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Field studies measuring the aerosolization of endotoxin during the land application of Class B biosolids

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Abstract

Endotoxins are a component of Gram-negative bacteria cell walls and are known to be present in biosolids. Endotoxins have been shown to be potent stimulators of the innate immune response causing airway irritation and shortness of breath. Class B biosolids are routinely applied to agricultural lands to enhance soil properties and can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. This study investigated the aerosolized endotoxin dispersed during the land application of Class B biosolids on agricultural land and a concrete surface at two sites in Colorado, USA. Aerosolized endotoxin was captured using HiVol samplers fitted with glass fiber filters, polycarbonate filter cassettes (both open and closed) and BioSampler impinger air samplers. Endotoxins were also measured in the biosolids to allow for correlating bulk biosolids concentrations with aerosol emission rates. Endotoxin concentrations in biosolids, impinger solutions and filter extracts were determined using the kinetic Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Aerosolized endotoxin concentration was detected from all sites with levels ranging from 0.5 to 642 EU/m3. The four types of sampling apparatus were compared, and the HiVol and open-faced cassette samplers produced higher time-weighted average (TWA) measurements (EU/m3) than the impinger and closed cassette samplers. Ambient wind speed was found to be the variable best describing the observed results with optimal wind speed for highest deposition estimated at 5 m s−1. It is argued that HiVol air samplers are a particularly reliable approach and subsequent analyses relating TWA measurements to wind speed and biosolids characteristics were based on the measurements collected with those samplers.

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Abbreviations

df :

Degrees of freedom

EU:

Endotoxin units

gdw:

Gram dry weight

PWA:

Plume-weighted average

TWA:

Time-weighted average

MPN:

Most probable number

LAL:

Limulus amebocyte lysate

VIF:

Variance inflation factor

STEL:

Short-term exposure limit

FC:

Fort Collins, CO

NY:

New York, NY

MD:

Metro Denver, CO

LE:

Littleton/Englewood, CO

GC:

Greeley, CO

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Acknowledgements

We could not have completed our study without the support of many individuals: Patrick Clark (EPA), Gerard Henderson (EPA), Grant Weikham (Pegasus) and Clare Brobst. Special thanks to Parker Ag for providing logistical and operational support on the Lamar, CO, site and the City of Fort Collins for logistical and operational support on the Carr, CO, Site. Also thanks to Pete Lien and Sons (Rapid City, SD Location) for providing the Quick Lime for the Carr, CO, site. Lastly a special thanks to the facilities that provided the biosolids for each of the sites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ORD/NRMRL, US Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Mail Location 190, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA

    R. F. Herrmann

  2. Pegasus Technical Services, Inc., 46 E. Hollister, Cincinnati, OH, 45219, USA

    R. J. Grosser

  3. ORD/NCEA, US Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Mail Location A110, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA

    D. Farrar

  4. US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, Denver, CO, 80202, USA

    R. B. Brobst

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  1. R. F. Herrmann
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Correspondence to R. F. Herrmann.

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The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the US Environmental Protection Agency. This article has been reviewed in accordance with US Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication.

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Herrmann, R.F., Grosser, R.J., Farrar, D. et al. Field studies measuring the aerosolization of endotoxin during the land application of Class B biosolids. Aerobiologia 33, 417–434 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-017-9480-8

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