Analysis of biopollutants to clarify health risks
In the area of pollutant analysis for biopollutants, the GSA Gesellschaft für Schadstoffanalytik mbH cooperates with a renowned external laboratory. Various sampling options are available.
Which one is the most suitable must be decided on an individual basis.
Loose or solid material samples can be taken for pollutant analysis or impaction methods (e.g. culture media or particle collections) can be used to detect spores or the like in the air. Sampling is carried out by our measurement technicians; our accredited partner laboratory in Bochum specializes in bioanalysis. For an individual consultation, please contact us here.
Definition of biological substances
According to the Biological Substances Ordinance, biological substances are defined as “microorganisms, cell cultures and endoparasites, including their genetically modified forms” that have a harmful effect on human health. These are, for example, infections, transmissible diseases, toxic or sensitizing effects. At the same level are engineered biological substances, which can also have a harmful effect on humans. Endoparasites (parasites living in humans) also fall into this category. In view of the potential hazard, they are also referred to as biopollutants.
Occurrence
Biological substances are found everywhere in our environment. As with all substances, Paracelsus’ axiom “The dose makes the poison” also applies here. However, there are substances that only require very small quantities to have a harmful effect on humans. Knowledge of the properties of these substances is essential for dealing with them. Biopollutants can also be found in everyday areas such as food or living spaces. They are increasingly being measured and detected indoors. To name a few examples, molds and house rot should be mentioned here. These can often be detected during renovation work in older buildings and represent a widespread hazard. Awareness of the potential dangers of biopollutants is therefore growing and analysis in this area is becoming increasingly important.
What is the health risk?
The risks to humans and the environment are substance-specific and are difficult to generalize. For this reason, only a few possible risks are mentioned here. No claim is made to completeness, only to give an impression of the biopollutants.
There are substances that can cause irritation on contact with the skin. Skin irritation is usually accompanied by redness and a rash. It can occur as a one-off phenomenon or as an allergic reaction. The greater danger comes from toxic, i.e. poisonous, substances. Depending on the amount of the bio-pollutant, contact can be fatal. One example is the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism. It can be found in spoiled food and can lead to nausea, vomiting and even respiratory paralysis. Mold spores can also pose a major health risk.
Ordinance on Biological Substances (BioStoffV)
The “Verordnung über Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz bei Tätigkeiten mit Biologischen Arbeitsstoffen”, or Biological Agents Ordinance (BioStoffV) for short, came into force on 23.07.2013.
The Biological Agents Ordinance applies to all activities involving biological agents (biological substances). It regulates protective and safety measures in day-to-day work with these substances. The ordinance is based on a risk assessment that lists the risks for employees and suitable occupational safety measures.
Furthermore, biological substances are classified into four different risk groups that describe the risk of infection they pose:
- Group: Biological substances that are unlikely to cause disease
- Group: Biological agents that can cause disease, potential risk to employees; unlikely to spread; effective prevention or treatment usually possible
- Group: Biological agents that cause serious illness, serious risk to employees possible; risk of spread exists; effective prevention or treatment normally possible
- Group: Biological agents that cause serious illness, serious risk to employees; high risk of spread; effective prevention or treatment not possible
A risk assessment is always carried out beforehand, which must also list all relevant safety measures. Documentation on the part of the employer is just as obligatory as the regular instruction of employees. TRBA 400 (Technical Rule for Biological Agents) describes the necessary procedural steps for the risk assessment of biopollutants. Suitable protective measures (e.g. safety goggles, face protection, breathing air supply independent of the environment) are drawn up according to the respective risk group and should be observed in the employee’s own interest.
Sources:
[1]: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/biostoffv_2013/BJNR251410013.html
[2]: https://www.bmas.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/PDF-Publikationen/a227-biostoffverordnung-2013-08.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3
[3]: https://www.bmas.de/DE/Themen/Arbeitsschutz/Technischer-Arbeitsschutz/biologische-arbeitsstoffe.html
[4]:https://www.bma-labor.de/
[5]: https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Botulismus
[6]: https://www.baua.de/DE/Angebote/Rechtstexte-und-Technische-Regeln/Regelwerk/TRBA/pdf/TRBA-400.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=7