Another bioaerosols paper for AQMRC

In 2008/2009, Enda and Jim were part of a NERC funded project with the Centre for Research in Biomedicine at UWE, Bristol and Cranfield University. The 18 month project investigated bioaerosol and endotoxin emissions from commercial composting facilities in particular how much endotoxin is released from composting facilities, how far it will travel and whether the concentrations found in air from compost facilities can harm the health of people living close to these facilities. The groups 5th paper out of this short yet highly productive research has just been accepted for publication.

L. J. Pankhurst, L. J. Deacon, J. Liu, G. H. Drew, E. T. Hayes, S. Jackson, P. J. Longhurst, J. W. S. Longhurst, S. J. T. Pollard & S. F. Tyrrel (2009) Microbial and endotoxin emission from composting facilities: characterisation of release and dispersal patterns. In Brebbia, C.A. (Editor) Air Pollution XVII. WIT Press. Southampton and Boston.

Deacon L., Pankhurst, L., Liu, J., Drew, G. H., Hayes, E.T., Jackson, S., Longhurst, J., Longhurst, P., Pollard, S. & Tyrrel , S. (2009) Endotoxin emissions from commercial composting activities. Environmental Health 8:S9

Deacon, L.J., Pankhurst, L.J., Liu, J., Drew, G.H., Hayes, E.T., Jackson, S.K., Longhurst, J.W.S., Longhurst, P. J., Pollard, S.J.T, and Tyrrel, S.F. (2009) Particle size distribution of airborne Aspergillus fumigatus spores emitted from compost using membrane-filtration. Atmospheric Environment 43, 5698-5701

Liu, J. , Pankhurst, L.J. , Deacon, L.J. , Abate, W. , Hayes, E.T. , Drew, G.H. , Longhurst, P.J. , Pollard, S., Longhurst, J. , Tyrrel, S.F. , Jackson, S.K. (2011) Evaluation of inflammatory effects of airborne endotoxin emitted from composting sources. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 30, 3, 602-606

Pankhurst, L. J., Deacon, L. J., Liu, J, Drew, G. H., Hayes, E. T., Jackson, S., Longhurst, P. J., Longhurst, J. W. S., Pollard, S. J. T and Tyrrel, S. F. (In Press) Spatial Variations in Airborne Microorganism and Endotoxin Concentrations at Green Waste Composting Facilities. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.

AQMRC deliver a Framework for Sustainability for the Dube Aerotropolis, South Africa

Following a successful workshop in the beautiful city of Durban, which was attended by Dr Enda Hayes, Rose Bailey, Tom Chambers, Dr Chad Staddon and Dr Mark Everard, a comprehensive Framework for Sustainability for the Dube Aerotropolis in Durban, South Africa was delivered to the clients, Dube TradePort and Tongaat Hulett Developments. This exciting multi-disciplinary project brought together many Faculty of Environment and Technology colleagues who advised on the sustainable development of the land use and infrastructure in the vicinity of the King Shaka International Airport, Durban, while supporting the client’s vision of working towards carbon and water neutrality for the area. The Dube Aerotropolis covers a radius of approximately 15 km around the recently opened King Shaka International Airport north of the city of Durban. This project expands upon AQMRC experience in air and carbon management in Africa, including the Low Carbon Consensus Panel study for the Academy of Science of South Africa and the National Framework for Air Quality for the South African Government.