Multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria in landfill bioaerosols: Environmental conditions and biological risk assessment*

Landfills, as well as other waste management facilities are well-known bioaerosols sources. These places may foment antibiotic-resistance in bacterial bioaerosol (A.R.B.) due to inadequate pharmaceutical waste disposal. This issue may foster the necessity of using last-generation antibiotics with extra costs in the health care system, and deaths. The aim of this study was to reveal the multi-antibiotic resistant bacterial bioaerosol emitted by a sanitary landfill and the surrounding area. We evaluated the influence of environmental conditions in the occurrence of A.R.B. and biological risk assessment. Antibiotic resistance found in the bacteria aerosols was compared with the AWaRE consumption classification. We used the BIOGAVAL method to assess the workers' occupational exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacterial bioaerosols in the landfill. This study confirmed the multiantibiotic resistant in bacterial bioaerosol in a landfill and in the surrounding area. Obtained mean concentrations of bacterial bioaerosols, as well as antibiotic-resistant in bacterial bioaerosol (A.R.B.), were high, especially for fine particles that may be a threat for human health. Results suggest the possible risk of antibiotic-resistance interchange between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species in the landfill facilities, thus promoting antibiotic multi-resistance genes spreading into the environment.

Automated summary

This study revealed the presence of multi-antibiotic resistant bacterial bioaerosols emitted by a landfill and the surrounding area, highlighting the potential impact of bacterial bioaerosols on public health. The findings suggest the high concentrations of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in bioaerosols, especially for fine particles, which pose a threat to human health. Additionally, there is a concern about the possible spread of antibiotic multi-resistance genes in the environment due to interchange between pathogenic and non-pathogenic species in landfill facilities.