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Exposure to airborne fungi during sorting of recyclable plastics in waste treatment facilities

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Černá K., Wittlingerová Z., Zimová M., Janovský Z.

Medycyna Pracy

2017

vol. 68

issue 1

1-9

Background In working environment of waste treatment facilities, employees are exposed to high concentrations of airborne microorganisms. Fungi constitute an essential part of them. This study aims at evaluating the diurnal variation in concentrations and species composition of the fungal contamination in 2 plastic waste sorting facilities in different seasons. Material and Methods Air samples from the 2 sorting facilities were collected through the membrane filters method on 4 different types of cultivation media. Isolated fungi were classified to genera or species by using a light microscopy. Results Overall, the highest concentrations of airborne fungi were recorded in summer (9.1×10³–9.0×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU)/m³), while the lowest ones in winter (2.7×10³–2.9×10⁵ CFU/m³). The concentration increased from the beginning of the work shift and reached a plateau after 6–7 h of the sorting. The most frequently isolated airborne fungi were those of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus. The turnover of fungal species between seasons was relatively high as well as changes in the number of detected species, but potentially toxigenic and allergenic fungi were detected in both facilities during all seasons. Conclusions Generally, high concentrations of airborne fungi were detected in the working environment of plastic waste sorting facilities, which raises the question of health risk taken by the employees. Based on our results, the use of protective equipment by employees is recommended and preventive measures should be introduced into the working environment of waste sorting facilities to reduce health risk for employees. Med Pr 2017;68(1):1–9

Thallium in color tattoo inks: risk associated with tattooing

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Karbowska B., Rębiś T., Zembrzuska J., Nadolska K.

Medycyna Pracy

2020

vol. 71

issue 4

405-411

BackgroundAllergic reactions to metals and metal salts used in tattoo pigments occur surprisingly frequently. For this reason, this study focused on the determination of thallium (Tl) in the samples of color tattoo inks. These inks are commonly used in tattooing processes worldwide.Material and MethodsThe samples were analyzed with the use of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The stripping anodic peak current of Tl was linear over its concentration range of 0.5–6.0 μg/l, which corresponds to 2.45×10–9–2.94×10–8 M. The determined value of the limit of detection (LOD) was equal to 0.149 μg/l (7.29×10–10 M).ResultsThe obtained results revealed a wide range of Tl contents in tattoo inks, i.e., 0.0029–0.4275 μg/g. The content of this metal varied substantially depending on the pigment used in tattoo inks.ConclusionsThallium was identified and determined in all tested samples. Its content depends on the country of origin but it does not depend directly on the color. The lowest content of Tl was found in the pink ink and the highest in the violet ink (from Israel), and a similar content was also found in the yellow ink (from Israel). The use of colored inks in larger quantities (a dense pattern and a larger surface area covered) may potentially pose a health risk. The danger of Tl poisoning from tattooing depends on the type of the ink (color) and its origin. As Tl is not considered a micronutrient, introducing such a Tl content into the body may be associated with a potentially harmful accumulation of this metal in body organs, causing various types of ailments and toxic effects primarily on the nervous, skeletal and circulatory systems. The obtained results suggest that tattooists may be exposed to the toxic effects of Tl in tattoo inks. The analytical data presented in the paper may constitute the basis for determining the acceptable limits of toxic Tl contents in tattoo inks. Med Pr. 2020;71(4):405–11

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2 Medycyna Pracy

1 Janovský Z.

1 Karbowska B.

1 Nadolska K.

1 Rębiś T.

1 Wittlingerová Z.

1 Zembrzuska J.

1 Zimová M.

1 Černá K.

1 2020

1 2017

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Exposure to airborne fungi during sorting of recyclable plastics in waste treatment facilities

Thallium in color tattoo inks: risk associated with tattooing