Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Toxins01:12

Bacterial Toxins

Bacterial toxins are sophisticated virulence factors that enable pathogenic bacteria to interact with, invade, and damage host tissues. These toxins fall broadly into two types: protein exotoxins, which are secreted into the environment and target specific host receptors, and lipopolysaccharide endotoxins, which are structural components of the bacterial outer membrane released primarily during bacterial lysis or membrane shedding. Exotoxins generally act more selectively, binding to cell...
Microbes and Climate Change01:27

Microbes and Climate Change

Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
Microbes and Methanogenesis01:26

Microbes and Methanogenesis

Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...
Sources of Food Contamination01:29

Sources of Food Contamination

Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...
Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Use of bioaerosol stakeholder mapping and engagement for the development of future strategic collaborations: a UK perspective.

Microbiology (Reading, England)·2025
Same author

Street-scale dispersion modelling framework of road-traffic derived air pollution in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Environmental research·2023
Same author

Risk of respiratory hospital admission associated with modelled concentrations of Aspergillus fumigatus from composting facilities in England.

Environmental research·2020
Same author

Mapping ammonia risk on sensitive habitats in Ireland.

The Science of the total environment·2018
Same author

Predicting Aspergillus fumigatus exposure from composting facilities using a dispersion model: A conditional calibration and validation.

International journal of hygiene and environmental health·2016
Same author

A critical review of classification of organisations in relation to the voluntary implementation of environmental management systems.

Journal of environmental management·2012

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
14:34

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Published on: May 6, 2010

Endotoxin emissions from commercial composting activities.

Lewis Deacon1, Louise Pankhurst, Jian Liu

  • 1Mouchel, London, UK. Lewis.deacon@mouchel.com

Environmental Health : a Global Access Science Source
|January 28, 2010
PubMed
Summary

This study investigated endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) emissions from a composting facility. Researchers found endotoxin dispersal, with higher inflammatory potential than commercial standards, affecting air quality near and far from the site.

More Related Videos

Air-sampled Filter Analysis for Endotoxins and DNA Content
09:16

Air-sampled Filter Analysis for Endotoxins and DNA Content

Published on: March 7, 2016

Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure
06:52

Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure

Published on: July 19, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock
14:34

Biocontained Carcass Composting for Control of Infectious Disease Outbreak in Livestock

Published on: May 6, 2010

Air-sampled Filter Analysis for Endotoxins and DNA Content
09:16

Air-sampled Filter Analysis for Endotoxins and DNA Content

Published on: March 7, 2016

Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure
06:52

Lab-Scale Model to Evaluate Odor and Gas Concentrations Emitted by Deep Bedded Pack Manure

Published on: July 19, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Composting facilities can release airborne contaminants.
  • Endotoxins are potent inflammatory agents originating from bacterial cell walls.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) emissions and dispersal patterns from a commercial composting facility.
  • To assess the inflammatory potential of emitted endotoxins.

Main Methods:

  • Air sampling via filtration at various locations around a commercial composting site.
  • Quantification of endotoxin and culturable microorganisms.
  • Measurement of inflammatory response in human cell cultures (monocytes and lung epithelial cells) exposed to filter extracts.

Main Results:

  • Elevated endotoxin concentrations were detected near the composting source.
  • A secondary dispersal peak was observed 100-150 m downwind.
  • Unexpectedly high endotoxin levels were found at the furthest downwind sampling point.
  • Compost-derived endotoxin demonstrated greater pro-inflammatory cytokine induction in cell cultures compared to commercial endotoxin.

Conclusions:

  • Composting facilities are sources of airborne endotoxin with significant dispersal potential.
  • Emitted endotoxins possess potent inflammatory properties, exceeding those of commercial standards.
  • Further research is needed to understand the full health implications of endotoxin exposure from composting operations.