Assessment of waste workers occupational risk to microbial agents and cytotoxic effects of mixed contaminants present in the air of waste truck cabin and ventilation filters

Genevieve Marchand, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montreal, Canada
Loïc Wingert, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montreal, Canada
Carla Viegas, H&TRC – Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL – Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, In-stituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Liliana Caetano, H&TRC – Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL – Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, In-stituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed. ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Susana Viegas, NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Magdalena Twaruzek, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Nancy Lacombe, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montreal, Canada
Delphine Lanoie, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montreal, Canada
Isabelle Valois, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
Francois Gouin, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, Montreal, Canada
Ewelina Soszczyńska, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Robert Kosicki, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
Marta Dias, H&TRC – Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL – Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Saúde, In-stituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed. ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Maximilien Debia, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada

Type de document

Études primaires

Année de publication

2024

Langue

Anglais

Titre de la revue

Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association

Première page

145

Dernière page

162

Résumé

Workers in the waste-processing industry are potentially exposed to high concentrations of biological contaminants, leading to respiratory and digestive problems and skin irritations. However, few data on the exposure of waste collection truck (WCT) drivers are available. The goal was to document the microbial risk of the waste collection truck (WCT) workers while in the vehicle cab. Long-period sampling using the truck air filters (CAF) and short time ambient air sampling in the cab were used. The potential release of microbial particles from CAFs was also investigated since it could contribute to the microbial load of the cabin air. A combination of analytical methods also helped assess the complex mixture of the biological agents. Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Flavi, E. coli, Enterobacter spp. and Legionella spp. were detected in the CAF of trucks collecting three types of waste. The highest levels of bacteria and fungi were found in the CAF from organic WCT. The highest endotoxin concentrations in CAF were 300 EU/cm2. Most of the CAF showed cytotoxic effects on both lung cells and hepatocytes. Only one mycotoxin was detected in a CAF. The maximal concentrations in the ambient WCT air varied according to the type of waste collected. The highest proportion (84%) of the air samples without cytotoxic effects on the lungs cells was for the recyclable material WCTs. The results revealed the potential microbial risk to workers from a complex mixture of bio-contaminants in the cabs of vehicles collecting all types of waste. The sustained cytotoxic effect indicates the potential adverse health-related impact of mixed contaminants (biological and non-biological) for the workers. Overall, this study highlights the benefits of using complementary sampling strategy and combined analytical methods for a the assessment of the microbial risk in work environments and the need to implement protective measures for the workers. Implications: Exposure to microbial agents is a well-known occupational hazard in the waste management sector. No previous study had evaluated the cytotoxicity of ambient air and ventilation filters to document worker exposure to a combination of contaminants during waste collection. This research confirms the usefulness of ventilation filters for long-term characterization of exposure to infectious agents, azole-resistant fungi, coliform bacteria and mycotoxin. Overall, this study highlights the importance of using several sampling and analysis methods for a comprehensive assessment of microbial risk in work environments, as well as the need to implement appropriate protective measures for collection workers. © 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Mots-clés

Ramassage des ordures, Refuse collection, Camion d'enlèvement des ordures, Garbage collecting truck, Évaluation du risque, Hazard evaluation, Pollution microbienne, Microbial pollution, Effet cytotoxique, Cytotoxic effect, Contamination, Échantillonnage dans l'air, Air sampling, Cabine climatisée, Air-conditioned cabin, Filtration, Système de ventilation, Ventilation system

Numéro de projet IRSST

2018–0016

Ce document n'est pas disponible pour le moment.

Partager

COinS