Bioaerosol exposure assessment of aquaculture workers in Korea

In aquaculture, biological hazards can be exposed to workers in the form of bioaerosols. This study is to evaluate the level of biological hazard exposure and to provide fundamental data for the health management of aquaculture workers in Korea. A field survey was conducted to measure bioaerosol exposure at ten aquaculture farms in areas where Korean aquaculture is concentrated. Airborne bacteria and fungi with size distribution and identification were measured by simultaneously monitoring temperature and relative humidity. Particularly, high concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi were observed in farms G and H. Compared to the standards set by the Korean Ministry of Environment, both total airborne bacteria and fungi concentrations exceeded the limit in farms G and H, with the airborne fungi concentration showing four times higher than the standard. As a cause, it is believed to be the quantity and form of work. In size distribution, it was similar to previous study. However, the respirable size range accounted for more than 50% of total concentration, so extra caution should be needed. Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., and Bacillus spp. are dominant species for airborne bacteria whereas Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Alternaria spp. are dominant species for airborne fungi. Most farms had concentrations below the standard, but two farms exceeded the standard, likely due to work type. And some caution is needed for respirable size bioaerosol. Further research is needed, considering additional factors such as tank type, fish species, and type of works.