DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/espr2003.12.182.1
PREAMBLE.
(M)VOC and Composting Facilities, Part 1 and 2
Composting facilities are well-known sources for bioaerosols and malodorous compounds. These may have adverse health effects on compost workers, but also on residents in the vicinity of composting facilities. A two-year investigation was carried out to collect data on the emission and dispersal of (M)VOC and odour from different composting facilities. Regarding the type of process engineering and the location of the facilities, (M)VOC were measured at different sampling points within and at certain distances in a downwind direction from the facilities. Adverse health effects due to volatiles are discussed for compost workers as well as for residents in the vicinity of composting facilities.
Part 1 of the investigation aimed at characterizing specific spectra of (M)VOC for different parts of the composting process with regard to windborne losses of odorous compounds and type of process engineering.
Part 2 focussed on the immission of (M)VOC and odorous compounds, and pointed out volatile compounds which may account for typical compost odour (Müller et al. 2003).
ABSTRACT
Goal, Scope and Background. Malodorous volatiles derived from the decomposition of biowaste within the process of composting might pose a risk to human health. Different techniques of process engineering have been developed to minimise the burden of malodorous compounds in air possibly affecting compost workers and residents in the vicinity.
Methods: In the present study, three different composting facilities were examined for the emission of volatiles to estimate the impact of process engineering on the dispersal of odorous compounds and to discuss its relevance for human health.
Results and Discussion. Concentrations of single compounds belonging to alcohols, ketones, furanes, sulfur-containing compounds and especially terpenes ranged from 102 up to nearly 106 ng/m3 depending on the sampling sites and the process engineering. The ratio of MVOC and total VOC measured changed throughout the process of biodegradation. A certain combination of volatile compounds coincided with the occurrence of typical compost odour.
Conclusion. The type of process engineering seemed to have a major impact on the emission of volatiles, as amounts of (microbial) volatiles emitted were characteristic for the different techniques used. Thus, the MVOC emission basically depends on the degree of biodegradation. It is likely that the concentrations workers are exposed to can have an impact on human health.
Recommendations and Outlook. It is obvious that less sophisticated types of process engineering give rise to greater amounts of bioaerosols and volatiles and, therefore, technical devices have to be improved and controlled regularly to minimise adverse health effects on workers. |
