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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
A exposição ocupacional a diversos fatores de risco, como os riscos físicos,
químicos e biológicos, tem vindo a aumentar a prevalência de doenças do foro
respiratório, bem como de cancro. Os motoristas de táxis são um grupo
profissional que trabalham num ambiente bastante complexo. O sistema de
aquecimento, ventilação e ar condicionado é bastante utilizado para garantir um
maior conforto térmico, no entanto, pode ser uma potencial fonte de
contaminação do ambiente interior do habitáculo, dado que a proliferação de
microrganismos, como fungos e bactérias, nos filtros do sistema AVAC é uma
realidade. Este fator poderá pôr em risco a saúde dos seus ocupantes. Com isto
em mente, o objetivo deste estudo passa por caracterizar a contaminação
microbiana nestes filtros e estimar a exposição dos motoristas de táxis a
microrganismos. Para isto, foram recolhidos filtros de táxis que operam nos
arredores de Lisboa, bem como de veículos controlo. Os filtros foram extraídos
e inoculados em meios de cultura de MEA, DG-18, TSA e VRBA, para análise
do microbiota. Complementarmente, procedeu-se à deteção molecular de
Aspergillus sections, através de qPCR. Aspergillus sp. foi isolado em
percentagens significativas, e foi detetada a proliferação de estirpes toxigénicas.
Por outro lado, não foi possível observar contaminação bacteriana a Gramnegativa nos filtros analisados. Os resultados obtidos sugerem a necessidade de
aumentar a periodicidade de substituição dos filtros, tanto nos táxis, como nos
veículos controlo.
The occupational exposure to several risk factors, such as physical, chemical and biological risks, has been increasing the prevalence of respiratory diseases as well as cancer. Taxi drivers are a professional group working in a very complex environment. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is widely used to ensure greater thermal comfort. However, it can be a potential source of contamination to the cabin indoor environment, since the microorganism proliferation, such as fungi and bacteria, in the HVAC system’s a reality. This may endanger the health of the occupants. The aim of this study is to characterize the microbial load in these filters and to estimate the exposure of taxi drivers to microorganisms. To achieve that, HVAC filters from taxis were collected as well as control vehicles. The filters were extracted and inoculated in MEA, DG-18, TSA and VRBA for microbiota analysis. In addition, the molecular detection of Aspergillus sections through qPCR was performed. Aspergillus sp. was isolated in significant percentages, and it was detected the proliferation of toxigenic fungi. On the other hand, it wasn’t possible to observe Gram-negative bacterial contamination in the analyzed filters. The results suggest the need to increase the frequency of filter substitution, both in taxis and in control vehicles.
The occupational exposure to several risk factors, such as physical, chemical and biological risks, has been increasing the prevalence of respiratory diseases as well as cancer. Taxi drivers are a professional group working in a very complex environment. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is widely used to ensure greater thermal comfort. However, it can be a potential source of contamination to the cabin indoor environment, since the microorganism proliferation, such as fungi and bacteria, in the HVAC system’s a reality. This may endanger the health of the occupants. The aim of this study is to characterize the microbial load in these filters and to estimate the exposure of taxi drivers to microorganisms. To achieve that, HVAC filters from taxis were collected as well as control vehicles. The filters were extracted and inoculated in MEA, DG-18, TSA and VRBA for microbiota analysis. In addition, the molecular detection of Aspergillus sections through qPCR was performed. Aspergillus sp. was isolated in significant percentages, and it was detected the proliferation of toxigenic fungi. On the other hand, it wasn’t possible to observe Gram-negative bacterial contamination in the analyzed filters. The results suggest the need to increase the frequency of filter substitution, both in taxis and in control vehicles.
Description
Trabalho final de mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Análise e Controlo de Riscos Ambientais para a Saúde
Keywords
Exposição ocupacional Occupational exposure Caracterização microbiota Microbiota characterization Táxis Taxis Filtros ar-condicionado Air-conditioner filters Fungos Fungi Bactérias Bacteria Biologia molecular Molecular biology Aspergillus sp.
Citation
SANTOS, Mateus Lopes dos - Caracterização da exposição ocupacional ao microbiota em motoristas de táxis. Lisboa: Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, 2018. Dissertação de mestrado.
Publisher
Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa