Seasonal variation of endotoxin in the ambient air of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Delhi, India

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Arun Srivastava and Sunita Maharia

Jawaharlal Nehru University, India

: J Forensic Toxicol Pharmacol

Abstract

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In the present study, particulate samplings were carried out for the assessment of endotoxin in different sites of a sewage treatment plant for two seasons, namely summer and winter. The study was focused on the detection of endotoxin levels associated with the coarse (PM2.5-10) and fine particles (PM1.0-2.5). Air sampling was carried out with the cascade impactor “Dekati PM10 sampler”. Filters of the samples were analyzed with the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. The amount of endotoxin detected was observed low, however, the concentration of endotoxin in the summer season (124 EU/m3) significantly (P<0.05) exceeded the winter season (40 EU/m3). Among the sites under study, higher values were found at the grit chamber and aeration tank while, it was lower at final settlement tank. Two-way ANOVA result showed the statistically significant (P<0.05) individual effect of sampling sites and sample types as well as the interactive effect of sampling sites and sample types on the endotoxin concentrations. The endotoxin concentrations were found higher in coarse particles (PM2.5-10) than the corresponding fine particles (PM2.5). Since, we are well aware that endotoxins have the toxic effects on respiratory system, immune system etc., thus our result will be useful to understand the causative effects imposed on the workers of the STP pertaining to different sizes in various seasons. Very few investigations have been carried out at international level about exposure of workers to endotoxin in different sampling sites of STP.

Biography

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Email: srivastava02@hotmail.com