Browsing by Author "Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma"

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A review on health impacts, monitoring and mitigation strategies of arsenic compounds present in air
(Elsevier Ltd, 2021) Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma; Sonam Tiwari; Devendra Mohan; R.S. Singh
Arsenic, even in trace concentration presents several adverse impacts on human health and are classified among carcinogenic species. The subsequent health concerns owing to consumption of arsenic contaminated water has been widely reported, however, the presence and effects of arsenic through air still remains to be explored thoroughly, due to the availability of limited research and literature; the reason being difficulty in estimation of arsenic compounds in gaseous or particulate associated form. The objective of the current review is to present a detailed picture of sources, estimation techniques and control strategies available currently and propose futuristic approaches for abatement of the problem. A summary of the studies conducted globally has been included in the review with an objective to figure out the occurrence and exposure to arsenic in different parts of the world, exposure assessment and control strategies followed to overcome the problem. Studies on dispersion of As in gaseous or particulate form has also been discussed, on the basis of ground observation as well as predicted models. © 2021 The Authors
Antimicrobial Resistance: Introduction and Challenges
(Springer, 2024) Arunima Singh; Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma; Mayank; Neelmani Bhardwaj; R.S. Singh
The infection-causing microorganisms are a severe issue for the health of humans, plants, and animals. To overcome this issue, various drugs, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic, are used to inhibit or kill these infection-causing microorganisms. These pharmaceuticals are collectively called “antimicrobials.” But when microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites evolve over some time and become capable of flourishing even in the presence of medication which was once used to inhibit them, the phenomenon is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). And it occurs because an organism develops resistance to that medication, such as drugs, and it no longer affects it. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are significant contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. AMR in human pathogens has emerged as the greatest threat to public health in developing countries and worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated AMR as one of the top ten worldwide public health hazards to humanity. Also, it is one of the hurdles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Lack of clean water, poor sanitation, and inadequate infection prevention and control measures encourage AMR pathogens’ proliferation. The prolonged illness causes more frequent hospital visits, sometimes more expensive medications, and ultimately financial stress for individuals affected, in addition to mortality and disability. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.
Bioaerosol emissions from solid waste processing facilities at urban environment and their impact on human health
(Elsevier B.V., 2025) Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma; Neelmani Bhardwaj; Kirpa Ram; Mukunda Madhab Gogoi; Tirthankar Banerjee; Manoranjan Mohanty; R. S. Singh
Waste management is one of the challenging issues in developing countries because of indiscriminate urbanization, huge population growth coupled with insufficient technology to manage it. The processing of waste and producing manure are good techniques for solid waste management. This study shows that during waste processing such as loading and unloading, sorting, mixing and leachate treatment, several types of bioaerosols, both bacterial and fungal, are emitted to the atmosphere. Here, both fungal and bacterial bioaerosol concentration near a waste processing facility is reported with metagenomic analysis and health assessment. Average bacterial bioaerosol concentration was noted to be 2979 ± 544 CFU/m3, whereas the fungal bioaerosol concentration was 2288 ± 1128 CFU/m3 at the waste processing site. Size distribution shows that the concentration of bacterial bioaerosol was mostly in the finer range (0.65–1.1 μm) while the fungal concentration was highest in the coarse size (between 3.3 and 7.0 μm). The metagenomic analysis of the bacterial bioaerosol sample revealed dominance of Alcaligenaceae (22 %), Stenotrophomonas (19 %), Bacillus (14 %) whereas, Fusarium (40 %), Epicoccum (23 %), Hypocreales (15 %), Coprinopsis (8 %), Cladosporium (4 %), Sarocladium (4 %), Tourlaspora (2 %), Alternaria (2 %) and Cryptococcus (2 %) were dominant fungal species. The top two dominant genera of bacterial strain expressed resistance towards azithromycin and cefixime. In the cross-sectional health survey near the waste processing site, participants including both workers on the site and people nearby, reported symptoms of respiratory, skin and eye irritation and bad smell. This study will help to improve the waste treatment process safety protocols and the health of the population around. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Bioaerosol emissions from wastewater treatment process at urban environment and potential health impacts
(Academic Press, 2024) Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma; Mayank; Kirpa Ram; Mukunda M. Gogoi; Tirthankar Banerjee; R.S. Singh
The inlet of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contains pathogenic microorganisms which during aeration and by mechanical mixing through wind typically aerosolized microbes into ambient air. Bioaerosol emission and its characterization (bacterial and fungal) was investigated considering low-flow and high-flow inlet of wastewater treatment plant. Generation of bioaerosols was found influenced by prevailing seasons while both during summer and winter, fungal concentration (winter: 1406 ± 517; summer: 1743 ± 271 CFU/m3) was higher compared to bacterial concentration (winter: 1077 ± 460; summer: 1415 ± 588 CFU/m3). Bioaerosols produced from WWTPs were predominately in the size range of 2.1–4.7 μm while fraction of fungal bioaerosols were also in ultra-fine range (0.65 μm). Bioaerosols reaching to the air from WWTPs varied seasonally and was calculated by aerosolization ratio. During summer, aerosolization of the bioaerosols was nearly 6 times higher than winter. To constitute potential health effects from the exposure to these bioaerosols, biological characterization, antibiotics resistance and the health survey of the nearby area were also performed. The biological characterization of the bioaerosols samples were done through metagenomic approach using 16s and ITS metagenomic sequencing. Presence of 167 genus of bacteria and 41 genus of fungi has been found. Out of this, bacillus (73%), curtobacterium (21%), pseudomonas, Exiguo bacterium, Acinetobacter bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Prevotella were the dominant genus (top 10) of bacteria. In case of fungi, xylariales (49%), Hypocreales (19%), Coperinopsis (9%), Alternaria (8%), Fusarium (6%), Biopolaris, Epicoccum, Pleosporaceae, Cladosporium and Nectriaceae were dominant. Antibiotics like, Azithromycin and cefixime were tested on the most dominant bacillus showed resistance on higher concentration of cefixime and lower concentration of azithromycin. Population-based health survey in WWTP nearby areas (50–150 m periphery) found several types of diseases/symptoms including respiratory problem, skin rash/irritation, change in smell and taste, eye irritation within the resident population and workers. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
Size-segregated bioaerosols concentration and characterization under diverse microenvironments
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2024) Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma; Kirpa Ram; Mukunda M. Gogoi; Tirthankar Banerjee; R.S. Singh
Scientific research on the concentration and size distribution of bioaerosols in diverse environmental conditions is recently being prioritized. Exposure to bioaerosols, especially through inhalation, is linked to many severe health complications. The inhalation of the bioaerosols is directly linked with the size as well as the nature of the bioaerosols. However, information related to the prevalence of bioaerosols is limited in India, constituting the basis for investigating variations in bacterial and fungal bioaerosol concentrations at various indoor sites. Several observational campaigns were initiated within diverse indoor sites, including cowshed, poultry, canteen, library, auditorium, laboratory, and hospital, using a six-stage viable impactor. Bacterial bioaerosols were more prevalent for size > 7.0 μm and between 1.1 and 2.1 μm. In contrast, fungal concentration peaked in the size range of 1.1 to 3.3 μm. At all the sites, the concentration of bacterial bioaerosols exceeded fungal bioaerosols (2 to 12 times), while such variation was exceptionally high in the poultry firm (70 times higher). No significant correlation was noted between bacterial and fungal bioaerosol concentration and environmental factors. The diversity of bacteria and fungi bioaerosols was found to be different as it varied from site to site. However, species like Acinetobacter and Bacillus sp. in bacteria and Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium in fungi were most prevalent. Some of the bioaerosols found in these sites are pathogenic in nature and may cause severe health issues (if found in significant amount). The predominance of bioaerosols is mostly within the breathable range (< 3.3 μm) in diverse microenvironments. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.
Size-segregated bioaerosols concentration and characterization under diverse microenvironments
(Springer Science and Business Media B.V., 2025) Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma; Kirpa Ram; Mukunda Madhab Gogoi; Tirthankar Banerjee; R. S. Singh
Scientific research on the concentration and size distribution of bioaerosols in diverse environmental conditions is recently being prioritized. Exposure to bioaerosols, especially through inhalation, is linked to many severe health complications. The inhalation of the bioaerosols is directly linked with the size as well as the nature of the bioaerosols. However, information related to the prevalence of bioaerosols is limited in India, constituting the basis for investigating variations in bacterial and fungal bioaerosol concentrations at various indoor sites. Several observational campaigns were initiated within diverse indoor sites, including cowshed, poultry, canteen, library, auditorium, laboratory, and hospital, using a six-stage viable impactor. Bacterial bioaerosols were more prevalent for size > 7.0 μm and between 1.1 and 2.1 μm. In contrast, fungal concentration peaked in the size range of 1.1 to 3.3 μm. At all the sites, the concentration of bacterial bioaerosols exceeded fungal bioaerosols (2 to 12 times), while such variation was exceptionally high in the poultry firm (70 times higher). No significant correlation was noted between bacterial and fungal bioaerosol concentration and environmental factors. The diversity of bacteria and fungi bioaerosols was found to be different as it varied from site to site. However, species like Acinetobacter and Bacillus sp. in bacteria and Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium in fungi were most prevalent. Some of the bioaerosols found in these sites are pathogenic in nature and may cause severe health issues (if found in significant amount). The predominance of bioaerosols is mostly within the breathable range (< 3.3 μm) in diverse microenvironments. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.
Size-segregated characteristics of bioaerosols during foggy and non-foggy days of winter, meteorological implications, and health risk assessment
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024) Yogesh Kumar Vishwakarma; Kirpa Ram; Mukunda Madhab Gogoi; Tirthankar Banerjee; Ram Sharan Singh
Fog is a common atmospheric event in northern India. Frequently, dense and prolonged fog envelops the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), especially in the winter season. During winter, conducive atmospheric conditions also facilitate the accumulation of airborne particulates near the earth surface, significantly reducing atmospheric visibility in the presence of water vapour and gases. Besides, fog formation can also change the characteristics of the biological component of the air (bioaerosols). The Anderson six-stage bioaerosol cascade impactor was therefore used to collect bioaerosols during winter-specific foggy and non-foggy days to assess how fog formation affects the loading and characteristic of bioaerosols. It has been found that the concentration of bioaerosols increases during foggy days (2223 ± 553 CFU m−3) compared to non-foggy days (days including both before and after fog; 1478 ± 490 CFU m−3). Nearly, a 50% rise in the total culturable microbe concentration was noted during foggy days as compared to non-foggy days in an urban habitat over the central IGP. Approximately 46% and 55% increase in bacterial and fungal bioaerosol concentration, respectively, was found to be associated with foggy days. The size of bioaerosols also varied with the change in atmospheric conditions. During foggy days, bacterial and fungal concentration increased in the coarse size fraction (4.7-7.0 μm) compared to fine (0.65-7.0 μm) particles. The presence of bacteria such as Bacillus; Enterobacter; Cocci and fungi such as Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium were found during foggy days. The measured concentration of bioaerosols did not exhibit strong association with meteorological variables and other atmospheric co-pollutants. Health risk assessment of the exposure to bioaerosols revealed strong possibility to cause adverse human health effects in the exposed population. © 2024 RSC.