Micro-Organism Exposure and Risk Assessment – Waste Collection Handlers and Drivers Abstract Waste handling has been linked to health problems such as asthma and toxic dust syndrome. Exposure to microbial particles may be suffered not only by the workers who directly handle garbage, recyclables and compost (garbage collectors), but also by others in the industry, including truck drivers. Although drivers do not handle the material directly, microbial particles may be transferred into the truck cab. This study assesses the micro-organism exposure and risk of waste collection workers and drivers. Using laboratory test results, we will describe the factors that contribute to the deterioration of the filters that can influence worker exposure. Volunteers needed for this study. Produced Under this Project Scientific Publications Microbial contamination and metabolite exposure assessment during waste and recyclable material collectionSalambaga F., Loïc Wingert, Valois I., Nancy Lacombe, Gouin F., Debia M., Soszczyńska E., Twarużek M., Kosicki R., Dias M., Viegas S., Caetano L. A., Viegas C., Geneviève MarchandSource : (2022). Environmental Research, 212(part D). doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113597Assessment of waste workers occupational risk to microbial agents and cytotoxic effects of mixed contaminants present in the air of waste truck cabin and ventilation filtersGeneviève Marchand, Loïc Wingert, Viegas C., Caetano L. A., Viegas S., Twaruzek M., Nancy Lacombe, Lanoie D., Valois I., Gouin F., Soszczyńska E., Kosicki R., Dias M., Debia M.Source : (2024). Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. doi: 10.1080/10962247.2023.2299424 Other Project(s) You May be Interested in Evaluation of the mycological biomass on the surfaces of air-handling networks of ventilation systemsDevelopment of a method for analyzing subtilisin and evaluation of exposure levels in a university hospitalBioaerosol exposure in wastewater treatment plants: molecular approach applications and viral riskEvaluation of bioaerosols and gaseous compounds in agri-food and residential organic waste composting Detection of microorganisms in deposits or in aerosols by RAMAN UV/fluorescence (Exploratory study)Exploratory evaluation of occupational exposure to chemicals and organic contaminants in biomethanation plants for putrescible organic matterUse of molecular tools for studying fungal diversity in aerosolsFine-Tuning of a Molecular Analysis Method to Calculate an Index (ERMI, Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) to Assess the Mycological Risk of Indoor Air in the WorkplaceAssessing Embalmer Exposure to Bioaerosols and the Associated Health Risk Use of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) as Exposure Biomarkers for Mould in the Workplace – Knowledge Summary Additional Information Type: Project Number: 2018-0016 Status: Ongoing Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention Team: Geneviève Marchand (IRSST)Carla Viegas (Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL))Loïc Wingert (IRSST)Maximilien Debia (Université de Montréal)Susana Viegas (Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL))Liliana Caetano (Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL))