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The evaluation of microbial contamination in the working environment of tanneries

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Skóra J., Gutarowska B., Stępień Ł., Otlewska A., Pielech-Przybylska K.

Medycyna Pracy

2014

vol. 65

issue 1

15-32

Wstęp: Z powodu przetwarzania surowca zwierzęcego w garbarniach pracownicy mogą być narażeni na czynniki biologiczne. Celem badań była ocena zanieczyszczenia mikrobiologicznego w garbarniach o różnej specyfice produkcji. Określono także ryzyko zdrowotne w oparciu o rozkład ziarninowy bioaerozolu. Ponadto wyznaczono wskaźniki zanieczyszczenia mikrobiologicznego w garbarniach. Materiał i metody: Badania przeprowadzono w dwóch rodzajach garbarni - przetwarzających skóry surowe i chromowo garbowane (wet blue). Powietrze pobierano próbnikiem MAS-100 Eco, próby ze skór, używając płytek odciskowych RODAC Envirocheck® i metody tamponowej, a liczbę mikroorganizmów określano metodą hodowlaną. Rozkład cząstek biooaerozolu wykonano z użyciem 6-stopniowego impaktora Andersena. Identyfikację drobnoustrojów wykonano metodą mikroskopową i testami biochemicznymi. Wskaźniki zanieczyszczenia mikrobiologicznego identyfikowano, analizując odpowiednio dla bakterii i grzybów sekwencje 16S RNA i ITS1/2 rDNA. Wyniki: Liczebność mikroorganizmów w powietrzu w garbarniach kształtowała się w granicach 1,2×10³-3,7×10³ jtk/m³. Skóry były zanieczyszczone mikrobiologicznie w granicach 7,6×10¹-5,5×10⁵ jtk/100 cm². W garbarniach dominowały liczbowo bakterie (w powietrzu: 51-92%, na skórach: 60-100%). Wskazano na zagrożenie zdrowotne wynikające z obecności cząstek bioaerozolu grzybowego o rozmiarach 0,65-2,1 μm. Wyznaczono 11 gatunków drobnoustrojów wskaźnikowych dla garbarni: B. pumilus, B. subtilis, B. cereus, C. lubricantis, C. cladosporioides, P. commune, P. echinulatum, P. chrysogenum, P. crustosum, C. parapsilosis i C. albidus. Wnioski: Ocena zanieczyszczenia mikrobiologicznego w garbarniach wykazała podwyższoną liczebność bakterii i grzybów w powietrzu w stosunku do powietrza atmosferycznego, co świadczy o występowaniu narażenia inhalacyjnego pracowników. Wyznaczone wskaźniki zanieczyszczenia mikrobiologicznego w garbarni są związane ze specyfiką środowiska pracy i potencjalnie chorobotwórcze. Med. Pr. 2014;65(1):15–32

Background: Due to their animal material processing, tannery workers may be exposed to biological agents. The aim of the study was the microbial contamination assessment of tanneries with different production specifications. Health risk was estimated based on particle size distribution. Moreover, indicators of microbial contamination of tanneries were selected. Materials and Methods: The studies were conducted in 2 types of tanneries - processing raw hides and producing chrome-tanned leather. Air was sampled with MAS-100 Eco Air Sampler, leathers using RODAC Envirocheck® contact plates and swab method, microbial numbers were determined by a culture method. For the bioaerosols size distribution analysis, a six-stage Andersen sampler was used; identification was performed using microscopy and biochemical methods. Microbial contamination was identified by 16S RNA and ITS1/2 rDNA analysis for bacteria and fungi respectively. Results: The microbial number in the air ranged between 1.2×10³ and 3.7×10³ CFU/m³. While on the leather, it ranged between 7.6×10¹ and 5.5×10⁵ CFU/100 cm². Bacteria dominated in the tanneries (air: 51-92%, leathers: 60-100%). Results indicate that potential health risks arise from the fungal small bioaerosol particles presence (0.65-2.1 μm). Eleven indicator microorganisms were determined: B. pumilus, B. subtilis, B. cereus, C. lubricantis, C. cladosporioides, P. commune, P. echinulatum, P. chrysogenum, P. crustosum, C. parapsilosis and C. albidus. Conclusions: Microbial contamination evaluation in the tanneries showed the increased bacteria and fungi number in the air in relation to the outdoor air, which indicates an occupational inhalation risk to workers. The designated indicators of microbial contamination in the tanneries are associated with their specific and potentially pathogenic working environment. Med Pr 2014;65(1):15–32

Assessment of exposure to fungi in the heavily contaminated work environment (a solid waste sorting plant) based on the ergosterol analysis

100%

Kozajda A. I., Jeżak K., Sowiak M., Gutarowska B., Szadkowska-Stańczyk I.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

2015

vol. 28

issue 5

813-821

Objectives This paper reports on the results of the study aimed at application of ergosterol as an quantitative indicator of fungal bioaerosol present in the indoor air in occupational environment heavily contaminated with organic dust as well as its comparison with the culturable method. Material and Methods The study was conducted in the indoor solid waste sorting plant. Using Andersen impactor adapted to 1 plate at the flow rate of 30 l/min, indoor air was sampled in the workers’ breathing zone. Ergosterol was sampled using gelatinous filter (1000 l of air) and then analyzed by means of the spectrophotometric method. Fungi were sampled on malt extract agar (MEA) medium (3 replications: 2 l, 7.5 l, 15 l of air) and analyzed by means of the culturable method. Based on ergosterol analyzes, concentration of fungi was calculated. Results were given as the range assuming min. as 5.1 pg ergosterol/spore and max as 1.7 pg ergosterol/spore. Results The average concentrations of ergosterol in a working room (arithmetic mean (AM), standard deviation (SD); minimum–maximum (min.–max)) were, respectively: 2.16, 0.72; 0.85–2.92 μg/m³; fungi calculated based on ergosterol – 424.1×10³–1272.4×10³, 140.1×10³– 420.4×10³, 167×10³–1716.5×10³ CFU/m³, and culturable fungi – 13×10³, 9.7×10³, 1.9×10³–34×10³ CFU/m³). It was revealed that concentrations of calculated fungi were even 2 orders of magnitude higher than culturable fungi. Conclusions The quantitative assessment of moldiness by means of ergosterol measurement seems to be a reliable indicator for environments heavily contaminated with organic dust, where viable and non-viable fungi are present in high proportions. Based on that result, more restrictive (as compared to a similar assessment carried out by means of the culturable method) hygienic recommendations, especially those related to the use of preventive measures protecting the employees’ respiratory tract, should have been undertaken.

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1 International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

1 Medycyna Pracy

2 Gutarowska B.

1 Jeżak K.

1 Kozajda A. I.

1 Otlewska A.

1 Pielech-Przybylska K.

1 Skóra J.

1 Sowiak M.

1 Stępień Ł.

1 Szadkowska-Stańczyk I.

1 2015

1 2014

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The evaluation of microbial contamination in the working environment of tanneries

Assessment of exposure to fungi in the heavily contaminated work environment (a solid waste sorting plant) based on the ergosterol analysis