Mycological control and surveillance of biological waste and compost
Author:
Beffa T, Staib F, Lott Fischer J, Lyon P-F, Gumowski P, Marfenina OE, Dunoyer-Geindre S, Georgen F, Roch-Susuki R, Gallaz L, LatgÉ JP
Date: 10 May 2000
Abstract:
The collection and recycling of biosolids and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) is an important factor for the success of the so-called circle economy as a component of modern waste management policy.Composting is one of the major treatment processes used to transform biodegradable wastes (kitchen, garden and industrial waste and sewage sludge) into agriculturally useful products. Composting has several ecological and economical advantages:a) recycling of humigenic materials, to compensate for the important loss of humus in agricultural soils,b) reduction of treatment costs, compared to MSW incineration,c) energy gain (heat and electricity), in the case of pre-methanization,d) substitution of peat [31].Composting at industrial scale can pose problems of occupational safety, due to the occurrence of aerosols containing allergenic / pathogenic micro-organisms and toxins.Industrial composting has to be a controlled process, leading to optimal hygienisation (i.e. elimination of allergenic and pathogenic micro-organisms) and degradation of the biowaste. However, the composting procedures (systems and management) vary greatly and tend to be highly empirical. In addition, the composting waste management authorities often do not impose satisfactory plant performance criteria on the composting industry, particularly as regards hygiene. In consequence, accidents could occur, which would lead to the rejection of composting as a whole. It is therefore essential to shed light on the exclusion of risks associated with composting, i.e. the public health hazards due to allergenic or pathogenic micro-organisms, and in particular the mould Aspergillus fumigatus .
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