Bioaerosols from bioreactors for waste gas treatment: emissions, factors and exposure risk: a review

Abstract:

Biological treatment technology has been widely applied in the purification of waste gases owing to its high efficiency, low cost, simple operation, and seldom secondary pollution. However, bioaerosols can be discharged into the atmosphere as secondary pollutants from waste gas treatment facilities. Bioaerosols pose potential hazards and risks to human health due to the carrying and transmission of harmful microorganisms. Bioreactors for waste gas treatment are both sinks and sources of bioaerosols. This paper reviews the emission levels, microbial community structure, and particle size distribution characteristics of bioaerosols released from bioreactors for waste gas removal. Furthermore, we discuss the formation, sources, factors, and exposure risk of bioaerosols, aiming to provide a scientific basis and reference for the identification and control of bioaerosols, especially for those from biological treatment facilities.

Key words:waste gas treatment;bioreactors;bioaerosols;community structure;emission characteristics;exposure risk