Assessment of airborne enteric viruses emitted from wastewater treatment plant: Atmospheric dispersion model, quantitative microbial risk assessment, disease burden

Viruses in wastewater: occurrence, abundance and detection methods

“…Aside from the presence of viruses in wastewater, the occurrence of viruses in the sludges produced in the examined treatment operations has been studied ( Brown et al, 2015 ; Symonds et al, 2014 ; Wu and Liu, 2009 ). Few studies have investigated the presence and abundance of viruses in the ambient air from WWTPs ( Brisebois et al, 2018 ; Masclaux et al, 2014 ; Pasalari et al, 2019 ).…”

“…A limited number of studies have shown that wastewater systems emit bioaerosols that have significant concentrations of viruses such as RoV, NoV, HAdV, HAV, and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV1) ( Brisebois et al, 2018 ; Masclaux et al, 2014 ; Pasalari et al, 2019 ). Viruses in aerosols pose a risk to the WWTP or sewage workers who are exposed to these viruses via the inhalation or contamination by contact with deposited aerosols on surfaces ( Masclaux et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Viruses in aerosols pose a risk to the WWTP or sewage workers who are exposed to these viruses via the inhalation or contamination by contact with deposited aerosols on surfaces ( Masclaux et al, 2014 ). Highly resistant viruses, such as RoV and NoV, that are present in the local atmosphere of a WWTP can also pose risks to the residents living near the facility ( Pasalari et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Aside from the concerns related to reuse of wastewater and sludge, exposure of WWTP workers to viral pathogens is a potential risk. Aeration facilities in WWTPs generate and diffuse bioaerosols containing chemicals and microorganisms including viruses that are typically non-waterborne ( Pasalari et al, 2019 ; Wang et al, 2020b ). Aerosols are also emitted during the handling of sludge and land application of biosolids ( Bibby and Peccia, 2013 ).…”

Bioaerosol sampling optimization for community exposure assessment in cities with poor sanitation: A one health cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, cities with rapid urban growth will face unprecedented challenges in waste management, potentially causing an increase in diarrheal diseases that could create lifetime health deficits (Neiderud, 2015). Recent modelling efforts have found high risks of infection and illness from airborne Rotavirus and Norovirus emitted from wastewater treatment plants in Iran (Pasalari et al, 2019), identifying key areas in these facilities that increase the risk of illness from bioaerosol exposure (Carducci et al, 2018). Hence, we are conducting a series of studies looking at sanitation-related bioaerosols in developing countries to better understand their potential health impacts.…”