Bioaerosol levels at feedlots and an indoor wastewater treatment headworks

Bioaerosols originating from potentially pathogenic sources may have the potential to cause disease in humans if transported on air currents. Additionally, if the environment into which microorganisms are aerosolised promotes the growth and survival of bioaerosols, higher concentrations may occur and pose a risk to health. This investigation studied the bioaerosol production near two sources known to contain fecal material.; At feedlots, bioaerosol levels were found to elevated downwind compared to conditions upwind. By regression these elevated levels were related to wind speed, relative humidity and UVB radiation with the regression coefficients differing between upwind and downwind locations. In the headworks building at a wastewater treatment plant bioaerosol levels were found to be elevated and directly related to the aeration in the aerated grit chambers.; In both locations workers may inhale more microorganisms in a working day than they would if they were drinking water considered unsafe to drink.