This article is part of the supplement: Proceedings of the Joint Environment and Human Health Programme: Annual Science Day Conference and Workshop
Research
Endotoxin emissions from commercial composting activities
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* Corresponding author: Sean Tyrrel s.tyrrel@cranfield.ac.uk
1 Centre for Resource Management and Efficiency, Sustainable Systems, School of Applied Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK
2 Centre for Research in Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
3 Air Quality Management Resource Centre, University of the West of England, Bristol, Faculty of Enivronment and Technology, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
4 Mouchel, No.1 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London, EC1N 2ST, UK
Environmental Health 2009, 8(Suppl 1):S9 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-8-S1-S9
Published: 21 December 2009Abstract
This paper describes an exploratory study of endotoxin emissions and dispersal from a commercial composting facility. Replicated samples of air were taken by filtration at different locations around the facility on 10 occasions. Measurements were made of endotoxin and associated culturable microorganisms. The inflammatory response of cell cultures exposed to extracts from the filters was measured. Endotoxin was detected in elevated concentrations close to composting activities. A secondary peak, of lesser magnitude than the peak at source was detected at 100-150 m downwind of the site boundary. Unexpectedly high concentrations of endotoxin were measured at the most distant downwind sampling point. Extracted endotoxin was found to stimulate human monocytes and a human lung epithelial cell line to produce significant amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On a weight basis, endotoxin extracted from the composting source has a greater inflammatory cytokine inducing effect than commercial E. coli endotoxin.