Wastewater treatment-associated bioaerosols: an emerging health threat

Among the various sources of bioaerosols (airborne particles of biological origin), wastewater treatment systems (WWTSs) are receiving worldwide attention. This chapter reviews the characteristics of WWTS-associated bioaerosols, sampling and analysis approaches, possible control mechanisms with associated factors. In particular, the roles of various treatment stages, potential emission stages with enumeration techniques are discussed in this chapter. Literature review revealed that potential locations for bioaerosols emission are mainly those that involve moving mechanisms, high microbial population, hydraulic jumps, mechanical mixing, and sludge handling units. The bioaerosols, emitted from WWTS, mainly contain pathogenic bacteria, fungi, virus, parasites, antibiotic-resistance genes, endotoxins, secreted microbial products, spores, molds, endotoxins, allergens, etc. The possible presence of these multifarious microorganisms in the surrounding air can pose health risks to workers and surrounding communities. Thorough research in this direction can be much helpful in developing appropriate control strategies and better effective surveillance mechanisms for upcoming technologies and/or systems.