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Micro-organisms and dust exposure in an Italian grain mill
C Dacarro1, P Grisoli, G Del Frate
1Dipartimento di Farmacologia Sperimentale ed Applicata, Laboratorio di Microbiologia, Università di Pavia, Pavia, Italy. cesare.dacarro@unipv.it
Journal of Applied Microbiology
|December 22, 2004
Summary
Workers in grain mills face occupational risks from high levels of airborne microbial contamination and dust particles, particularly in cleaning areas. These findings highlight critical zones requiring intervention to improve workplace safety.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health and safety
- Environmental microbiology
- Industrial hygiene
Background:
- Grain mills present potential occupational health risks due to airborne contaminants.
- Assessing microbiological contamination and dust levels is crucial for worker safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate aerial microbiological contamination and aerodispersed dust particle concentrations in various mill areas.
- To identify high-risk zones within the grain mill production line.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of microbiological indices: Global Index of Microbial Contamination (GIMC per m3), Index of Mesophilic Bacterial Contamination, and Amplification Index.
- Measurement of total and fungal counts for microbial assessment.
- Quantification of inhalable and respirable aerodispersed dust particles.
Main Results:
- The cleaning sector exhibited the highest microbial contamination, with a mean GIMC per m3 of 17,213.6, over 11 times higher than the external environment.
- Elevated concentrations of inhalable (2.763 mg m(-3)) and respirable (1.400 mg m(-3)) dust particles were detected in the cleaning area.
- Microbial contamination levels varied significantly, influenced by internal environmental conditions rather than seasonal factors.
Conclusions:
- The cleaning area is identified as the most hazardous section in the grain mill due to high microbial and dust concentrations.
- The proposed indices effectively identify critical positions in the production cycle for targeted contamination control.
- Implementing suitable preventive measures is essential to mitigate aerial contamination risks for workers.