Ambient bioaerosol distribution and associated health risks at a high traffic density junction at Dehradun city, India

Abstract

Traffic junctions are one of the crowded places where commuters are at high risk of developing respiratory infections, due to their greater exposure to airborne and human transmitted microbial pathogens. An airborne bioaerosol assessment study was carried out at a high traffic density junction focusing on their concentration, contribution in respirable particulate matter (PM), and factors influencing the distribution and microbial diversity. Andersen six-stage viable cascade impactor and a wide-range aerosol spectrometer were used for microbial and particulate matter measurements, respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between bioaerosol concentration, vehicular count, PM concentration, and meteorological parameters. The mean bacteria concentration (1962.95 ± 651.85 CFU/m 3 ) was significantly different than fungi (1118.95 ± 428.34 CFU/m 3 ) (p < 0.05). The temporal distribution showed maximum concentration for bacteria and fungi during monsoon and postmonsoon seasons, respectively. In terms of bioaerosol loading, a considerable fraction of fungi (3.25%) and bacteria (5.65%) contributed to the total airborne PM. Most abundant bioaerosols were Aspergillus (27.58%), Penicillium (23%), and Cladosporium (14.05%) (fungi), and Micrococcus (25.73%), Staphylococcus (17.98%), and Bacillus (13.8%) (bacteria). Trafficinduced roadside soil resuspension and microbial aerosolizations from the human body were identified as the chief sources of bioaerosol emissions. The risk of lower respiratory tract infections caused by anthroponotic (human transmitted) transfer of bacterial pathogens is very high. The results of the study can be used to trace sources of microbial mediated communicable diseases, and to recommend appropriate safety measures to avoid pathogenic bioaerosol exposure.

Seasonal variation and size distribution in the airborne indoor microbial concentration of residential houses in Delhi and its impact on health

“…Unlike this study, current data shows the highest bacterial concentration at the start of the fall season (August) and the lowest in the winter however fungal abundance the follow the same pattern (Frankel et al, 2012 ). (Madhwal et al, 2020 ) monitored the bioaerosols near Bus station and an almost similar trend was recorded in all the seasons. Aspergillus, Penicillium , and Cladosporium were the most dominant fungi; however, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, , and Bacillus were the most dominant bacterial genera (Madhwal et al, 2020 ), and the same results were shown in the monitoring of indoor air of pharmacy (Jankowiak et al, 2020 ).…”

“…(Madhwal et al, 2020 ) monitored the bioaerosols near Bus station and an almost similar trend was recorded in all the seasons. Aspergillus, Penicillium , and Cladosporium were the most dominant fungi; however, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, , and Bacillus were the most dominant bacterial genera (Madhwal et al, 2020 ), and the same results were shown in the monitoring of indoor air of pharmacy (Jankowiak et al, 2020 ). Fungal aerosols started declining from July–August, which may be due to increased soil moisture and hence, decreased resuspension of fungi in these months (Fan et al, 2017 ; Rathnayake et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Various studies have been conducted throughout the World to assess microbial concentration in other indoor sites such as schools, colleges, hospitals, and public libraries or; but less attention was paid to residential houses (Madhwal et al, 2020 ; Frankel et al, 2012 ; Kumari et al, 2016 ; Park et al, 2016 ; Madamarandawala et al, 2019 ; Karmakar et al, 2020 ). Few studies have been conducted in Delhi to assess the bioaerosols concentrations in indoor environments (Gupta et al, 1993 ; Sharma, 2011 ).…”

Bioaerosols in the landfill environment: an overview of microbial diversity and potential health hazards

“…Samples are normally collected on petri plates with growth medium, filter or liquid. Many aerobiologists have reported using six-stage cascade impactor for bioaerosol sampling in landfill sites (Akpeimeh et al 2019 ; Fraczek et al 2017 ; Fraczek and Kozdroj 2016 ; Kaarakainen et al 2008 ; Lenart-Boron 2020 ; Madhwal and Prabhu 2020 ). The duration of sampling selected should be sufficient to produce 30–100 colonies per plate (Madhwal et al 2020 ).…”

Epidemiological Correlation of Pulmonary Aspergillus Infections with Ambient Pollutions and Influenza A (H1N1) in Southern Taiwan

“…By long-distance transport, the northeast monsoon originating from the Asian continent could transport PM 10 and PM 2.5 , passing through Taiwan (from north to south) to downstream southern areas from autumn to the following spring annually [ 14 , 15 ]. Sandstorm dust is a prolific source of PM 10 , PM 2.5 , and bioaerosols including Aspergillus , other fungi, and bacterial isolates [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Therefore, urban air pollution depends greatly on seasonality and monsoons [ 17 ].…”