In the present study, airborne concentrations of total bacteria, molds+yeasts as well as fecal coliforms and streptococci were measured at a composting plant as a function of key variables, including feedstock composition, operational procedures and season. The facility where the measurements were performed is a large (60 000 tonnes day-1), turned and aerated static pile composting installation for source-separated vegetable, fruit and garden waste (VFG) collected from households in a region of the northern part of Belgium.
Benbough, J.E. , Bennett, A.M. & Parks, S.R. (1993) Determination of the collection efficiency of a microbial air samplerJournaL of Applied Bacteriology74, 170-173
2.
Berufsgenossenschaft der Chemischen Industne ( 1994) Sichere Biotechnologie, Eingruppierung biologischer Agenzien Pilze (Secure biotechnology, classification of biological agents molds. Merkblatt B 007 4/91, ZH 1/344
3.
Boelens, J. & De Wilde, B. (1995) Comparative study on biowaste definition - Field study Brecht Final Project Report Gent, Belgium: Organic Waste Systems n.v
4.
Britzius, E. (1982) Lufthygienische Untersuchungen zur Keimemission von Mulldeponien (Research into hygienic aspects of airborne germ emissions from landfills. Agr Wiss Diss, Hohenhiem, 33-36
5.
Buttner, M.P. & Stetzenbach, L.D. (1993) Monitoring airborne fungal spores in an experimental indoor environment to evaluate sampling methods and the effects of human activity on air samplingApplied and Environmental Microbiology59, 219-226
6.
Conrad, M. , Kern, M. & Wimer, K. (1996) Vergleich von mikrobiologischen emissionen von bioabfall, restmultonnen und DSD-sacken (Comparison of microbial emissions from biowaste and residual waste contamers and DSD bags. Mull und Abfall11, 743-749
7.
De Baere, L. , Six, W., Tillinger, R. & Verstraete, W. (1992) Wastepaper improves biowaste compostingBioCycle33, 70-71
8.
De Wilde, B., Boelens, J. & De Baere, L. (1996) Results of laboratory and field studies on wastepaper inclusion in biowaste in view of composting In De Bertoldi, M., Sequi, P, Lemmes, B & Papi, T (eds.) The Science of CompostingLondonBlackie Academic & Professional p 803
9.
Epstem, E. (1993) Neighborhood and worker protection for composting facilities, issues and actions In Hoitink, H A J & Keener, H M (eds ) Science & engineering of composting design, environmental, microbiological and utilization aspectsWorthington, OH, USA The Ohio State University, p 319
10.
Farrell, J.B. (1993) Fecal pathogen control during composting In Hoitmk, H A. J & Keener, H. M. (eds.) Science & engineering of composting design , environmental, microbiological and utilization aspects. Worthington, OH, USA The Ohio State University , p 282
11.
Gellens, V., Boelens, J. & Verstraete, W. (1995) Source separation, selective collection and in reactor digestion of biowasteAntonie van Leeuwenhoek67, 79-89.
12.
Jager, E., Ruder, H. & Zeschmar-Lahl, B. (1994) Kompostierungsanlagen 2. Mitteilung aerogene Keimbelastung an verschiedenen Arbeitsbereichen von Kompostierungsanlagen (Composting installations 2 Communication Airborne germ loads in different working areas of composting installations. Zentralblatt fur Hygiene und Umweltmedizin196, 367-379
13.
Kang, Y-J. & Frank, J.F. (1989a) Comparison of airborne microflora collected by the Andersen Sieve Sampler and RCS Sampler in a dairy processing plant. Journal of Food Protection52, 877-880.
14.
Kang, Y.J. & Frank, J.F. (1989b) Evaluation of air samplers for recovery of biological aerosols in dairy processing plantsJournal of Food Protection52, 655-659
15.
Orrhage, K., Lidbeck, A. & Rafter, J. (1995) Influence of the probiotics, lactobactlli and bifidobacteria on gastrointestinal disorders in adults. In: Hill, M J. (ed.) Role of gut bacteria in human toxicology and pharmacology. London, UK. Taylor & Francis. p. 261.
16.
Ovam (1996) Voorontwerp ultvoeringsplan huishoudelijke afvalstoffen 1997-2001 (Draft executional plan for solid waste from households: 1997-2001 Report D/1996/5024/21 . Openbare Afvalstoffenmaatschappij voor het Vlaamse Gewest, Mechelen, Belgium
17.
Rylander, R. (1986) Lung diseases by organic dust in the farm environment . American Journal of Industrial Medicine10, 221-227.
18.
Stemberg, R. & Brinkmann, U. (1996) Keimemissionen in der Abfallwirtschaft aus der Sicht des Arbeitsschutzes (Germ emissions in waste management in view of worker protectionMull und Abfall9, 606-616.
19.
Verschut, C. , Trio-me, T.D. & Brethouwer, V. (1996) Composting of a mixture of vegetable, fruit and garden waste and used paper diapers. In: De Bertoldi, M , Sequi, P , Lemmes, B. & Papi, T (eds ) International symposium the Science of ComposingGlasgow, UK Blackie & Professional p 612
20.
Verstraete, W. & Voets, J.P. (1974) De microbiota van lucht. ecologie, analyse, bestrijding (Airborne microbes: ecology, analysis, combating. Mededelingen Faculteit Landbouwweten-schappen Ghent39, 259-272
