Aerosols from a wastewater treatment plant using oxidation ditch process: Characteristics, source apportionment, and exposure risks. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Tang; Han, Yunping; Liu, Junxin; Li, Lin
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 250(2019)
• Page Start: 627
• Page End: 638
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Wastewater treatment plant -- Oxidation ditch -- Aerosol -- Source apportionment -- Exposure risk; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The study of aerosol dispersion characteristics in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has attracted extensive attention. Oxidation ditch (OD) is a commonly implemented process during biological wastewater treatment. This study assessed the component characteristics, source apportionment, and exposure risks of aerosols generated from a WWTP using the OD process (AWO). The results indicated that the aeration part of oxidation ditch (ODA) exhibited the highest concentrations and proportions of the respiratory fractions (RF) of bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Some pathogenic or opportunistic-pathogenic bacteria and carcinogenic metal(loid)s were detected in the AWO. The source apportionment results indicated that the outdoor wastewater treatment processes and ambient air contributed to the constitution of the AWO. The indoor aerosols were mainly constituted by composition of the wastewater treatment process such as the sludge dewatering room (SDR). The pathogenic or opportunistic-pathogenic bacteria with eight genera ( Colinsella, Dermatophilus, Enterobactor, Erycherichia-Shigella, Ledionella, Selenomonas, Xanthobacter, and Veillonella ) were largely attributed to wastewater or sludge. The risk assessment suggested that inhalation was the main exposure pathway for aerosols (including bacteria and metal(loid)s). Additionally, As indicated the highest non-carcinogenic risks. Furthermore, As, Cd, and Co were associated with high carcinogenic risks. The ODA and sludge dewatering room (SDR) indicated the highest carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of metal(loid)s, respectively. Thus, the AWO should be sufficiently researched and monitored to mitigate their harmful effects on human health, particularly with regard to the health of the site workers. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Study of aerosols from wastewater treatment plant using oxidation ditch (AWO). Systematic investigation of characteristics, sources, and exposure risks of AWO. Highest non-carcinogenic risks detected at sludge dewatering room. Highest carcinogenic risks detected at the oxidation ditch. Thirty-eight bacterial genera and some metal(loid)s identified in the AWO. Abstract : Sludge dewatering room and Oxidation ditch indicated the highest non- and carcinogenic risks in a wastewater treatment plants using oxidation ditch.