1. Composting And Aspergillus Fumigatus --- A Re-Emergent Issue?
- Author
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Coker, Craig and Millner, Patricia D.
- Subjects
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ASPERGILLUS fumigatus , *COMPOSTING , *ALMOND , *PEANUTS , *HYPERSENSITIVITY pneumonitis , *SLUDGE composting , *HEALTH facilities , *ANTIFUNGAL agents - Abstract
Recent research has discovered antifungal resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in retail grocery and garden center products, such as grapes, nuts, and compost. This fungus can cause serious infections in individuals with weakened immune systems. The main way of contracting the infection is by inhaling airborne spores. The presence of resistant A. fumigatus in retail products raises concerns about the effectiveness of treatments for fungal infections. Composting facilities can reduce the risk of A. fumigatus by implementing measures like transparent working conditions, efficient site design, conscientious operation, and staying updated on new research. This document provides information on employee hiring, composting facility and equipment design, conscientious site operation, and proactive responses to new research. It emphasizes the importance of informing potential employees about work conditions and potential health impacts, while also noting the legal restrictions on asking job applicants about their medical history. The document discusses the design of composting facilities to minimize the transfer of airborne particles and the use of operational procedures to mitigate dusty conditions. It also suggests that managers should incorporate new research on antifungal resistance into their training and operating practices. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024