Occupational Exposure to biological agents in wastewater treatment plants

Aguiar, Fátima; Rosa, Nuno; Cano, Manuela

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/2793

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Authors

Aguiar, Fátima

Rosa, Nuno

Cano, Manuela

Abstract(s)

Poor risk assessment is one of the emerging issues related with the occupational exposure to biological agents. The principles for the management of biological risks are described in the Directive 2000/54/EC and employers are responsible for ensuring risk assessment. However, a correct exposure assessment is difficult due to the lack of information on biological risks, lack of validation and harmonization of detection and measurement methods for biological agents. In the mean time it is necessary to assess the risks and to identify higher risk tasks in order to protect workers. Aiming to establish the risks associated with routine tasks, culturable microorganisms were collected using a MAS-100 impactor with Trypticase Soy Agar, MacConkey Agar and Malt Extract Agar as culture media for total bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, respectively. The assessment was based on comparison of microorganism concentrations with reference environments taking into account exposure data.