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- 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.
- Insights of Portugal’s teaching staff microbial occupational exposurePublication . Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Viegas, CarlaEU strategies in education focus on risk factor awareness to promote a safe and healthy environment for the community. Health and safety promotion faces challenges due to the lack of adjusted policies for teaching staff. Teachers may be exposed to biohazards in schools, posing a health risk, which remains unexplored. Effective preventive measures and risk management actions require a thorough risk assessment. This study aims to conduct a microbial assessment regarding school staff personal exposure to bacterial and fungal loads.
- Portuguese groceries: a potential indoor environment to be used as public health sentinel for fungal and mycotoxins contaminationPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Moreira, Silvia; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaThis study aimed to characterize microbial contamination in Portuguese grocery stores. The research was carried out in 15 grocery stores in Cascais, Portugal. Electrostatic dust cloths (EDC) and surface swabs were used on 3 sampling sites: checkout, fruits/vegetables, and warehouse/dispenser. Fungal contamination was characterized by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05 %) and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18). Screening of azole resistance was performed by inoculation of EDC extracts' in azole-supplemented Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media, according to EUCAST guidelines. A total of 39 samples were screened for mycotoxin contamination. The highest fungal contamination was obtained from fruits/vegetables in swabs (76% MEA; 71% DG18). The most prevalent genera in swabs was Cladosporium sp. (54% MEA). Regarding EDC, besides Penicillium sp. (63%) the most prevalent were Aspergillus sections Circumdati (25%) and Aspergilli (35%). Penicillium sp. was highly prevalent in the checkout (61% SDA; 87% voriconazole), and warehouse/dispenser sectors (73% voriconazole; 52% posaconazole). Circumdati and Fumigati were the most prevalent Aspergillus sections in fruits/vegetables (73% and 64% in voriconazole, respectively). Four mycotoxins (fumonisin B1, B2, B3) were detected simultaneously in most of the 36 samples. Identifying the most critical workplaces in groceries concerning fungal and mycotoxin contamination is of utmost importance to human health (workers and consumers) when using a One Health approach.
- Microbial assessment in a rare Norwegian book collection: a One Health approach to cultural heritagePublication . Sequeira, Sílvia O.; Pasnak, Ekaterina; Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Twarużek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Penetra, Maria João; Silva, Inês; Caldeira, Ana Teresa; Pinheiro, CatarinaMicrobial contamination poses a threat to both the preservation of library and archival collections and the health of staff and users. This study investigated the microbial communities and potential health risks associated with the UNESCO-classified Norwegian Sea Trade Archive (NST Archive) collection exhibiting visible microbial colonization and staff health concerns. Dust samples from book surfaces and the storage environment were analyzed using culturing methods, qPCR, Next Generation Sequencing, and mycotoxin, cytotoxicity, and azole resistance assays. Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Cladosporium sp. were the most common fungi identified, with some potentially toxic species like Stachybotrys sp., Toxicladosporium sp., and Aspergillus section Fumigati. Fungal resistance to azoles was not detected. Only one mycotoxin, sterigmatocystin, was found in a heavily contaminated book. Dust extracts from books exhibited moderate to high cytotoxicity on human lung cells, suggesting a potential respiratory risk. The collection had higher contamination levels compared to the storage environment, likely due to improved storage conditions. Even though overall low contamination levels were obtained, these might be underestimated due to the presence of salt (from cod preservation) that could have interfered with the analyses. This study underlines the importance of monitoring microbial communities and implementing proper storage measures to safeguard cultural heritage and staff well-being.
- Cytotoxicity analyses of environmental samples: main findings from different studies developedPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Viegas, Susana; Caetano, Liliana Aranha
- Filling the knowledge gap: scoping review regarding sampling methods, assays, and further requirements to assess airborne virusesPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Beswick, Alan; Duchaine, Caroline; Kolk, Annette; Madsen, Anne Mette; Oppliger, Anne; Pogner, Clara; Duquenne, Philippe; Wouters, Inge M.; Crook, Brian; Viegas, CarlaAssessment of occupational exposure to viruses is crucial to identify virus reservoirs and sources of dissemination early and to help prevent spread between employees and the general population. Measuring workers' exposure can facilitate the assessment of the effectiveness of protective and mitigation measures in place. This scoping review aims to give an overview of available methods and those already implemented for airborne virus exposure assessment in different occupational and indoor environments. The results retrieved from the various studies may contribute to the setting of future standards and guidelines to ensure a reliable risk characterization in the occupational environments crucial for the implementation of effective control measures. The search aimed at selecting studies between January 1st, 2010, and June 30th, 2023 in the selected databases. Fifty papers on virus exposure assessment fitted the eligibility criteria and were selected for data extraction. Overall, this study identified gaps in knowledge regarding virus assessment and pinpointed the need for further research. Several discrepancies were found (transport temperatures, elution steps, …), as well as a lack of publication of important data related to the exposure conditions (contextual information). With the available information, it is impossible to compare results between studies employing different methods, and even if the same methods are used, different conclusions/ recommendations based on expert judgment have been reported due to the lack of consensus in the contextual information retrieved and/or data interpretation. Future research on the field targeting sampling methods and in the laboratory regarding the assays to employ should be developed bearing in mind the different goals of the assessment.
- 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; Twarużek, 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 contamination, fungal diversity, azole resistance, and prevalence of Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Flavi (as surrogates of harmful fungal contamination) and mycotoxins 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 FRPD 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 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 37 °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.
- Comprehensive assessment of occupational exposure to microbial contamination in waste sorting facilities from NorwayPublication . Viegas, Carla; Eriksen, Elke; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Aranha Caetano, Liliana; Viegas, Susana; Graff, Pål; Afanou, Anani Komlavi; Straumfors, AnneIntroduction: It is of utmost importance to contribute to filling the knowledge gap concerning the characterization of occupational exposure to microbial agents in the waste sorting setting (automated and manual sorting). Methods: This study intends to apply a comprehensive field sampling and laboratory protocol (culture-based methods and molecular tools), assess fungal azole resistance, as well as to elucidate potential exposure-related health effects (cytotoxicity analyses). Skin-biota samples (swabs) were performed on workers and controls to identify other exposure routes. Results: In personal filter samples the guidelines in one automated industry surpassed the guidelines for fungi. Seasonal influence on viable microbial contamination including fungi with reduced susceptibility to the tested azoles was observed, besides the observed reduced susceptibility of pathogens of critical priority (Mucorales and Fusarium sp.). Aspergillus sections with potential toxigenic effects and clinical relevance were also detected in all the sampling methods. Discussion: The results regarding skin biota in both controls´ and workers´ hands claim attention for the possible exposure due to hand-to-face/mouth contact. This study allowed the conclusion that working in automated and manual waste sorting plants implies high exposure to microbial agents.
- Mycotoxins presence in woodworking environments from PortugalPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, Carla; Viegas, SusanaWoodworkers may be exposed to a variety of chemicals and natural toxins that might be harmful to their health, including wood preservation products as well as metabolites produced by the microorganisms that grow on wood, such as mycotoxins. This study intends to characterize the mycotoxin's presence in two woodworking environments in Portugal.