Browsing by Author "Twaruzek, Magdalena"
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- Assessment of waste workers occupational risk to microbial agents and cytotoxic effects of mixed contaminants present in the air of waste truck cabin and ventilation filtersPublication . Marchand, Genevieve; Wingert, Loïc; Viegas, Carla; Aranha Caetano, Liliana; Viegas, Susana; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Lacombe, Nancy; Lanoie, Delphine; Valois, Isabelle; Gouin, Francois; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Kosicki, Robert; Dias, Marta; Debia, MaximilienWorkers in the waste-processing industry are potentially exposed to high concentrations of biological contaminants, leading to respiratory and digestive problems and skin irritations. However, few data on the exposure of waste collection truck (WCT) drivers are available. The goal was to document the microbial risk of the waste collection truck (WCT) workers while in the vehicle cab. Long-period sampling using the truck air filters (CAF) and short-time ambient air sampling in the cab were used. The potential release of microbial particles from CAFs was also investigated since it could contribute to the microbial load of the cabin air. A combination of analytical methods also helped assess the complex mixture of the biological agents. Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Flavi, E. coli, Enterobacter spp., and Legionella spp. were detected in the CAF of trucks collecting three types of waste. The highest levels of bacteria and fungi were found in the CAF from organic WCT. The highest endotoxin concentrations in CAF were 300 EU/cm2. Most of the CAF showed cytotoxic effects on both lung cells and hepatocytes. Only one mycotoxin was detected in a CAF. The maximal concentrations in the ambient WCT air varied according to the type of waste collected. The highest proportion (84%) of the air samples without cytotoxic effects on the lung cells was for the recyclable material WCTs. The results revealed the potential microbial risk to workers from a complex mixture of bio-contaminants in the cabs of vehicles collecting all types of waste. The sustained cytotoxic effect indicates the potential adverse health-related impact of mixed contaminants (biological and non-biological) for the workers. Overall, this study highlights the benefits of using a complementary sampling strategy and combined analytical methods for the assessment of the microbial risk in work environments and the need to implement protective measures for the workers. Implications: Exposure to microbial agents is a well-known occupational hazard in the waste management sector. No previous study had evaluated the cytotoxicity of ambient air and ventilation filters to document worker exposure to a combination of contaminants during waste collection. This research confirms the usefulness of ventilation filters for the long-term characterization of exposure to infectious agents, azole-resistant fungi, coliform bacteria, and mycotoxin. Overall, this study highlights the importance of using several sampling and analysis methods for a comprehensive assessment of microbial risk in work environments, as well as the need to implement appropriate protective measures for collection workers.
- Bioburden and mycotoxigenic burden in one Portuguese dairy: exploratory studyPublication . Viegas, Susana; Monteiro, Ana; Faria, Tiago; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Anita Quintal; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Viegas, CarlaDairies workers are engaged in activities including feeding and milking of cows and cleaning up manure on a daily basis. In this occupational environment, there are several environmental factors that can boost bioburden and mycotoxins, becoming not only an occupational health problem but also a public health risk. This study intended to characterize occupational exposure to bioburden and mycotoxins in one Portuguese dairy.
- Coffee production: an occupational setting where exposure to mycotoxins need to be recognized and preventedPublication . Viegas, Susana; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Oliveira, Filipe; Andrade, Enilton Tavares de; Viegas, CarlaCoffee production involves different processes until being available as a beverage involving several workers worldwide. Mycotoxin exposure may occur in this occupational setting since coffee beans are frequently contaminated with these fungal secondary metabolites due the crop infection by toxigenic fungi that commonly infect the plant during the various production stages. A study was developed in two milling industries located in Brazil aiming to evaluate workplace contamination with mycotoxins.
- Exposure assessment to mycotoxins in a Portuguese fresh bread dough company by analysis of dust and urine samplesPublication . Viegas, Susana; Assunção, Ricardo; Nunes, Carla; Osteresch, Bernard; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Grajewski, Jan; Alvito, Paula; Almeida, Ana; Viegas, CarlaOccupational exposure to mycotoxins can occur in many and different work environments. Critical workplaces for mycotoxins appearance have already been studied and nowadays it is possible to investigate that exposure to mycotoxins is likely through inhalation due to their presence in dust. This study aimed to assess occupational co-exposure to mycotoxins in a fresh bread dough company, an workplace not studied until now.
- Fungal and mycotoxigenic burden from feed applied in Portuguese aquaculturePublication . Viegas, Carla; Esteves, Liliana; Faria, Tiago; Pombo, Ana; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Anita Quintal; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Grajewski, Jan; Viegas, SusanaAquaculture is one of the most important animal husbandry systems, allowing a regular growth of 1% per year in the last three decades worlwide. As in other animal production, feed safety is an essential factor to assure the productivity of those aquatic activities. The aim of this study was to assess fungal and mycotoxigenic burden in seven different feeds, four filters from aquaculture recirculation tanks and seven water samples from the same tanks.
- Fungal and mycotoxin burden in Portuguese bakeriesPublication . Viegas, Carla; Faria, Tiago; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Gomes, Anita Quintal; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, SusanaFlour is a complex organic dust consisting of one or a mixture of several cereal grains (wheat, rye, millet, barley, oats or corn cereal) that have beeb processed or grund by milling. In addition, flour may contain a diverse number of contaminants, such as fungi and mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of fungal burden (fungi and mycotoxins) on 13 Portuguese artisanal bakeries applying active and passive methods as sampling strategy.
- Fungal and mycotoxins contamination in non-alcoholic beverages: the case of tea from Portuguese market and coffee beans from BrazilPublication . Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Oliveira, Filipe; Andrade, Ednilton Tavares de; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, SusanaAgriculture constitutes one of the most sensitive sectors that could be affected by climate change. Among the xenobiotics contaminating agricultural crops, fungi and mycotoxins are the most challenging since their presence represents an economic burden due to crop loss and serious health effects related to animals and humans with severe repercussions. This study intends to characterize the fungal and mycotoxin contamination in tea available in the Portuguese market and in coffee from two Brazilian industries.
- Fungi and mycotoxins occupational exposure: unveiling the contamination in different settings from PortugalPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaThis study intends to present an overview of the assessments of fungal contamination and mycotoxins performed in three different occupational environments (Firefighters headquarters - FFH; Waste collection trucks – WCT and; Cemeteries - CM). Active sampling (impaction and impingement methods) and several passive sampling methods (swabs, settled dust, settled dust filters, electrostatic dust cloths – EDC, cleaning materials,…) were employed. Azole resistance screening, the molecular detection of Aspergillus sections, as well as mycotoxin analysis were also conducted. In FFH microbial contamination didn´t comply with Portuguese IAQ legal requirements in most of the FFH, the widespread of Aspergillus section Fumigati in all the FFH was observed, as well as a trend of multidrug resistance with a focus on Fumigati isolates. Several mycotoxins (fumonisin B2, nivalenol, mycophenolic acid, and sterigmatocystin) were detected. Concerning WCT Aspergillus sp. (4.18 %) was one of the most prevalent species. Aspergillus section Fumigati was detected in 5 samples. Mycotoxins were detected in filters (N=1) and in settled dust samples (N=16). The mycotoxin detected in the filter was fumonisin B1 and the most detected in settled dust was mycophenolic acid. In what concerns CM, Aspergillus sp. presented the highest counts in DG18 (18.38%) and it wasn´t observed in azole-supplemented SDA media. Mycophenolic acid was detected in one settled dust sample. Overall, our study reveals that a comprehensive sampling approach and combined analytic methods are important assets in microbial exposure assessments. Furthermore, in all three occupational environments, mycotoxins were detected unveiling this occupational health threat.
- Microbial occupational exposure in e-waste recycling: biological hazards, their sources, and potential toxic effectsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Gonçalves, Sara; Almeida-Silva, Marina; Carolino, Elisabete; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaE-waste management is a major environmental concern that also poses serious risks to occupational health. While e-waste workers are exposed to a variety of chemicals, little is known about occupational exposure to microbiological agents. This study aims to fill that gap. For that purpose, two e-waste facilities were assessed: one battery-recycling facility (BRF), and another facility (SRE) dedicated to e-waste sorting and storage before sending it for different processing. Filtering respiratory protection devices (FRPD, 24 samples) and settled dust (13 samples) were collected using standardized sampling approaches, and analyzed by culture-based, chemical, and molecular methods. Workers also filled in a questionnaire regarding work activities and the use of FRPD. Microbial loads, fungal diversity, azole resistance, and prevalence of Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Flavi and mycotoxins (as surrogates of harmful fungal contamination) were determined. To estimate potential health effects related to exposure, the FRPD cytotoxicity was determined in human A549 lung and HepG2 hepatic cells. Microbial contaminants with pathogenicity and toxigenic potential were observed in FRPDs and settled dust. Aspergillus section Fumigati was widespread. The observed presence of Aspergillus section Flavi relates to the risk of exposure to aflatoxin B1 (a potent hepatocarcinogen). Four different mycotoxins were detected in 8% FRPD and 15% dust samples, including pathogenic fumonisin B1 and sterigmatocystin (below the limit of quantification). A low to moderate cytotoxic effect of sampled FRPD was observed, with human lung alveolar cells more sensitive than hepatic cells. No relevant azole resistance was observed, nor correlations between fungal reduced azole-susceptibility and fungal growth at 37º C or cytotoxicity. In summary, it can be concluded that this approach using FRPD and settled dust presents a promising potential for screening occupational exposure to microbiological contaminants in e-waste management. More studies in this occupational context should be prioritized to identify critical biological hazards and to support the implementation of appropriate health risk mitigation strategies.
- Mycotoxins contamination in Brazilian coffee industry: the need of a One Health ApproachPublication . Viegas, Susana; Oliveira, Filipe; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Andrade, Enilton Tavares de; Viegas, CarlaObjective: This work aims to characterize mycotoxin contamination in two coffee industries from Brazil using as sampling methods settled dust and coffee beans. Methods: A total of 58 samples from the two coffee industries were assessed (20 settled dust, 20 filters used to vacuum the settled dust, and 18 coffee beans) and screened for mycotoxins presence. In all samples, 38 mycotoxins were analyzed by HPL-MS ((HPLC) Nexera (Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan) with a mass spectrometry detector API 4000 (Sciex, Foster City, CA, USA). The mycotoxin concentration was calculated using external calibration. Results: In settled dust, all the samples showed contamination by at least one mycotoxin being the most reported mycophenolic acid and ochratoxin A. In addition, more three mycotoxins were detected namely: fumonisin B1, ochratoxin B, and zearalenone. Three (15%) samples showed contamination by three different mycotoxins and twelve (60%) by two mycotoxins. In the coffee beans samples, four mycotoxins were detected (aflatoxin B2, fumonisin B2, ochratoxin A, and mycophenolic acid) being the most reported mycophenolic acid with 4 samples (20%) presenting contamination by two different mycotoxins. Conclusions: The observed mycotoxin contamination highlights the need to consider this occupational environment as critical regarding occupational exposure to this risk factor. In addition, it also pinpoints a potential menace concerning food safety since mycotoxins are not degraded in the coffee processing treatments. Future research should include a One Health approach to tackle the different risks in this setting.