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Waste Management & Research
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Aspergillus fumigatus in windrow composting: effect of turning frequency

Johanna Lott Fischer

Laboratotre de Microbiologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Trello Beffa

Laboratotre de Microbiologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Pierre-François Lyon

Laboratotre de Microbiologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Michel Aragno

Laboratotre de Microbiologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

The influence of the windrow turning frequency on the pro liferation and dispersion of Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) at a classic, open-air windrow composting site was investigated. Independent of the turning frequency, the intially high con centrations of AF (>106 cfu/gDW ) were strongly reduced already after 2 weeks of composting in the center of all exper imental windrows, as well as at the surface of those being turned frequently (daily). Surface AF counts, however, remained elevated (>10 4 cfu/gDW ) for the less frequently (weekly to monthly) turned windrows. Also, in this case, con centrations of AF dispersed in the air were higher. Tempera ture, the main factor for eliminating AF, rose faster, more homogeneously, and reached higher values in the more fre quently (daily and/or weekly) turned composts than in those turned less frequently. Significant differences were seen between daily and weekly turnings of material with high a C/N ratio (40: 1), but not for the more nutrient rich composts (C/N 30:1), where temperatures were generally higher.

Key Words: Composting • thermohygienization • Aspergillus fumigatus • open-air windrows • bioaerosols • occupational health • Switzerland

Waste Management & Research, Vol. 16, No. 4, 320-329 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/0734242X9801600404
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?