Moulds and bacteria in the air of waste sorting plants AS an occupational factor resulted specific health symptoms and allergic diseases among workers

Introduction
Recycling workers belong to a high risk occupational group because of their contact with high concentrations of bacteria and moulds at the workplace. The aim of the study was to assess the relative risk of selected health complains and occurrence of allergic diseases in sorting plants workers.

Methods
Bacteria and moulds were analyzed based on culturable methods. The questionnaire survey was carried out among 69 workers of two sorting waste plants. Control group were office workers (N=205). Relative risk was assessed as odds ratio (OR).

Results
Mean concentration of airborne culturable: bacteria was 4,14x104 cfu/m3 (SD=15,93x03; range 1,80x104 – 7,15x104 cfu/m3), and fungi concentration was 4,47x104 cfu/m3 (SD=73,48x103; range 1,90x103 – 1,60x105 cfu/m3). Acute upper respiratory tract symptoms were found in 71% of respondents, dry and persistent cough in 33%, paroxysmal dyspnea and/or whistling breath in 19%, eye troubles in 36%, and skin troubles in 15%. At waste sorting plant workers was found increased relative risk of: dry and persistent cough (OR=2,72; CL95%=1,27;5,81), itching nose and sneezing (OR=2,26; CL95%=1,23;4,16), watery running nose (OR=4,58; CL95%=2,17;9,70), feeling of nose blockade (OR=4,01; CL95%=2,14;7,51) and paroxysmal dyspnoea (OR=3,11; CL95%=1,25;7,75). Allergic diseases were diagnosed in 23% of workers, including 11% of those with allergy diagnosed before the start of employment at the sorting plant. Among allergic diseases were reported allergic skin inflammation (7%), allergic conjunctivitis inflammation (7%), bronchial asthma (4%) and catarrhal inflammation of mucous membrane (4%).

Discussion
The prevalence an relative risk ratio of acute upper respiratory tract symptoms with allergic background indicates the adverse effects of bioaerosol on the worker’s health. To protect health of workers it is needed to intensify preventive activities aimed at minimizing bioaerosol concentrations at the workplace and making the protection of eyes, skin and respiratory system much more effective.