Abstract
During collection of domestic waste in compactor trucks the waste collectors may be exposed to bio-aerosols. The purpose of this study was to elucidate to what extent an air pollution control system, composed of an air exhaust system mounted behind a plastic lamella curtain covering the scoop of a compactor truck, can reduce the exposure. Personal sampling of airborne contaminants were obtained from two crews collecting mixed domestic waste in containers using either a standard compactor truck or a compactor truck with the air pollution control system.
Exposures were reduced when the waste was collected in the compactor truck with air pollution control as compared with the standard compactor: total dust reduction approximately two-fold (α = 3%); endotoxin reduction approximately two-fold (α = 10%); total microorganisms reduction approximately six-fold (α = 9%); viable bacteria reduction approximately three-fold (α =15%); and viable fungi reduction approximately four-fold (α = 1%). It is concluded that exposure to bio-aerosols during waste collection in compactor trucks can be reduced by mounting an air exhaust equipment behind a plastic lamella curtain covering the scoop of the compactor. © 1996 ISWA
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.