Exposure to airborne microorganisms, dust and endotoxin during processing of valerian roots on farms

• Autorzy: Skorska C. , Sitkowska J. , Krysinska-Traczyk E. , Cholewa G. , Dutkiewicz J.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of microorganisms, dust and endotoxin in the air during various stages of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) roots processing by herb farmers and to examine the species composition of airborne microflora. Air samples were collected on glass fibre filters by use of personal samplers on 15 farms owned by valerian cultivating farmers, located in Lublin province (eastern Poland). The concentrations of total viable microorganisms (bacteria + fungi) in the air showed a marked variability and were within a range of 0.95-7,966.6 × 103 cfu/m3. Though median was relatively low (10.75 × 103 cfu/m3), on 4 farms the concentrations exceeded the level of 105 cfu/m3 and on 1 farm the level of 106 cfu/m3. During the processing of valerian roots, distinct changes could be observed in the composition of airborne microflora. In the first stages of processing, the freshly dug and washed roots until shaking in the drying room, the most numerous were Gram-negative bacteria of the family Pseudomonadaceae (mostly Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Pseudomonas fluorescens). After drying, the dominant organisms were thermo-resistant endospore-forming bacilli (Bacillus spp.) and fungi, among which prevailed Aspergillus fumigatus. Altogether, 29 species or genera of bacteria and 19 species or genera of fungi were identified in the farm air during valerian processing, of these, 10 and 12 species or genera respectively were reported as having allergenic and/or immunotoxic properties. The concentrations of airborne dust and endotoxin on the examined farms were very large and ranged from 10.0-776.7 mg/m3, and from 0.15-24,448.2 µg/m3, respectively (medians 198.3 mg/m3 and 40.48 µg/m3). In conclusion, farmers cultivating valerian could be exposed during processing of valerian roots to large concentrations of airborne microorganisms, dust and endotoxin posing a risk of work-related respiratory disease.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

airborne microorganism; processing; organic dust; dust; fungi; bioaerosol; Valeriana officinalis; root; valerian; endotoxin; occupational exposure; herb farm; bacteria; farm; farmer

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
• Rocznik: 2005
• Tom: 12
• Numer: 1
• Opis fizyczny: p.119-126,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Skorska C.

• Institute of Agricultural Medicine, Lublin, Poland

autor

Sitkowska J.

autor

Krysinska-Traczyk E.

autor

Cholewa G.

autor

Dutkiewicz J.

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