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A Study on the Biological Hazards Exposure for Waste Handling Industries in Korea  

Park, Hyunhee (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
Park, Hae Dong (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
Lee, Inseop (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene / v.22, no.4, 2012 , pp. 265-275 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution patterns and exposure concentrations of biological hazards in waste handling industries. Methods: We selected 3 recyclable waste sorting plants(RWS), 2 food recycling plants(FR), 1 landfill area(LA) and 1 waste incineration plant(WI). Total airborne bacteria and fungi were measured with single stage impactor and gelatin filters. Endotoxin and glucan were measured with polycarbonate filters in total and respirable dust. Results: The geometric mean of airborne bacterial concentration was the highest in FR($3,273CFU/m^3$), followed by LA, RWS, and WI as 1,334, 934, and $860CFU/m^3$. The fungal concentrations were 6,031, 5,052, 3,307, and $713CFU/m^3$ in RWS, WI, FR, and LA, respectively. By process, WI pit showed the highest concentrations of bacteria, fungi, and endotoxin, followed by inside of bulldozer in LA. The indoor to outdoor ratios of bacteria, fungi, endotoxin and glucan were 2.3, 4.0, 2.3, and 5.0 in RWS, 29.5, 4.9, 7.6, and 5.0 in FR, 5.3, 8.7, 26.8, and 9.5 in WI, respectively. Conclusions: We found that biological hazards, specifically bacteria in FR, fungi in RWS and endotoxin in WI pit and bulldozer at LA, should be controlled to prevent worker's respiratory diseases.
Keywords
Bioaerosols; Biological hazards; Waste handling industry; Endotoxin; Glucan;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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