Identifying and Determining Dispersion Boundary Bio-aerosols of Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens from Municipal Waste Collection Containers

Background & Aims of the Study: Identifying and determining the dispersion boundary bio-aerosols of bacterial and fungal pathogens for locating containers of municipal waste in accurate management to prevent from health damage and enhance society health is essential. The aim of this research is to identify and assess the radius of bacterial and fungal bio-aerosol emissions from municipal waste collection containers. Materials and methods: This was a cross- sectional study in Gonabad city in which air sample prepared from around the containers from July to October 2015. Sampling was carried out by active Zefon A6 Impactor samplers at a distance of 1.5 m from surface of earth and in several horizontal distances up to 2 m from containers. Totally, 360 samples were gathered and the bacteria and fungi were identified by microbiology tests. Also, temperature, humidity and wind speed was measured. Results: Aspergillus, yeast and Alternaria were the most dominant species of fungi in around of containers. Among bacteria, gram-positive bacilli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were dominant. Most of bio-aerosols in a distance of 25 cm from the containers (228.00±167.12  CFU/m3) and the lowest were observed at a distance of 2 m of the containers (223.86±204.72 CFU/m3). Conclusion: The findings indicated that municipal waste collection containers released the hazardous biological agents as Aspergillus and Staphylococcus aureus that are very pathogenic for human in environment. So the position of the garbage containers for decline the environment health effect, it should not be less than 2 m from human exposure.