Assessment of Bacterial Aerosols in a Herbal Processing Plant

The aim of this study was to assess bacterial aerosols in a herbal processing plant Poland. Bioaerosol measurements indoor and outdoor air the were performed four measurement rounds, seasonal cycle—in spring, summer, autumn, winter—using six-stage Andersen’s cascade sampler. At each measuring point, during bioaerosol sampling, values relative humidity temperature simultaneously measured using Kestrel 4000 device, concentration particulate matter (fractions 1.0 μm, 2.5 4.0 µm, 10.0 µm) DustTrak II dust analyzer. results showed that production process affects aerosol concentrations tested plant. There statistically significant differences between air, rooms, taking into account seasons year. rooms did not exceed 7.6 ×·103 cfu·m−3 lower than permissible proposed for contaminated with organic dust. calculations correlation temperature. Qualitative analysis microorganisms isolated from dominance Gram-positive cocci genus Micrococcus spore-forming rods Bacillus genus. confirmed plants may be related exposure microbiological agents.