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Compost bioaerosol dust

Airborne dust containing microorganisms generated when green waste or compost is collected, moved, turned, screened, or maintained.

Airborne form

aerosol

The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.

Health effects

inhalation feveroccupational asthmabronchitisextrinsic allergic alveolitisrespiratory sensitization

Evidence

HSE states that handling green waste creates bioaerosols suspended with dust; repeated high-concentration inhalation may lead to inhalation fever, asthma, bronchitis, or extrinsic allergic alveolitis, and identifies compost bioaerosols as potential respiratory sensitisers.

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Health risks from collecting and handling green waste · 2
Collecting and handling green waste creates bioaerosols (microbes suspended with dust in the air) and these are breathed in when working. Repeated inhalation of compost bioaerosols in large concentrations has been shown to trigger the immune system, and could lead to: a short-term, flu-like reaction (inhalation fever); longer-term ill health such as developing asthma, bronchitis or extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

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