Bacterial Air Pollution from Activated Sludge Units

Large numbers of potentially pathogenic bacteria were collected from the air surrounding activated sludge units, and many persisted for a considerable time and distance. Significantly, the airborne enteric pathogens were greatly outnumbered by bacteria of proved pathogenicity in the respiratory tract. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the pathogen isolated most frequently, and several studies concerning the spread, longevity, and factors of pathogenicity of this organism were conducted. The potential health hazard of the emitted respiratory pathogens was considerably increased by the fact that a large percentage of the aerosol particles transporting viable bacteria were of a size permitting lung penetration.