Survival of Microorganisms on Filtering Respiratory Protective Devices Used at Agricultural Facilities

Autor: Katarzyna Majchrzycka, Anita Jachowicz, Justyna Szulc, Beata Gutarowska, Małgorzata Okrasa
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Zdroj: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 16, Iss 16, p 2819 (2019)
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 16
Issue 16
ISSN: 1660-4601
Popis: Bioaerosol is a threat at workplaces, therefore the selection and safe use of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) is important in preventive activities. The aim of the study was to assess the survival of microorganisms on materials used for FFRs construction. The parameters for microorganism growth under model conditions were described using the Gompertz equation, model verification was also carried out using FFRs at the farmers&rsquo
workplaces. We found that the factors determining a high survival of microorganisms were as follows: moisture corresponding to the conditions of use and storage of FFRs at workplaces, the presence of sweat and organic dust
inorganic dust and addition of biocide in nonwovens limited the growth of microorganisms, resulting in a shortening of the stationary growth phase and decreased cell numbers (5&ndash
6 log). Dust concentration at workplaces was higher than EU occupational exposure limit values and WHO recommendations for airborne particulate matter. Microbial contaminations of the air (103&ndash
104 CFU/m3), settled dust (104&ndash
106 CFU/g) and FFRs (105 CFU/4cm2) during the grain harvest were high, the main contamination being bacteria (actinomycetes, Pseudomonas fluorescens) and xerophilic fungi. A high correlation was found between the number of microorganisms and the weight of dust on FFRs (R2 = 0.93&ndash
0.96).
Databáze: OpenAIRE