Evaluation of Exposure to Fungal Spores and Recommendations for Their Control in a Beet Sugar Refinery (SENSOR) at Monitor Sugar Company, Bay City, Michigan.

摘要

A study was undertaken to document and evaluate effective techniques for the control of exposure to fungal spores at the Monitor Sugar Company (SIC-2063) in Bay City, Michigan. The Michigan SENSOR program reported that three workers at the company had developed asthma like symptoms and that one tested positive for allergic reactions to moldy beet sugar pulp. An in depth survey of employee exposure to microorganisms was conducted during the sugar production campaign and during the cleanup/maintenance phase. The bioaerosol evaluation included 70 personal and area samples which indicated the presence of multiple species of fungi. The pellet silo and the pellet loading operations were areas of high exposure to airborne microorganisms. The authors recommend measures to improve the storage of the pellets and reduce the growth of microorganisms, and also installation of ventilated loading spouts to contain dust generated during loading.