Browsing by Author "Pena, Pedro"
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- Are in vitro cytotoxicity assessments of environmental samples useful for characterizing the risk of exposure to multiple contaminants at the workplace? A systematic reviewPublication . Viegas, Carla; Pena, Pedro; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaIn some occupational environments, risk characterization is challenging or impossible to achieve due to the presence of multiple pollutants and contaminants. Thus, in vitro testing using the most relevant cell lines will provide information concerning health effects due to the co-exposure to multiple stressors. The aim of this review article is to identify studies where the cytotoxicity assessment was performed in environmental samples, as well as to describe the main outputs and challenges regarding risk characterization and management. This study is based on a study of the available information/data on cytotoxicity assessment performed on environmental samples following the PRISMA methodology. Different cell lines were used depending on the environment assessed and exposure routes implicated. The A549 alveolar epithelial cell line was applied in four studies for occupational exposure in the waste sorting industry and for outdoor environments; lymphocytes were used in two studies for occupational and outdoor environments; swine kidney cells were used in three studies performed in the waste industry and hepatocellular/Hep G2 in one study in the waste industry. Cytotoxicity assessments in environmental samples should have a more prominent role due to their contribution to identifying and better understanding the associations between co-exposure to environmental contaminants and adverse human health effects as a prioritization for risk management.
- Aspergillus distribution on waste collection trucksPublication . Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction: While better waste management is viewed as a critical contributor to reducing health outcomes and harmful environmental impacts, microbiological occupational exposure in the waste management industry is often overlooked, resulting in detrimental health effects on employees. Some waste workers, such as garbage collectors and truck drivers transporting the residential waste, spend part of their shift in a truck cabin and part of it in a workplace where organic materials are processed. The aim of this study was to investigate the Aspergillus spp. contamination present in 32 waste collection trucks (WCT).
- Aspergillus section Nigri in indoor environments: a silent sentinel for occupational and public healthPublication . Cervantes, Renata; Rodrigues, Cláudia; Pena, Pedro; Viegas, CarlaAspergillus section Nigri, a filamentous fungus within the Aspergillus genus, proliferates in organic matter-rich environments and produces dark-pigmented spores. While recognized for its metabolic versatility and industrial applications, Aspergillus section Nigri also presents significant public health concerns, particularly in environmental and occupational settings. The fungus is known to produce mycotoxins (Ochratoxin A (OTA); Fumonisins), which pose risks to human health, including respiratory disorders and allergic reactions. Its prevalence is notably elevated in occupational environments such as industrial facilities and laboratories, where favorable conditions (e.g., elevated humidity and temperature) facilitate its growth. This study aimed to assess the distribution of Aspergillus section Nigri across various indoor environments and evaluate its implications for public and occupational health. The research was conducted in eight different indoor settings, including nursing homes (n = 15), archives (n = 25), municipal waste collection vehicles (n = 168), grocery stores (n = 101), gyms (n = 67), cemeteries (n = 72), fire stations (n = 360), and coffee industry facilities (n = 58). A total of 866 samples were collected using active (Coriolis µ air sampler, Millipore) and passive (electrostatic dust collectors, surface swabs, and settled dust) methods. Fungal growth was promoted through incubation at 25 ± 2°C, and identification was performed using lactophenol cotton blue staining and microscopic analysis. The distribution of Aspergillus section Nigri will be analyzed across all sampled environments to determine prevalence and potential exposure risks. This study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance of Aspergillus section Nigri in indoor environments to mitigate occupational and public health risks. Prolonged exposure may contribute to respiratory and allergic conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations. Preventive measures should be prioritized to reduce exposure in high-risk settings.
- Assessing microbial contamination and particulate matter exposure in Portuguese poultry facilitiesPublication . Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction: In poultry farms, the combination of feathers, feces, and bedding material appears to be critical to the development of pathogens enhancing the risks associated with zoonosis and its dissemination throughout the food chain. Currently, the prevalent airborne microorganisms in animal production facilities are poorly described in terms of quantity, composition, and risk category Identification and quantification on the other hand, would be useful for determining the causative agents and performing risk assessments. Aim of the study: This study intends to characterize microbial contamination in poultry pavilions through a multi-approach protocol for sampling and analyses.
- Assessing occupational exposure to fungi in woodworking environments: the definition of the most suitable sampling method based on a score indexPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Viegas, Susana; Viegas, CarlaWoodworkers may come into contact with various natural and artificial toxins that might harm their health. To assess that exposure, the sampling strategy is crucial to accurately determine the possible health consequences for workers and gather data on microbial viability. It has been suggested that using scoring rubrics in performance assessments has several benefits, such as enhanced scoring uniformity, allowing correct evaluation of difficult abilities, and learning promotion. This evaluation aims to generate a score that will offer current data to determine the best sampling technique for occupational exposure to fungal contamination.
- Assessing the impact of climate change on indoor fungal contamination in Lisbon Metropolitan Area primary schools: a comprehensive studyPublication . Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Viegas, CarlaThe increasing occurrence of severe weather events caused by global climate change raises concerns about indoor fungi. These changes can potentially alter fungal communities, promoting resistant strains, and intensifying mycotoxin production, having significant implications for human health. In educational settings, inadequate ventilation and high moisture levels amplify indoor fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination, posing a health risk that contributes to respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions in children and school staff. Our research explores the complex relationship between climate change and fungal diseases, highlighting the importance of temperature and moisture in driving fungal growth and mycotoxin production. This project focuses on the Lisbon metropolitan area and aims to assess the indoor levels of contamination and human exposure to azole-resistant fungi and mycotoxins in primary schools. The objective of this investigation is to carry out a comprehensive microbial characterization of the exposure to fungal contamination in primary educational institutions and to achieve that goal a comprehensive sampling campaign was employed, by the use of active and passive sampling methods and material collection from schools. Air samples utilizing the MAS-100 device, which collected 400L at a flow rate of 200 L/min, and the Anderson six-stage device, which collected 200L at a flow rate of 28.3 L/min were performed. Additionally, we collected samples of mops and surface swabs, and samples of settled dust through vacuuming and EDC, located in the sampling sites at 1.5 m height for 30 days, and collected during approximately 30 days. The samples will be analysed by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) incubated at 27ºC and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18), incubated at 27ºC and 37ºC for 6 days. We will also be performing molecular detection of the selected fungal sections (Aspergillus sections Circumdati, Flavi, Fumigati, and Nidulantes). To evaluate the degree of mycotoxin contamination in school environments, we will employ high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the presence of 38 different mycotoxins. The preliminary results that will be presented are specifically related to the active air sampling. The ultimate objective is to provide essential insights for the development of effective risk management strategies that safeguard the health of school children and personnel in the face of growing fungal threats.
- Assessment of Portuguese fitness centers: bridging the knowledge gap on harmful microbial contamination with focus on fungiPublication . Viegas, Carla; Peixoto, Cátia; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, Simone; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana AranhaThe lack of knowledge regarding the extent of microbial contamination in Portuguese fitness centers (FC) puts attendees and athletes at risk for bioaerosol exposure. This study intends to characterize microbial contamination in Portuguese FC by passive sampling methods: electrostatic dust collectors (EDC) (N=39), settled dust (N=8), vacuum filters (N=8), and used cleaning mops (N=12). The obtained extracts were plated in selective culture media for fungi and bacteria. Filters, EDC, and mop sample extracts were also screened for antifungal resistance and used for the molecular detection of the selected Aspergillus sections. The detection of mycotoxins was conducted using a high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) system and to determine the cytotoxicity of microbial contaminants recovered by passive sampling, HepG2 (human liver carcinoma) and A549 (human alveolar epithelial) cells were employed. The results reinforce the use of passive sampling methods to identify the most critical areas and identify environmental factors that influence microbial contamination, namely having a swimming pool. The cardio fitness area presented the highest median value of total bacteria (TSA: 9.69x102 CFU.m-2.day-1) and Gram-negative bacteria (VRBA: 1.23 CFU.m-2.day-1), while for fungi it was the open space area, with 1.86x101 CFU.m-2.day-1. Aspergillus sp. was present in EDC and in filters used to collect settled dust. Reduced azole susceptibility was observed in filters, EDC (on ICZ and VCZ), and mops (on ICZ). Fumonisin B2 was the only mycotoxin detected and was present in all sampling matrixes except settled dust. High and moderate cytotoxicity was obtained, suggesting that A549 cells were more sensitive to samples’ contaminants. The observed widespread of critical toxigenic fungal species with clinical relevance, such as Aspergillus section Fumigati, as well as Fumonisin B2 emphasizes the importance of frequent and effective cleaning procedures while using shared mops appeared as a vehicle of cross-contamination.
- Assessment of the microbial contamination in 'Do It Yourself' (DIY) stores: a holistic approach to protect workers’ and consumers’ healthPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Gonçalves, Sara; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Ałtyn, Iwona; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, Susana; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction: In “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) stores, workers from the wood department are considered woodworkers. Given the health risks associated with woodworking, particularly from fungi and their metabolites, this study aims to assess microbial contamination and health risks for both workers and customers. Methods: The study was developed in 13 DIY stores in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal. It employed a comprehensive sampling approach combining active (MAS-100, Andersen six-stage, Coriolis μ, and SKC Button Aerosol Sampler) and passive (electrostatic dust collectors, surface swabs, e-cloths, settled dust, filters from vacuumed dust, filtering respiratory protection devices, and mechanical protection gloves) methods to assess microbial contamination. A Lighthouse Handheld Particle Counter HH3016- IAQ was used to monitor the particulate matter size, temperature, and humidity. Results: The wood exhibition area presented the highest fungal load, while the payment area exhibited the highest bacterial load. MAS-100 detected the highest fungal load, and surface swabs had the highest bacterial load. Penicillium sp. was the most frequently observed fungal species, followed by Aspergillus sp. Mycotoxins, namely mycophenolic acid, griseofulvin, and aflatoxin G1, were detected in settled dust samples and one filter from the vacuum cleaner from the wood exhibition area. Cytotoxicity evaluation indicates the wood-cutting area has the highest cytotoxic potential. Correlation analysis highlights relationships between fungal contamination and particle size and biodiversity differences among sampling methods. Discussion: The comprehensive approach applied, integrating numerous sampling methods and laboratory assays, facilitated a thorough holistic analysis of this specific environment, enabling Occupational and Public Health Services to prioritize interventions for accurate exposure assessment and detailed risk management.
- Azole-resistance of Mucorales order in three occupational environments and potential health risks for workersPublication . Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction: Mucorales can cause severe infections, such as mucormycoses, associated with a great deal of morbidity. The frequency and clinical importance of these infections are common, likely due to the increasing number of immunocompromised hosts in the last decades. Triazoles, including the newer posaconazole, are alternatives to first-line treatment for mucormycoses, with azole activity reported as species-dependent. The emergence of azole resistance in the environment, including occupational environments, is of concern, representing a risk for exposed workers. Here, we present the distribution and screening of azole resistance of two common species of Mucorales in the environment of three distinct occupational settings in Portugal.
- Bioburden assessment in Lisbon groceriesPublication . Moreira, Sílvia; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Viegas, CarlaObjective: This study aims to characterize the occupational exposure to the bioburden of groceries workers and to identify the most critical workstations. Background To our knowledge, this is the first study performed in Portugal that intends to characterize microbial contamination in this specific setting. Method: This study was conducted between November and December of 2020 in fifteen groceries stores (M) located in the municipality of Cascais. Passive sampling methods (Electrostatic dust cloths—EDC) and surface swabs were used at three different locations (checkout, fruits/vegetables, and warehouse/dispenser areas). EDC and surface swabs were inoculated in four standard culture media, namely, malt extract agar (MEA), dichloran glycerol (DG18), tryptic soy agar (TSA), and violet red bile agar (VRBA) for further characterization. Results: The prevalence of bacterial contamination was higher than fungal contamination in both sampling methods. The highest prevalence was in the fruits/vegetable area regarding fungal and bacterial contamination. Conclusion: The sampling methods employed effectively identified the most critical workplaces regarding microbial contamination. Application This study will be useful for industrial hygienists since it is the first held in small grocery shops focusing on the occupational exposure assessment of microbiological contamination.