occupational exposure

Biological approaches to mitigate heavy metal pollution from battery production effluents: advances, challenges, and perspectives

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Battery factories produce dirty water containing harmful heavy metals like lead and cadmium. Instead of using expensive chemical treatments, scientists are finding natural ways to clean this water using plants, bacteria, and other living organisms. These biological methods can remove up to 99% of the metals and are better for the environment. This review examines all these natural cleaning methods and suggests ways to make battery production cleaner and safer.

Microbial inactivation and emission of volatile organic compounds in low-heat thermal treatment of infectious healthcare waste

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Hospitals use special devices to sterilize infectious waste, but these machines can release harmful gases into the air. Researchers tested four different types of sterilizers in Tehran hospitals and found that machines with internal shredders work best and produce fewer harmful vapors. Temperature control during the sterilization process is crucial for effectiveness, and hospitals should install better air filtering systems to protect workers and the environment from exposure to these emissions.

Echoes of 1816: microbial footprints in heritage artifacts from Argentina’s museum of independence

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Scientists studied bacteria living on historic artifacts at Argentina’s Independence Museum to understand how microbes damage precious heritage items. They found 49 different bacterial species on artifacts like 200-year-old photographs, wooden furniture, and textiles, discovering that each artifact hosts a unique microbial community. The study shows that understanding these bacteria is crucial for preserving cultural treasures and protecting museum workers from potential health risks caused by microbial exposure during artifact handling and conservation.

On site discrimination between two closely related commercial strains of oyster mushroom using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test

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Scientists developed a quick molecular test to identify two specific commercial oyster mushroom strains (SPOPPO and ALLERPO) in less than 30 minutes using a technique called LAMP. These sporeless mushroom strains were created to reduce respiratory health problems that workers develop from inhaling mushroom spores. The new test helps mushroom producers and breeders quickly verify strain identity in the field to prevent unauthorized copying of these valuable varieties and to catch products of suspect origin.

Deep cutaneous fungal infection in an immunocompetent individual caused by a biological pesticide: a rare case report

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A 66-year-old farmer developed a deep skin fungal infection from a biological pesticide she used for over 10 years. The pesticide contained a fungus called Purpureocillium lilacinum, which is normally harmless to healthy people but caused repeated skin lesions on her face and arms. She was successfully treated with antifungal medication (itraconazole) for three months, and her skin fully healed without returning. This is the first reported case showing that biological pesticides can pose health risks to workers who handle them regularly.

From mold to mycotoxins: an LC–MS/MS method for quantifying airborne mycotoxins in indoor environments

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Mold in water-damaged buildings produces toxic compounds called mycotoxins that can become airborne and be breathed in. This study developed a precise laboratory method to detect and measure 29 different mycotoxins in indoor air samples. Researchers tested the method in three real mold-infested buildings and successfully identified seven different mycotoxins, proving the method works well even when toxin levels are very low. This breakthrough helps determine whether moldy indoor environments pose serious health risks to workers and occupants.

Seasonal discrepancy of airborne fungal diversity and community structure in Lentinula edodes factory

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This study examined how fungal spores in the air of shiitake mushroom factories change with the seasons and relate to a disease called shiitake artificial log rot disease (SLRD). Researchers found that when temperatures drop and humidity rises in autumn and winter, a harmful fungus called Trichoderma thrives in the air and causes more disease. By keeping the growing areas warmer, growers can significantly reduce disease occurrence and protect both their crops and workers’ health.

Addressing Critical Fungal Pathogens Under a One Health Perspective: Key Insights from the Portuguese Association of Medical Mycology

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This comprehensive study by Portugal’s mycology experts examines four dangerous fungi that cause severe infections: Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida auris, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. The research shows that Portugal’s hospitals have varying capabilities to diagnose and treat these infections, with some laboratories well-equipped and others lacking advanced diagnostic tools. The study found concerning increases in antifungal resistance and highlights that these fungi live in hospitals, water systems, soil, and even animals, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches connecting human, animal, and environmental health to better protect public health.

Research Keyword: occupational exposure