A case study of airborne culturable microorganisms in a poultry
slaughterhouse in Styria, Austria |
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Authors: | Doris Haas Josefa Posch Susanne Schmidt Gilda Wüst Wolf Sixl Gebhard Feierl Egon Marth Franz Ferdinand Reinthaler |
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Institution: | 1. Institute of Hygiene, Medical University of Graz, Universit?tsplatz 4, A-8010, Graz, Austria
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Abstract: | According to Council Directive 90/679/EEC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents
at work, nature, degree and duration of workers’ exposure to microorganisms must be determined. This directive has already
been implemented in waste and wastewater management. The present case study investigates concentration and composition of
microorganisms in a poultry slaughterhouse in the State of Styria, Austria. From June to November 2002, measurements were
conducted at the sampling sites ‘moving rail’ and ‘gall bladder separation’ using the Andersen six stage viable cascade impactor
and the SKC BioSampler. The results of this study were compared with other previous studies which were carried out using the
same device (ACFM) and the same measurement methods. At the processing area of the ‘moving rail’, the median concentration
of airborne mesophilic bacteria was 1.7×106 CFU/m3 which is 8000 times higher than the background concentration of residential areas (approx. 210 CFU/m3). The airborne microorganisms concentration was 1.7×104 CFU/m3 at composting plants which is 100 times lower than at a workplace of a poultry slaughterhouse. The study shows that poultry
slaughterhouse employees are exposed to high concentrations of airborne microorganisms throughout the entire work time without
using a respiratory protective device. For the protection of employees against airborne biological agents, relevant measures
should be introduced to this field of work. |
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Keywords: | airborne microorganisms bacteria Campylobacter fungi poultry slaughterhouse |
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