Health Risks of Microbial Contamination of Work Environment during Sorting the Plastic Waste 

National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract: The Czech Republic is preparing a number of measures in the field of plastic waste management with regard to European strategy for plastics in the recycled economy. Given the expected increase in recycling technologies, it is also necessary to address the risks of workers’ work environment in recycling facilities. In installations where plastic waste is sorted, waste is contaminated with many micro-organisms. Bioaerosol, which is formed by mold, bacteria and their metabolites (endotoxins and mycotoxins) has a demonstrable adverse effect on human health. Study of contamination of work environment at the plastic waste sorting lines took place during the period from August to December of 2016. It was found that 111 plastic waste sorting facilities were operating at that time, and their total number of employees was 1075. In the work environment, relatively high concentrations of microscopic fungi ranging from 103 to 106 CTU/m3 of air were detected by the measurement. The dominant genus Penicillium sp. was found in all samples, Aspergillus niger in two out of five samples and accompanying Aspergillus ochraceus mold was found in one sample. Penicillium and Aspergillus mold genera are proven agents of mycoalergia. Basic and necessary measures to reduce the exposure and thus the risk of adverse health effects on the workers are based on a work environment risk evaluation. Based on this evaluation, the employer should undertake suitable measures and procedures.