of CVD. However, a higher risk of acute myocardial infarction was observed in residents exposed to high levels of PCBs. Additional adjustment for education attenuated the risk estimate.
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
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
Environmental Sciences
Sani Dimitroulopoulou, Marzenna R. Dudzinska, Lars Gunnarsen, Linda Hagerhed, Henna Maula, Raja Singh, Oluyemi Toyinbo, Ulla Haverinen-Shaughnessy
Summary: Buildings need good indoor air quality and thermal comfort, which are dependent on HVAC systems that may increase energy consumption. To achieve a balance between energy use, IAQ, and thermal comfort, scientifically sound limit values for indoor pollutants and indoor parameters such as ventilation, indoor temperature, and relative humidity need to be established and regulated. National regulations and international guidelines provide guidance on these parameters while considering energy saving.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Deen, Alice Clark, Karin Sorig Hougaard, Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen, Marie Frederiksen, Lauren A. Wise, Amelia K. Wesselink, Harald William Meyer, Jens Peter Bonde, Sandra Sogaard Tottenborg
Summary: This study found an association between indoor air exposure to PCBs and T2D incidence, but there was no clear dose-response relationship between exposure and risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(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
Per Axel Clausen, Vivi Kofoed-Sorensen, Simon Pelle Jensen, Bianca Xuan Nguyen Larsen, Alexander Christian osterskov Jensen, Marie Frederiksen, Peder Wolkoff
Summary: This study characterized aerosol generation in spray scenarios and found that cleaning work using spray products has been associated with adverse respiratory effects. The average mass generation rates of different spray products did not differ significantly, but the individual sprays had large variations. The distance of the nozzle to a cloth significantly reduced the concentration of the generated aerosols.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kasper Mikkelsen, Jordi B. Sorli, Marie Frederiksen, Niels Hadrup
Summary: A study in Denmark found that 10 out of 71 car cabin spray products may pose a risk for asthma induction. Specifically, two products had a risk ratio > 1 in the modelled exposure scenario, indicating a potential asthma-induction risk.
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)