MonitoringAspergillus fumigatus aerosols from a composting facility |
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Authors: | Lawrence D Syzdek John H Haines |
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Institution: | (1) New York State Biological Survey, New York State Museum, 12230 Albany, NY, USA |
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Abstract: | The large, outdoor Islip Yard Waste Composting Facility on Long Island, New York was investigated as a source of airborne
fungus spores. The Burkard-Hirst volumetric spore trap was used for the first extensive sampling of small mold spores for
this application. Samplers were operated continuously from 21 August to 30 November 1992 in the facility and in a suburban
community about 540 m from the facility. A control site approximately 10 000 m from the facility was also sampled to establish
background levels of fungus spores. The facility site had higher average readings ofAspergillus fumigatus spores than did the community and both were higher than the control.A. fumigatus was the only fungus among 30 categories tracked that differed significantly between the facility and control sites. It was
also isolated repeatedly from the compost. Higher average levels ofA. fumigatus were measured in the community when winds blew from the facility, and also during times when the compost was moved or mixed
at the facility. No correlation was found between wind direction or work times andA. fumigatus conidia at the control site. The study shows that this compost facility can produce a measurable increase in the number of
airborneA. fumigatus conidia both at the edge of the facility and at 540 m downwind. It also demonstrates that the Burkard spore trap can be used
for monitoring small, airborne mold spores, but it is a difficult and labor intensive task. |
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Keywords: | Airborne spores Aspergillus fumigatus Burkard sampler Hirst sampler Compost Fungi |
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