[Assessment method of the pathogenic microbial exposure caused by aerosolization of reclaimed water]

Inhalation is one of the main exposure routes to pathogenic microorganisms during wastewater reuse. An applicable method is introduced to assess the pathogenic microbial exposure from inhalation. Firstly, emission intensity of pathogenic microorganisms during reclaimed water spraying is determined by the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in reclaimed water, spraying intensity and aerosolizing efficiency factor. The value of the aerosolizing efficiency factor is usually between 0.003 and 0.01. Then the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms in air is calculated by referring to the model of air pollutant dispersion and considering the microorganisms decay. The value of the microbial viability decay factor is between -0.23 s(-1) and 0 s(-1), and that of the environmental impact factor is between 0.016 and 73, varied by different kinds of microorganisms. And then the exposure from inhalation route can be finally attained by multiplying inhalation rate and exposure time. The daily average inhalation rate is 4.5-17 m3 x d(-1), and the hourly average inhalation rate is 0.3-3.2 m3 x h(-1), differentiated by age, gender, and activity of susceptible population. The method proposed in this study can be directly used to assess the pathogenic microbial exposure caused by reclaimed water used for agriculture irrigation, gardening, or fountain spraying.