Detection and characterisation of inflammatory agents associated with bioaerosol emitted from biowaste and intensive agriculture
Lead Research Organisation:
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Water, Energy and Environment
Abstract
The biowaste (eg composting) and intensive agriculture (eg housed poultry / pigs) industries emit bioaerosol of significance to human health. Whilst some progress has been made in characterising emissions from these industries relatively little headway has been made regarding the linked research questions of: understanding exposure of the general public to bioaerosol; putting process-based exposures into the context of background exposure to natural bioaerosol (or other anthropogenic sources); quantifying health risk and setting health-based standards. A critical limiting factor in all of these areas is the lack of advanced microbiological methods (sampling, analytical, interpretative) to quantify and qualify bioaerosol emissions and dispersion. Our current evidence base is almost entirely reliant on short duration "snapshot" sampling and culture-dependent microbiology. Whilst traditional microbiology remains fit for purpose in specific circumstances, new fast and efficient methods are needed to understand the nature and significance of non-viable bioaerosol fractions and to develop a new generation of monitoring approaches to deal with the research questions posed above.
Aerosolised endotoxin is an attractive research subject in the context of this NERC programme. It is ubiquitous in biowaste and agricultural emissions. Previous occupational bioaerosol research has established an exposure-response relationship. In the Netherlands, endotoxin is regarded as the prime candidate for health-based bioaerosol emission limits / exposure guidelines for workers and the public. Yet, confidence in the development and implementation of evidence-based regulation of this bioaerosol molecule continues to be constrained by gaps in our fundamental understanding of the nature of endotoxin in ambient air which in turn stems from limitations in measurement techniques. In this research we aim to develop new methodologies capable of characterising and quantifying emissions of endotoxin in air.
Objectives
- develop new methods to size fractionate endotoxin and elucidate structural features;
- develop a novel biosensor for rapid detection of endotoxin, other inflammatory agents and cells (live/dead)
- use the WIBS real-time bioaerosol sensor to understand emission and dispersion of bioaerosol including endotoxin
- characterise industry-specific bioaerosol emissions at composting and farm sites
- detect microbial pathogens at biowaste and intensive agricultural facilities using novel methods
- generate improved exposure assessments around biowaste / intensive agricultural facilities using dispersion modelling and Openair.
Whilst our work plan focuses on new endotoxin detection methods we are cogniscent of the fact that there are other biomolecules in air that promote inflammation when inhaled. These will be detected by the novel biosensor and we aim to distinguish the signalling pathways and demonstrate how the cells respond to different biomolecular challenges.
The research team has unparalleled experience in translating cutting edge bioaerosol science into policy and practice. Uncertainty with respect to health effects from regulated industrial processes is deleterious to all stakeholders concerned including the public, regulators, the Government, industry and investors. The public remains fearful of the potential health impacts. Regulators face uncertainty in terms of striking the right balance between public health protection and encouraging economic development. Planning and licensing delays constrain Government waste strategy and economic development initiatives and create problems for entrepreneurs trying to deliver Government targets and establish viable businesses. Whilst this research will be underpinned by excellent new science, it is clear that the impact agenda is driven by the potential for translating this into a regulatory science evidence base, new regulatory guidance and models for the protection of public health.
Aerosolised endotoxin is an attractive research subject in the context of this NERC programme. It is ubiquitous in biowaste and agricultural emissions. Previous occupational bioaerosol research has established an exposure-response relationship. In the Netherlands, endotoxin is regarded as the prime candidate for health-based bioaerosol emission limits / exposure guidelines for workers and the public. Yet, confidence in the development and implementation of evidence-based regulation of this bioaerosol molecule continues to be constrained by gaps in our fundamental understanding of the nature of endotoxin in ambient air which in turn stems from limitations in measurement techniques. In this research we aim to develop new methodologies capable of characterising and quantifying emissions of endotoxin in air.
Objectives
- develop new methods to size fractionate endotoxin and elucidate structural features;
- develop a novel biosensor for rapid detection of endotoxin, other inflammatory agents and cells (live/dead)
- use the WIBS real-time bioaerosol sensor to understand emission and dispersion of bioaerosol including endotoxin
- characterise industry-specific bioaerosol emissions at composting and farm sites
- detect microbial pathogens at biowaste and intensive agricultural facilities using novel methods
- generate improved exposure assessments around biowaste / intensive agricultural facilities using dispersion modelling and Openair.
Whilst our work plan focuses on new endotoxin detection methods we are cogniscent of the fact that there are other biomolecules in air that promote inflammation when inhaled. These will be detected by the novel biosensor and we aim to distinguish the signalling pathways and demonstrate how the cells respond to different biomolecular challenges.
The research team has unparalleled experience in translating cutting edge bioaerosol science into policy and practice. Uncertainty with respect to health effects from regulated industrial processes is deleterious to all stakeholders concerned including the public, regulators, the Government, industry and investors. The public remains fearful of the potential health impacts. Regulators face uncertainty in terms of striking the right balance between public health protection and encouraging economic development. Planning and licensing delays constrain Government waste strategy and economic development initiatives and create problems for entrepreneurs trying to deliver Government targets and establish viable businesses. Whilst this research will be underpinned by excellent new science, it is clear that the impact agenda is driven by the potential for translating this into a regulatory science evidence base, new regulatory guidance and models for the protection of public health.
Planned Impact
The key beneficiaries of this research are:
-Policy makers and regulators of biowaste and intensive agriculture
-The biowaste and intensive agriculture industry
-Industry associations e.g. Renewable Energy Association and NFU
-The general public living near these facilities
-Health Services, Health & Safety Executive and Public Health England
Emission of bioaerosols from composting and intensive agriculture is a critical concern for the public; for the industry, which needs to generate the business confidence required to secure investment in new infrastructure (and which often faces opposition from local people at the planning stage); for regulators who need robust evidence for proportionate decisions; and for the delivery of the Government waste strategy.
The impact of this proposal falls into three categories from the RCUK typologies:
Improving health & wellbeing
The results from this research will be used to improve current bioaerosol dispersion modelling protocols, allowing improved predictions of downwind concentrations and the duration of exposure to bioaerosols from composting. This research will provide a significant step towards defining clear exposure limits for environmental exposure to bioaerosols.
Evidence based policy-making and influencing public policies
The Environment Agency (EA) based its first position statement on bioaerosols from composting in 2001 on the limited bioaerosols information available at the time at a time of unprecedented growth in the UK composting industry. The EA had to strike a balance between: the precautionary principle (in the absence of a strong evidence base); the commercial needs of a burgeoning industry; and the national requirement to divert organic waste from landfill. Whilst the evidence base has been significantly strengthened in the past ten years, there is a way to go before regulatory policy on bioaerosols in ambient air could be considered stable (the fact that the current position statement is referred to as "interim" guidance indicates that regulation is expected to change as new information becomes available). The EA currently has no formal position statement on bioaerosols from intensive agriculture and it needs one.
The research consortium has strong links with the EA. The key impact of this research will be improvements in the EA's ability to regulate composting and intensive agriculture, as well as influencing the planning and design of control mechanisms for bioaerosols, essential for improving the health and wellbeing of UK citizens. This research will provide the scientific evidence to support regulatory decision making and provide confidence to the public that these facilities can be safely operated.
Enhancing the research capacity, knowledge and skills of public, private and third sector organisations
This research will benefit the site operators by developing and testing novel methods for monitoring bioaerosols; provide insights into the mechanisms that influence dispersal of bioaerosol emissions; and support the development of procedures to reduce their impacts on the environment. Additionally, the novel science generated may reduce the requirement for expensive monitoring regimes and so provide economic benefits to site operators.
Other potential beneficiaries include industry bodies who are providing information to their members regarding bioaerosols, and who have experienced difficulties due to the lack of information in this area. These include the Renewable Energy Association, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and the NFU.
We also anticipate commercial opportunities arising from the research. We have strong links with Droplet Measurement Technologies who are developing the WIBS and with Lonza who make endotoxin detection kits.
The mechanisms to achieve impact are described in the Pathways to Impact.
-Policy makers and regulators of biowaste and intensive agriculture
-The biowaste and intensive agriculture industry
-Industry associations e.g. Renewable Energy Association and NFU
-The general public living near these facilities
-Health Services, Health & Safety Executive and Public Health England
Emission of bioaerosols from composting and intensive agriculture is a critical concern for the public; for the industry, which needs to generate the business confidence required to secure investment in new infrastructure (and which often faces opposition from local people at the planning stage); for regulators who need robust evidence for proportionate decisions; and for the delivery of the Government waste strategy.
The impact of this proposal falls into three categories from the RCUK typologies:
Improving health & wellbeing
The results from this research will be used to improve current bioaerosol dispersion modelling protocols, allowing improved predictions of downwind concentrations and the duration of exposure to bioaerosols from composting. This research will provide a significant step towards defining clear exposure limits for environmental exposure to bioaerosols.
Evidence based policy-making and influencing public policies
The Environment Agency (EA) based its first position statement on bioaerosols from composting in 2001 on the limited bioaerosols information available at the time at a time of unprecedented growth in the UK composting industry. The EA had to strike a balance between: the precautionary principle (in the absence of a strong evidence base); the commercial needs of a burgeoning industry; and the national requirement to divert organic waste from landfill. Whilst the evidence base has been significantly strengthened in the past ten years, there is a way to go before regulatory policy on bioaerosols in ambient air could be considered stable (the fact that the current position statement is referred to as "interim" guidance indicates that regulation is expected to change as new information becomes available). The EA currently has no formal position statement on bioaerosols from intensive agriculture and it needs one.
The research consortium has strong links with the EA. The key impact of this research will be improvements in the EA's ability to regulate composting and intensive agriculture, as well as influencing the planning and design of control mechanisms for bioaerosols, essential for improving the health and wellbeing of UK citizens. This research will provide the scientific evidence to support regulatory decision making and provide confidence to the public that these facilities can be safely operated.
Enhancing the research capacity, knowledge and skills of public, private and third sector organisations
This research will benefit the site operators by developing and testing novel methods for monitoring bioaerosols; provide insights into the mechanisms that influence dispersal of bioaerosol emissions; and support the development of procedures to reduce their impacts on the environment. Additionally, the novel science generated may reduce the requirement for expensive monitoring regimes and so provide economic benefits to site operators.
Other potential beneficiaries include industry bodies who are providing information to their members regarding bioaerosols, and who have experienced difficulties due to the lack of information in this area. These include the Renewable Energy Association, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and the NFU.
We also anticipate commercial opportunities arising from the research. We have strong links with Droplet Measurement Technologies who are developing the WIBS and with Lonza who make endotoxin detection kits.
The mechanisms to achieve impact are described in the Pathways to Impact.
Organisations
- CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY (Lead Research Organisation)
- Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) (Collaboration)
- Health and Safety Executive (Collaboration)
- National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) (Collaboration)
- CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Environment Agency (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (Collaboration)
- Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
Publications
Tian JH
(2020)
Real time detection and characterisation of bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment plants.
in The Science of the total environment
Williams, B
(2018)
Towards improving bioaerosol model validation and verification
Description | We have reason to believe that exposure to industrial bioaerosol emissions could be harmful to human health. Regulatory agencies have, for several years, taken a precautionary approach to protecting public health based upon the available and steadily growing evidence base. There are however knowledge gaps which create uncertainty. The regulatory science research challenges include: • Identifying the most potent bioaerosol emission sources • Quantifying the effectiveness of emission control measures • Determining safe distances between facilities and sensitive receptors • Confidence in dispersion modelling to simulate exposures • Placing waste and agricultural exposures into the context of exposure from other sources; • Quantifying health risk and setting health-based standards • Monitoring the right things Resolving these challenges has been are constrained by the microbiological methods available. This project aimed to tackle some of these constraints and in doing so to improve exposure assessment, understand exposure response relationships and contribute to proportionate regulation and cost effective compliance monitoring. We have simultaneously deployed conventional and advanced microbiological methods to characterise better the industrial emissions from composting and poultry houses. In doing so we have detected potential pathogens in low numbers, identified the predominant culturable organisms and confirmed that very high numbers of culturable bacteria are emitted from these sources. We have carried out extensive laboratory and field analysis of the size fractions in which endotoxin - a pro-inflammatory chemical - is found. We have found high concentrations of endotoxin in both the compost and poultry emissions. These concentrations decline quickly with distance. Most of the endotoxin is associated with larger aerosol particles which don't travel far. Nevertheless there is appreciable endotoxin in the more mobile finer aerosol fractions. A novel sensor was used to detect fluorescent particulate matter in real-time. There is strong evidence to suggest that this strongly fluorescent aerosol is biological in origin. We have shown that real-time monitoring of fluorescent particles are correlated with site activity. This real-time assessment of emissions is not possible with available, conventional methods and may have implications for emissions monitoring in the future. We have established the size distribution of these fluorescent particles and showed that this distribution differs between compost and chicken house emissions. The fluorescence spectra are being analysed and this is providing new insights into how we might target specific bacteria and fungi in the future with simple low cost sensors. There is great potential for bioaerosol air dispersion to be simulated using computer models. Over recent years there has been progress with regards modelling approaches but there remain important gaps. In this project we have created a new database of emission characteristics which is improving our modelling methods. We have deployed improved models to simulate dispersion from the sites we have studied. In parallel work supported by this project we have applied our improved modelling approaches to bioaerosol modelling at a national scale. Whilst good progress is being made there remains a great deal to do to achieve confidence on bioaerosol modelling. One of the fundamental challenges in the field of environmental microbiology and human health is to understand and relate bioaerosol exposure to human health impact. We have developed a physiologically-relevant co-culture model of alveolar macrophages (MPI cells) and epithelial cells and exposed this co-culture to samples collected at the industrial sites we have studied. We have confirmed the immune reactivity of compost aerosol - especially from the coarse fraction - further confirming the link between endotoxin exposure and health-relevant cell response. The compost-derived endotoxin is more reactive in the cell model than that from the chicken houses suggesting interesting new avenues in understanding inflammatory mechanisms which we are pursuing. The cell model is highly responsive to endotoxin suggesting its potential future use as a biosensor. There is very strong evidence to suggest that the MPI cells trigger damage and cell death in the alveolar epithelial cells when exposed to endotoxin, and that this reaction is associated with significant cytokine production. |
Exploitation Route | The findings are of use to the environmental regulators in developing their policy on regulating waste management facilities and intensive agriculture facilities. Our findings will be of interest to manufacturers of bioaerosol monitoring sensors. |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | The findings of this research are continuously being fed through to the Environment Agency in support of their evolving updates on bioaerosol regulation from industrial facilities. For instance our research has informed the recent publication by the Environment Agency of its Technical Guidance Note M9 on the Environment monitoring of Bioaerosols at Regulated Facilities |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | M9 National Bioaerosols Monitoring Protocol |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | Improved monitoring for bioaerosols around intensive agriculture and waste management sites - although M9 is not yet released some of the discussions have been around some of the propriety research for the NERC work which has influenced how results are now being interpreted by the Environment Agency. Met again in February 2019 to discuss outcomes of project. |
Description | Science to policy working group set up as part of NERC EM&HH Programme Integration Group work package |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Description | Improving Health with Environmental Data (NERC 2016) |
Amount | £29,688 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/P010806/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2017 |
End | 04/2018 |
Description | Indoor/outdoor Bioaerosols Interface and Relationships Network - BioAirNet |
Amount | £507,471 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/V002171/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2020 |
End | 08/2024 |
Title | Non-viable Andersen Impactor |
Description | Using an existing air sampler for a new method of endotoxin collection in highly contaminated environments. |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Still in development - but we believe this method of air sampling (high volume filtration based) will be a future M9 National Protocol for collection of endotoxin for the purposes of regulation. |
Title | Sampling and analysis of endotoxin |
Description | Perfecting whether endotoxin storage and transport after sampling e.g. freezing, not-freezing, filter material etc. |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Updating of sampling protocol within NERC project which will eventually be published. |
Title | Estimated Aspergillus fumigatus concentrations at postcode level within close proximity of outdoor composting facilities in England, 2005-2014 |
Description | These files represent the model build used to generate postcode level concentrations to estimate Aspergillus fumigatus exposure from outdoor composting activities in England between 2005 and 2014. Each file, named after the nearest SCAIL-Agriculture validated meteorological station used to model the outputs, contains modelled concentrations at composting sites within 4km of each composting site. These files, presented as.txt, are the .APL files used to model bioaerosol dispersion from every composting site in England, using ADMS 5. To use this file, please convert the .txt file extension to .APL and upload into ADMS. From there, press run. Model runs are likely to generate over 40GB of data per model run. The work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council grants ((NE/P010806/1 and NE/M011631/1). |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/9f1b307b-9b47-4a11-8e5b-e14008ad0032 |
Title | Real-time bioaerosol emission data from a range of environmental sources, UK, 2016-2018 |
Description | The data offers insights to utility of single particle ultraviolet light- induced fluorescence (UV-LIF) measurements in providing quantification and spatio-temporal characterisation of bioaerosols alongside the size distribution and characteristics of biological materials in airborne particles based on intrinsic bio fluorophores signatures. A novel ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence (UV-LIF) based bioaerosol sensor unit (Spectral Intensity Bioaerosol Sensor (SIBS)) was evaluated. The SIBS measures size, number, shape, and resolved fluorescence emission across 16 wavelength bands from 298 - 735 nm for two excitation wavelengths (285 nm and 370 nm) for single particles in real-time. Measurements entailed the chamber-based studies and real world environments (composting, dairy farms, chicken farms, sewage treatment plants, urban background, agricultural). This data stems as a part of a project (Detection and characterisation of inflammatory agents associated with bioaerosol emitted from biowaste and intensive agriculture) funded by the Natural Environment Research Council [NE/M01163/1]. The award was made under the auspices of the Environmental Microbiology and Human Health programme. The principal purpose was to assess the capabilities of the SIBS to enhance understanding of the bioaerosols emission and dispersion from industrial processes. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/id/98970053-b34c-44da-97bd-fbfc38fa8b7a |
Title | Viable bioaerosol and particulate data from four sites representing different levels of endotoxin exposure in south east England, 2016-2018 |
Description | Viable bioaerosol data from compost sites and intensive farming. Also particulate data and size fractionated endotoxin. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Available for future bioaerosol research. |
URL | https://catalogue.ceh.ac.uk/documents/acae99ba-b088-4544-9c48-71d70498c16f |
Description | COST Action BioExposome |
Organisation | Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Contribution to COST proposal on the bioexposome |
Collaborator Contribution | LBL led and submitted the COST Action proposal |
Impact | Proposal submitted |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Collaboration with EA |
Organisation | Environment Agency |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Contributions to EA policy |
Collaborator Contribution | Contributions of policy background and regulatory science |
Impact | M9 Technical Guidance Note |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with HSE (through PHE) |
Organisation | Health and Safety Executive (HSE) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | PHE and HSE are meeting regularly to discuss the issues of mutual interest arising from Endotox II |
Collaborator Contribution | HSE have significant bioaerosols expertise and contribute knowledge to the project team. |
Impact | On going meetings |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Collaboration with RIVM in Netherlands |
Organisation | National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Established link with RIVM through networking at conference |
Collaborator Contribution | RIVM have set up a joint NL - UK bioaerosol meeting |
Impact | Joint meeting in Bilthoven in 2017 |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Collaboration with dstl |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Meetings hosted at Cranfield |
Collaborator Contribution | Meetings hosted at dstl |
Impact | Collaborative information exchange |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Environment and Human Health programme integration conference meeting |
Organisation | Cranfield University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Organised the programme integration conference |
Collaborator Contribution | gave talks at the conference |
Impact | determination of experimental approaches and data management |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Odour and Bioaerosol Research Proposal with University College Dublin |
Organisation | Cranfield University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | EndotoxII researchers from University of the West of England and Cranfield University collaborated with University College Dublin to bid into the Irish EPA STRIVE Research Programme to undertake research on odour and bioaerosol monitoring and modelling for agriculture and waste facilities. Unfortunately the proposal was unsuccessful. However conversations with UCD have continued and knowledge/advice exchanged between the research teams particularly around modelling of emissions from poultry units. This discussion has also been linked into ongoing discussions and knowledge exchange activities through an EU COST Action Programme called LivAGE which is exploring the monitoring and modelling of ammonia and gaseous emissions from intensive agriculture. |
Collaborator Contribution | EndotoxII researchers from University of the West of England and Cranfield University collaborated with University College Dublin to bid into the Irish EPA STRIVE Research Programme to undertake research on odour and bioaerosol monitoring and modelling for agriculture and waste facilities. Unfortunately the proposal was unsuccessful |
Impact | Proposal was unsuccessful |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | UWE/Imperial Modelling Collaboration |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Chemistry |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The collaboration has brought two modelling and data analytic groups together (UWE and Imperial) who have been working on developing dispersion modelling protocols for composting facilities in England and determine the health impact of bioaerosols in the vicinity of these facilities. Every composting site in England was spatially mapped and imported into a regulatory approved atmospheric dispersion model (ADMS) and using Apsergillus Fumigatus as a bioaerosol indicator, the bioaerosol footprint and impact was quantified and spatially mapped across England. The UWE team undertook this spatial dispersion modelling drawing upon the knowledge derived from the EndotoxII project. This bioaerosol spatial data was then assessed against population weighted postcode centroid to consider potential exposure risk and also as temporal population health data to determine the health burden. |
Collaborator Contribution | The collaboration has provided opportunities for knowledge sharing to enhance the quality, assumptions and accuracy of the modelling scenarios being developed in EntotoxII project. |
Impact | Collaboration brings air quality practitioners and public health professionals together. The collaboration has led to the development and submission of a successful proposal to NERC to run a short parallel research project entitled "BIOlogical air pollution Modelling and associations with Lung Disease (BIOMOLD)" (see Funding section). While EndotoxII will focus on the enhancement of dispersion modelling scenarios and the integration of novel datasets at one particular site, the BIOMOLD project has undertake basic modelling for every composting site in England to determine exposure and potential health impacts. To date two papers has been published (in collaboraton with the EntotoxII project - see Publications return) on the exposure risk and a second paper on the health burden is under development. The main conclusion to date is that approximately 7 million people live within 4km of a composting site and therefore are at potential risk of exposure. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | UWE/NILU Data Analysis Collaboration |
Organisation | Norwegian Institute for Air Research |
Country | Norway |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | This collaboration brings together data analysis professionals to discuss data analysis techniques particularly related to SIBS monitoring data. UWE has offered an approach using the R Statistical Programme and the Openair package. |
Collaborator Contribution | NILU has provided a knowledge sharing opportunity to discuss data analysis approaches. Techniques discussed include the potential applications of machine learning / artificial intelligence and principal component analysis. |
Impact | No formal output - this was an informal knowledge exchange collaboration in which data scientists from UWE and NILE shared ideas and suggest possible strategies. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Title | Development of SIBS |
Description | The firmware and analytical toolkit associated with the SIBS is under continuous development by Droplet Measurement Technologies |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | The SIBS is a novel real-time bioaerosol monitor. As a result of Cranfield's research, DMT are improving their device and the approaches to data analysis |
Description | AWE International, Issue 48, Pages; 47-53. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | An article was published in AWE International - the magazine's focus is the impact of industry on the environment and the analytical processes used to assess that impact. We discussed capability requirements to advance bioaerosols risk assessment and management from industrial processes and offer a snapshot view of capabilities of a novel fluorescence based bioaerosol sensor unit to advance bioaerosols emissions characterisation from industrial sources. The publisher is interested in follow up article. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.aweimagazine.com/article/real-time-bioaerosol-detection |
Description | Aerosol Society Bioaerosol Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | An Aerosol Society focus group meeting on Bioaerosol held at the University of Bristol 8th of June 2017 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://aerosol-soc.com/events/bioaerosols-focus-meeting-10/ |
Description | Annual Programme Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The final Programme Conference disseminating research findings |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | EAC2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk at the European Aerosol Conference 2016 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Emissions Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Specialist industry conference attended by around 60-70 people. Attendees were both site operators and consultants who carry out environmental monitoring. A series of presentations followed by a panel debate of four people, two of which are PIs on this NERC grant. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www.regonline.co.uk/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1620265 |
Description | Environment Agency Bioaerosol Expert Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Sean Tyrrel and Toni Gladding met with EA and SEPA professionals and bioaerosol monitoring consultants to update on our research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | ISES 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference talk |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Informal meeting NESTA Challenge Prize |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Broad talk and discussion on air quality challenges in the UK. This included an overview of the EndotoxII project, sources of bioaerosols and the impact on health. This talk will be used to inform a workshop in March 2017 to build towards the development of a new NESTA Challenge Prize. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Informal meeting Taylor University Kuala Lumpur |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Overview presentation to academics from Taylor University on air quality management research at UWE including a detailed overview of the EndotoxII project aims and objectives. This presentation raised awareness of the potential sources and impact of bioaerosols while also exploring the transboundary impact of biomass burning in SE Asia |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | International Network of Environmental Forensics Conference (10-12 July 2017, Beijing, China) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation on 'Spatial and temporal modelling of bioaerosols from intensive agricultural facilities in England' by Ben Williams (UWE) to an audience of environmental forensic scientists and policy makers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.rsc-inef.net/inef-2017.html |
Description | Meeting between Allan Bennett PHE and RIVM Netherlands |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Meeting to discuss work carried out by RIVM in the dispersion of pathogens and antibiotic resistant bacteria from intensive farms and related issues |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | NERC Environmental Microbiology and Human Health Programme Annual Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | In the annual programme conference we invited policymakers and practitioners to present and discuss the need for environmental microbiology research, the share latest findings and to help to develop the forward research agenda. Held in September 2017 in Birmingham. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | RAMBIE-EndotoxII meeting with stakeholders |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A cross project meeting between the RAMBIE and Endotox II projects with invited stakeholders from the EA and dstl. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | REA Annual Bioaerosol Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Member of an expert panel debating the implementation of proposed new bioaerosol monitoring arrangements in England |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | RIVM-PHE Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | RIVM & PHE have a formal link. Resulting from their joint interest in bioaerosols and public health a meeting was organised to share UK / NL recent research. Held in Bilthoven in April 2017. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Science to Policy meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Kick-off meeting of a science into policy working group involving the EA, PHE, Defra. Discussion regarding the Science into Policy Regulatory Consensus work package. Participants agreed to form the steering group. Outputs to be developed are a survey to determine key legislation and guidance; a policy/legislation review; and two events. Events will focus on horizon scanning and AMR. Dates to be decided |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Science to policy workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A round table expert panel communicating Programme findings to policymakers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Symposium - Bioaerosols, microbiome and lung disease |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Joint meeting of Public Health England and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands with bioaerosol researchers to explore and disseminate latest research and thinking on bioaerosols in the UK and the Netherlands. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | UK Aerosol Society Focus Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Meeting bring UK and International academics, practitioners and industry together to discussion and share current knowledge on bioaerosol monitoring and modelling and how this may influence regulatory processes and policy. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.rsc.org/events/detail/26517/bioaerosols-aerosol-society-focus-meeting-10 |
Description | Waste Industry Safety and Health Bioaerosols sub-group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Specialist group to write guidance for the waste industry regarding bioaerosols. The outcomes of the NERC research will feed into this group, which ultimately will go to the Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) national guidance. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
URL | http://wish.org.uk |