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Bioaerosols in composting plants: Occupational exposure and health Volume 7, issue 1, Janvier-Février 2008

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Authors
Département Santé & Environnement, SUEZ Environnement, Centre international de recherche sur l’eau et l’environnement (CIRSEE), 38, rue du Président Wilson, 78230 Le Pecq

Bioaerosols in composting facilities are a complex mixture of biological agents; their concentrations in air vary but can reach high levels. They may have infectious, allergic and toxic effects on human health. Assessment of the risk to workers of inhaling these aerosols is hampered by the limited data available about actual exposure, i.e., measurements of personal exposure, and by insufficient knowledge about dose-response relationships. There is sufficient evidence of an association between exposure to bioaerosols in composting plants and mucus membrane irritation of the airways and eyes, but not yet enough data to assess the risk of allergic diseases or the effects of long-term exposure on respiratory function. Although frequently mentioned, severe mold infection, especially invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, is unlikely to occur in this population. Future studies should endeavor to improve exposure characterization and long-term respiratory function monitoring for workers in composting plants.