Characterisation of bioaerosols and evaluation of biological risks at the workplace : recent advances and perspectives

Microorganisms are microscopic living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment. These microbial entities, their components and metabolites can get airborne at occupational settings from process they are involved in or during handling of contaminated matters. The aim of the conference is to give a summary of the actual knowledge about occupational bioaerosol exposure including measurement methods and strategies, exposures levels and determinants, main health effects, data interpretation, and mitigation. The presentation quickly browses the technics and strategies available at the moment for the characterisation of bioaerosols at the workplace. High exposure levels were measured in numerous occupational situations found in diverse sectors such as health, agriculture, food industry, waste management etc. Several studies allow identifying the main determinants of the occupational exposure and the presentation gives an overview of tentative for few health-based OELs and guide values that were proposed. Few examples of bioaerosol exposure reduction are also given. The lecture finally addresses the future issues and research perspectives dealing with the assessment of occupational exposure to bioaerosols.