Riesgo biológico asociado al tratamiento de aguas residuales: caso de estudio usando la metodología BIOGAVAL

Abstract

(1) Background: In wastewater are present many microorganisms that are pathogenic and dangerous to health, among some of those identified are viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and helminths, in the process of wastewater treatment, workers of these plants, could be exposed to these pathogens and serious health problems. (2) The objective of this study is to define the biological agents, determine the level of biological risk by quantifying the variables proposed by the method and analyze the BIOGAVAL methodology, the feasibility and advantages of its application. (3) Methods: The BIOGAVAL methodology is used, which has been created for activities in which biological agents are not deliberately handled, as is the case of Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP), this methodology uses variables such as: determination of the jobs to be evaluated, identification of the biological agent involved, quantification of the variables determining the risk, classification of the damage, transmission route, incidence rate of the previous year, vaccination, frequency of performing risk tasks, hygienic measures adopted, calculation of the biological risk level, interpretation of the biological risk levels. (4) Conclusions: It is shown that hazardous microbiological agents originate from discharges discharged from nearby establishments and activities, for the application the following microorganisms are defined: Escherichia Coli, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp and Áscaris Lumbricoides. The risk level is determined as Acceptable. The BIOGAVAL methodology is proposed as a practical, useful and low-cost alternative, it is considered feasible for application in activities without deliberate intention of handling biological agents as opposed to quantitative bacteriological sampling methods in air or surfaces, as well as in the detection of bioaerosols.