Browsing by Author "Valois, Isabelle"
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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.
- Microbial contamination and metabolite exposure assessment during waste and recyclable material collectionPublication . Salambanga, Fabiola R. D.; Wingert, Loïc; Valois, Isabelle; Lacombe, Nancy; Gouin, François; Trépanier, Julien; Debia, Maximilien; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Twarużek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Dias, Marta; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, Carla; Marchand, GenevièveWaste workers are exposed to bioaerosols when handling, lifting, and dumping the garbage. Bioaerosol exposure has been linked to health problems such as asthma, airway irritant symptoms, infectious, gastrointestinal, and skin diseases, and cancer. Our objective was to characterize the exposure of urban collectors and drivers to inhalable bioaerosols and to measure the cytotoxic effect of air samples in order to evaluate their health risk. Personal and ambient air sampling was conducted during the summer of 2019. Workers from 12 waste trucks collecting recyclables, organic waste, or compost were evaluated. Bacteria and fungi were cultured, molecular biology methods were used to detect microbial indicators, cytotoxic assays were performed and endotoxins and mycotoxins were quantified. Domestic waste collectors were exposed to concentrations of bacteria and endotoxins above the recommended limits, and Aspergillus section Fumigati was detected at critical concentrations in their breathing zones. Cytotoxic effects were observed in many samples, demonstrating the potential health risk for these workers. This study establishes evidence that waste workers are exposed to microbial health risks during collection. It also demonstrates the relevance of cytotoxic assays in documenting the general toxic risk found in air samples. Our results also suggest that exposures differ depending on the type of waste, job title, and discharge/unloading locations.