TABLE 1.
Occupational Health Articles—Study Characteristics
| Author (year) | Study characteristics | Number and type of sites | Exposure assessment | Outcome assessment | Bioaerosols studied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown (1995) | United States; case report in compost site worker | 1 site | Not reported | Clinical examination | Organic dust |
| Bünger (2000) | Germany; cross-sectional study in compost and biowaste workers | Multiple sites, details not reported | Standardized interview questionnaire about bioaerosol occupational exposure | Standardized occupational questionnaire Symptoms of respiratory system; skin; gastrointestines; atopy | Bacteria, actinomycetes, fungus spores |
| Bünger (2007) | Germany; cohort study of acute and chronic respiratory disorders and lung function in site workers at 41 open and in-vessel composting (IVC) sites | 41 open, IVC and mixed sites | Personal air sampling of workers at 6 of 41 studied sites from which respirable dust, cultivable microorganisms, and endotoxins were extracted. | Clinical examination; Interview with standardized questionnaire; spirometric measurements of lung function Symptoms of upper respiratory system; eyes; effect of exposure on lung function | Organic dust; total microorganisms; endotoxin |
| Chang (2014) | Location not specified; laboratory based study whereby human lung mucoepidermoid cells were cocultured with Aspergillus fumigatus samples collected from a composting hall | 1 IVC composting plant | A single stage ambient microbe sampler was used at a rate of 28.3 L/min at 1.5 m above ground. For cytotoxicity assay of particulate matter a filter sampler was used at a flow rate of 4 L/min. For endotoxin assay, a five-stage cascade impactor was used at a flow rate of 9 L/min at a height of 1.5 m above ground. All sampling was conducted for 8 h. | Laboratory-based study whereby human lung mucoepidermoid cells and Aspergillus fumigatus collected from the “composting hall” were cocultured to mimic exposure to inflammatory factors in vivo. Results confirmed that the cells showed increased proinflammatory responses. | Aspergillus fumigatus, bacteria, mould, particulate matter, endotoxin |
| Douwes (2000) | Netherlands; two cross-sectional studies and quasi-experimental studies conducted 12 mo apart in site workers | 1 IVC site | Personal air sampling; endotoxin and ß(1,3)-glucan extractions; impactor sampling (Andersen) for ambient total bacteria | Nasal lavage (NAL) sampling for inflammatory markers; self-reported questionnaire; standardized health questionnaire of reported respiratory symptoms | Organic dust; endotoxin; beta (1→3)glucans |
| Hambach (2012) | Belgium; cross-sectional study in compost facility workers in 3 indoor composting sites | 3 indoor sites—vegetable, garden and fruit facilities. | N/A. Those exposed worked almost exclusively in the compost hall and therefore exposed to organic dusts. | Questionnaire incorporated into annual medical examination. Respiratory symptoms (dry cough, phlegm, wheezing, dyspnoea, chest tightness); irritation (runny eyes, blocked/running nose, sore throat, sneezing/tickly nose); gastrointestinal (nausea, pyrosis, lack of appetite); skin | Occupational bioaerosols—organic dust |
| Heldal (2003) | Norway; quasi-experimental study in waste workers(including compost workers) | 1 IVC site | Personal air sampling full-shift; analyses for endotoxin, ß(1-3)glucan, bacteria, fungi, organic dust; | Nasal lavage sampling; acoustic rhinometry pre-shift twice per week; self-reported nonstandardized symptom and occupational questionnaire; | Organic dust; endotoxin; beta (1→3) glucans |
| Lundholm (1980) | Sweden; cross-sectional study among workers at a composting plant | 1 open air site, feedstock and sewage sludge | Impactor sampling (Anderson 6 stage) | Interview questionnaire, nonstandardized subjective symptoms of upper respiratory system; eyes; gastrointestinal; headache; fatigue | Gram-negative bacteria |
| Müller (2006) | Germany; experimental study in healthy, young previously unexposed volunteers, shoveling compost for 2 hours | 1 open air compost site | Personal dust sampler worn by participants | Standardized questionnaire, lung function tests (spirometry) and blood samples (inflammatory markers) taken just before and 3 h after exposure period. | Endotoxin, organic dust |
| Sigsgaard (1994) | Denmark; cross-sectional study in compost workers | Open green compost sites, unknown number | Filter sampling for personal and ambient inhalable dust; endotoxin extractions; impinger sampling for ambient total bacteria and fungi | Interview questionnaire, standardized and skin prick tests for inhalant allergens and antigens. Symptoms of respiratory system, lung function; gastrointestinal; skin | Organic dust; total microorganisms; gram-negative bacteria; total fungi; endotoxin |
| van Kampen (2012) | Germany; cross-sectional study of current and former compost workers at 31 sites | 31 mixed sites | Standardized interview questionnaire about occupational exposure to bioaerosols | Clinical examination; standardized interview questionnaire; spirometric measurements of lung function; serum levels of specific IgG antibodies to antigens used as immunological biomarkers of 4 fungus species Upper respiratory system; eyes; skin; gastrointestinal; atopy; other influenza-like symptoms; lung function | Occupational bioaerosols |
| Vincken (1984) | Belgium; case report in compost site worker | 1 site | Not measured | Clinical examinations; chest radiograph; spirometry; blood test; bronchial washings | Aspergillus fumigatus |