BIO-AEROSOL EXPOSURE DURING COLLECTION OF MIXED DOMESTIC WASTE - AN INTERVENTION STUDY ON COMPACTOR TRUCK DESIGN

During collection of domestic waste in compactor trucks the waste coll ectors may be exposed to bio-aerosols. The purpose of this study was t o elucidate to what extent an air pollution control system, composed o f an air exhaust system mounted behind a plastic lamella curtain cover ing the scoop of a compactor truck, can reduce the exposure. Personal sampling of airborne contaminants were obtained from two crews collect ing mixed domestic waste in containers using either a standard compact or truck or a compactor truck with the air pollution control system. E xposures were reduced when the waste was collected in the compactor tr uck with air pollution control as compared with the standard compactor : total dust reduction approximately two-fold (alpha=3%); endotoxin re duction approximately twofold (alpha=10%); total microorganisms reduct ion approximately six-fold (alpha=9%); viable bacteria reduction appro ximately three-fold (alpha=15%); and viable fungi reduction approximat ely four-fold (alpha=1%). It is concluded that exposure to bio-aerosol s during waste collection in compactor trucks can be reduced by mounti ng an air exhaust equipment behind a plastic lamella curtain covering the scoop of the compactor. (C) 1996 ISWA