Size fractionation of bioaerosol emissions from green-waste composting

Particle size is a significant factor in determining the dispersal and inhalation risk from bioaerosols. Green-waste composting source of bioaerosols (including pathogens), but little known about distribution specific taxa across fractions. To characterise fractionated bioaerosol emissions compost facility, we used Spectral Intensity Bioaerosol Sensor (SIBS) to quantify total qPCR metabarcoding microbial Overall, sub-micron predominated, molecular analysis showed that most (>75%) airborne microorganisms were associated with larger fractions (>3.3 µm da). The varied significantly by size, Bacilli dominating larger, Actinobacteria smaller, human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus dominated intermediate (>50% da 1.1–4.7 µm), indicating it has potential disperse widely once inhaled may penetrate deep into respiratory system. abundance (>60% at < 2.1 µm) other suggest main health effects come allergenic sensitisation rather than directly via infection. These results emphasise need better understand distributions all order model their inform assessments related facilities.