ABSTRACT
Culturable airborne bacteria and fungi were sampled in a domestic waste transfer station in Mexico City. Allergic alveolitis, particularly, may be associated with exposure to large concentrations of microorganisms made airborne by work-related activities. Such concentrations usually greatly exceed those normally found in outdoor air. Concentrations of microorganisms downwind of the waste site were greater than upwind. Salmonella was recovered on Trypticase Soy Agar from 14% of samples. Household waste is taken to transfer stations, where it is loaded into bulk containers for transportation to landfill sites. A large proportion of the waste is putrescible and may also contain fecal and other microorganisms from human and animal sources, e.g., from disposable diapers, animal feces. Exposure to large concentrations of dust during the handling of domestic waste has previously been reported in other countries. Respiratory symptoms, abdominal pains, and diarrhea have often been reported by domestic waste transfer station workers.
