Belastung durch luftgetragene Schimmelpilze an Arbeitsplätzen in der Abfallwirtschaft: Erste Erfahrungen mit dem Technischen Kontrollwert (TKW) der Technischen Regeln für Biologische Arbeitsstoffe (TRBA) 211 für biologische Abfallbehandlungsanlagen

Considerably high concentrations of microorganisms may be proved at working places of the waste management industry, especially of airborne mould fungi. These concentrations may be a risk of health for workers. The data presented show a survey of concentrations of airborne mould fungi which are present forseveral parts of the waste management industry and at various working areas. Furthermore a study was carrried out to investigate which concentrations could be achieved with systems of ventilation corresponding to the standards of TRBA 211. Therefore measurements analogue to TRBA 211 have been performed at 33 plants of the waste management industry. 12 of the 33 plants were biological waste management facilities with working areas the TKW is valid for. The analyses have been performed according to BIA standard 9420. The evaluation of the results leads to the following general view: All sorting cabines had concentrations of mould fungi lower than 50000 CFU/m 3 air, if the ventilation systems were up to the state of the art accompanied by good measures of hygiene. At drivers cabines fitted with an air protection ventilation system and control desk rooms with good technical ventilation systems medium mould fungi concentrations fell below 10000 CFU/m 3 air, if the ventilation systems were handled carefully. These results of plant encroaching measurements lead to the conclusion that mould fungi concentrations may rather depend on the type of plant than on the branch of industry. To underpin this conclusion further studies should be carried out. For example in all drivers cabines of waste management vehicles running under comparable conditions, e. g. in a delivery hall, comparable concentrations of microorganisms do occur. This seems to be unaffected wether the hall is part of a compost plant or a sorting plant.