Moreira, SílviaDias, MartaGomes, BiancaCervantes, RenataPena, PedroViegas, Carla2022-12-142024-12-142023Moreira S, Dias M, Gomes B, Cervantes R, Pena P, Viegas C. Bioburden assessment in Lisbon groceries. In: Arezes PM, Baptista JS, Melo RB, Castelo Branco J, Carneiro P, Colim A, et al, editors. Occupational and environmental safety and health IV: studies in systems, decision and control. Vol. 449. Cham: Springer; 2023. p. 121-7.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/15148FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.Objective: 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.engOccupational healthOccupational exposureBioburdenOccupational exposure assessmentGroceryCritical workplacePortugalLisboaFCT_UIDB/05608/2020FCT_UIDP/05608/2020book part10.1007/978-3-031-12547-8_11