Ambient Bioaerosol Monitoring – Bonby, Lincolnshire

Redmore Environmental was commissioned to undertake Ambient Bioaerosol Monitoring to ensure Environmental Permit Compliance at a food waste handling facility in Bonby, Lincolnshire.

The facility accepts and processes up to 200,000-tonnes of biodegradable wastes from food preparation per year. These consist of both animal by-products waste and non-animal by-products waste. This is de-packaged, treated and dispatched off-site as feedstock for anaerobic digestion facilities.

Why is Ambient Bioaerosol Monitoring Required?

Bioaerosol is a general term for microorganisms suspended in the air. These include fungi and bacteria, as well as their components such as mycotoxins, endotoxins and glucans. Bioaerosols are generally less than 100μm in size and are not filtered out by hairs and specialised cells that line the nose. Due to their airborne nature and small size, many bioaerosols can penetrate the human respiratory system, resulting in inflammatory and allergic responses.

Although bioaerosols are ubiquitous, waste and waste management operations provide environments that are conducive to their growth. Bioaerosols are therefore associated with organic feedstocks and products, and in particular, handling activities, which release the micro-organisms into the air.

The Bioganix facility operates in accordance with an Environmental Permit issued by the Environment Agency. This requires quarterly ambient bioaerosol monitoring to be undertaken at the site in order to quantify potential impacts at sensitive locations and determine compliance with specified limit values.

Sampling Methods and Pollutants Tested

A programme of Ambient Bioaerosol Monitoring was undertaken at the facility by our team of Consultants. The scope was determined by the requirements of the Environmental Permit for the site. This included air sampling using Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) samplers in accordance with Environment Agency guidance ‘M9: Environmental Monitoring of Bioaerosols at Regulated Facilities‘.

During each visit, monitoring was undertaken upwind and downwind of the site. A fan-type sampling arrangement was utilised in order to quantify process contributions from operations. This ensured that measurements were made within the emission plume.

Following completion of each session, detailed analysis of the sampling results was undertaken. This provided an appraisal of potential impacts at sensitive locations in the vicinity of the site and determined compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Permit.

Ambient Bioaerosol Monitoring Outcomes

The Ambient Bioaerosol Monitoring helped the Operator to develop a comprehensive understanding of emissions from their food waste facility and demonstrate compliance with the Environmental Permit.

Redmore Environmental Ltd have also assisted the site in a number of additional air quality consultancy services. These have included the production of Bioaerosol Risk Assessments and Odour Assessments, to support Environmental Permit compliance.

How Can We Help?

A full range of our testing capabilities can be found on our Air Quality Monitoring services page. If you require bioaerosol monitoring or risk assessment services in support of Environmental Permit compliance or a Planning Application, then please get in touch with a member of our team today to find out more about how we can help you.