Mycotoxins presence in woodworking environments from Portugal

This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.Woodworkers may be exposed to a variety of chemicals and natural toxins that might be harmful to their health, including wood preservation products as well as metabolites produced by the microorganisms that grow on wood, such as mycotoxins. This study intends to characterize the mycotoxin's presence in two woodworking environments in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Wood shavings: from an occupational hazard in poultry facilities to a global health concern

Authors gratefully acknowledge the FCT/MCTES national support through the UIDB/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD, UI/BD/153746/2022, CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020, UI/BD/151431/2021, and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M, IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL, IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL, and IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.Poultry production has been found to constitute a serious threat to global health due to microbial contamination. Chicken bedding material may be an underestimated source of pathogens. Currently, there is a lack of information concerning the impact of the bedding material used on fungal development. We aimed to characterize fungal exposure in poultry facilities during birds growth cycle.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing fungal burden and its implications for health in an elderly care centre: a comprehensive study

Author gratefully acknowledges the FCT/MCTES national support through the UIDB/05608/2020, and UIDP/05608/2020 This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022, and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020, UI/BD/151431/2021, and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/12M, IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL, IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL, and IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.Introduction: Protection thresholds and reference conditions for indoor air pollution, in commercial and service buildings and assessment methodology, leaving Elderly Healthcare facilities neglected for such parameters. The study aims to assess the fungal burden in an elderly care center and its health implications. Target groups: workers, and elderly residents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Coffee production: an occupational setting where exposure to mycotoxins need to be recognized and prevented

This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.Coffee production involves different processes until being available as a beverage involving several workers worldwide. Mycotoxin exposure may occur in this occupational setting since coffee beans are frequently contaminated with these fungal secondary metabolites due the crop infection by toxigenic fungi that commonly infect the plant during the various production stages. A study was developed in two milling industries located in Brazil aiming to evaluate workplace contamination with mycotoxins.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A multi-approach sampling strategy to assess exposure to microbiologic agents in poultries

This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.A reasonable number of studies focusing on microbiological contamination associated with the poultry industry evidence various health concerns. In occupational studies focusing on microbiological contamination in poultry farms, air sampling is typically the only sampling method used. To better understand the relationship between factors influencing microbial contamination and adverse health effects, data regarding the amount, composition, and risk category of the common microorganisms are needed. This study intends to apply a multi-approach sampling protocol and corroborate the importance of its application for a wider microbial characterization.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing occupational exposure to fungi in woodworking environments: the definition of the most suitable sampling method based on a score index

This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.Woodworkers may come into contact with various natural and artificial toxins that might harm their health. To assess that exposure, the sampling strategy is crucial to accurately determine the possible health consequences for workers and gather data on microbial viability. It has been suggested that using scoring rubrics in performance assessments has several benefits, such as enhanced scoring uniformity, allowing correct evaluation of difficult abilities, and learning promotion. This evaluation aims to generate a score that will offer current data to determine the best sampling technique for occupational exposure to fungal contamination.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fungal and mycotoxins contamination in non-alcoholic beverages: the case of tea from Portuguese market and coffee beans from Brazil

This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSLAgriculture constitutes one of the most sensitive sectors that could be affected by climate change. Among the xenobiotics contaminating agricultural crops, fungi and mycotoxins are the most challenging since their presence represents an economic burden due to crop loss and serious health effects related to animals and humans with severe repercussions. This study intends to characterize the fungal and mycotoxin contamination in tea available in the Portuguese market and in coffee from two Brazilian industries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Preliminary results concerning school staff personal exposure to microbial load: worry to be considered?

This study is a spin-off of a European research project “Identifying determinants for indoor air quality and their health impact in environments for children: measures to improve indoor air quality and reduce disease burdens”.H&TRC authors gratefully acknowledge FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL. This project was partly funded by EU Horizon 2021 grant no. 101056883 and co-funding from the author’s organizations and/or ministries. Funding from Swiss SERI grant 22.00324, UKRI grant 10040524, and NHMRC grant APP2017786 and APP2008813.Why is it important to assess indoor air quality in schools? Is Portugal addressing educators’ health risks? Do the current guidelines cover school workers too? This study aims to provide a first insight into the personal exposure of teachers and school staff to bacteria and fungi in primary schools in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Budget-friendly protocol for TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation detection in Aspergillus section Fumigati isolates

This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.Aspergillus section Fumigati is one of the most common sections, in the environment. It has been found in different occupational environments, such as sawmills and waste sorting. Its cryptic species show intrinsic resistance to several antifungals. Resistance in A. fumigatus is emerging due to selective pressure caused by the prolonged use of azoles. It is often associated with mutations in the Cyp51A gene. The fungal priority pathogens list (WHO), includes A. fumigatus with critical priority. Further analysis to identify potential resistance mechanisms and mutations is needed. Objective: This evaluation aims to offer a protocol for mutation detection in Aspergillus section Fumigati isolates. It will contribute to the development of guidance that can support future occupational exposure assessments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sampling protocol to assess occupational exposure to microbial contamination in wood working environments

This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.The sawmill market is driven by rising construction demand and it is foreseen an increase due to the need to overcome the lack of housing throughout Europe. Workers in the sawmill industry may be exposed to wood derivatives, microorganisms, and their products. Wood products can cause health effects such as decreased lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and various respiratory disorders. Exposure to wood dust infected with microorganisms, particularly fungi, can lead to allergic alveolitis and asthma in woodworkers. There is a knowledge gap in the field of microbial occupational exposure assessment in sawmills. The importance of an accurate assessment and risk management should be emphasized. This study aims to define a protocol that allows a proper assessment of microbial contamination in woodworking environments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio