BACTERIA: Big Data Communication Strategies for Bioaerosols
Lead Research Organisation:
Cranfield University
Department Name: School of Water, Energy and Environment
Abstract
Biological air pollution (bioaerosols) are airborne microorganisms, particularly fungi and bacteria. Bioaerosols from composting facilities have the potential to cause health impacts and are regulated by the Environment Agency. People living near composting facilities are concerned about the impacts on their health. Current monitoring methods use spot measurements and so only provide an indication of concentrations for the particular short-term measurement period. New and novel methods for monitoring bioaerosols are being tested. These newly emerging measurement techniques have the potential to radically increase the amount and extent of data collected on bioaerosol.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Gillian Drew (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Martina Della Casa (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/M009009/1 | 05/10/2015 | 31/12/2022 | |||
| 1878512 | Studentship | NE/M009009/1 | 06/03/2017 | 06/02/2021 | Martina Della Casa |
| Description | This PhD consists of 4 objectives. All of them have been completed and the writing process is underway. In relation to objective 1 a procedure and an acceptable level has been proposed concerning the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus (a major indicator of mortality likelihood from composting). In relation to objective 4, a better understanding has been achieved of people's perception in relation to pollutants associated with composting. This latter objective, which targeted Climate Science skeptics and supporters showed that the difference in perception people have in relation to the Climate Change issue affects also the perception they have in relation to air pollutants mortality likelihood associated with composting and other hazards. Acting therefore on improving misperceptions related on the Climate Change issue may therefore improve misperceptions held on the air pollution issue as well and vice versa. The results may also help better defining the groups of people potentially more at risk of being negatively affected by air pollutants who are, in that case, the Climate Science skeptics. Objective 2 and 3 concern identifying the actual mortality likelihood following exposure to different composters and model their dispersion over short distances. One of these composters, which produces compost in 24 hours has been found to release the highest concentration especially of PM, HCHO and VOC and therefore it has been identified as having the highest mortality likelihood potential. This was followed by the thumbler. Understanding which composters are responsible for the highest emission is important also to allow users take better informed decisions. |
| Exploitation Route | The end-point is to help inform communication approaches to address perceptions of risks. The achievement of this objective will also potentially improve current mitigation measures (by introducing/better tailoring, for example, current restrictions/rules following any faulty public perception eventually identified through the survey), ultimately reducing the number of hospitalizations and deaths. The results produced from the survey and acceptable identification can therefore lead to a reduction in mortality cases by making aware: • The respondents of their own health risk; • The regulators of the factors affecting actual and perceived mortality likelihood in relation to air pollutants from composting Understanding which composters are responsible for the highest emission is important to allow users take better informed decisions and understand the extent of the problem and severity on a spatial scale. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Energy,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
| Title | Suggested approach for acceptable level identification |
| Description | This approach on acceptable level identification consists of a few steps. First studies conducted on dose-response in relation to mice on the basis of certain criteria are selected, then the maximum dose level resulting in 0% mortality for the mice is identified, then the equation in relation to HED is applied and then the equivalent concentration in CFU/m3 in the air is extrapolated by recurring to another equation. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - human |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This proposed methodology was developed in December 2020. Although mortality likelihood estimates have been proposed concerning airborne pathogens, a fully agreed and supported approach towards mortality likelihood estimates was not reached. The problem with those values is a lack of rigorous, scientifically-based approaches behind them that could provide evidence that an accurate estimate of the real value has finally been identified. Defining an acceptable level will: • Substantially improve the spatial risk level estimation of bioaerosols; • Increase the precision level of current regulatory measures; • Better contextualise current mitigation plans and strategies; • Help develop better-tailored measures; • Generally improve current knowledge of health risks; and • Lead to a possible reduction in bioaerosol-related clinical cases |
| Title | Potential acceptable level identification technique for airborne pathogens |
| Description | See "Research Tools & Methods" section |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Some significant improvement in health risk assessment. See "Research Tools & Methods" section |