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Bioaerosols from Compost Facilities

Bioaerosols from Compost Facilities. Ginny Black Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ginny.black@state.mn.us. Compost Process. Harness the activity of naturally occurring micro-organisms Commonly present in soil Cause the decay of leaves and other organic materials

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Bioaerosols from Compost Facilities

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  1. Bioaerosols from Compost Facilities Ginny Black Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ginny.black@state.mn.us

  2. Compost Process • Harness the activity of naturally occurring micro-organisms • Commonly present in soil • Cause the decay of leaves and other organic materials • Main difference is scale/concentration

  3. Aspergllus Funigatus Important in the composting process Recycles Carbon and Nitrogen Present everywhere in the environment 1 to 100 spores - indoor and outdoor air Continuously inhaled by humans Rarely have an adverse effect

  4. Occupational & environmental exposure to bio-aerosols from compost & potential health effects Study parameters Compost Assoc. & Health & Safety Laboratory - UK Twelve studies – dispersion of bio-aerosols from compost sites Monitoring at distances from 0 – 2,300 feet Controls – down and up wind sampling Modeling used Findings 650 – 820 feet background levels

  5. Cornell Waste Mgnt. Institute2007 Emissions & Health Study Variety of bio-aerosols produced at compost facilities A. Fumigatus varies seasonally A. Funigatus is ubiquitous in both outdoor and indoor –pets Bio-aerosols downwind of outdoor compost facilities at background levels from 650-1640’ Bio-aerosol data in sufficient to attribute types and concentrations to specific feedstocks Bio-aerosols are particles of microbial, plant or animal origins (attached to organic dust)

  6. Cornell Waste Mgnt. Institute2007 Emissions & Health Study Many bio-aerosols know to cause symptoms, occasionally illness An association was observed between distance to an outdoor compost facility and respiratory system & general health complaints No distance association with allergies or infectious disease Self-reported symptoms were not correlated with A. Fumigatus levels in the air in the vicinity of a large open-air YW compost facility Compost workers show a response to elevated exposure Occupational exposure to bio-aerosols may be reduced through engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment

  7. Management methods • Turning windrows and screening when wind blows away from sensitive “receptors” • Bermsand tree planting • Addition of a biofilter from the top of the windrow to 1/3 down the side of the windrow • Wet windrow while turning • Perform the active part of the process in a building • Screen finished compost in a building • Limit the days and time of day windrows are turned

  8. Thanks you for your Time and Attention Ginny Black 651-757-2233 ginny.black@state.mn.us

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