Bioaerosol emission characteristics and potential risks during composting: focus on pathogens and antimicrobial resistance

The study examines bioaerosol emission characteristics and potential risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during composting. Results show that highly saturated water vapor mitigates particulate matter emission, suppresses aerobic bacterial emissions, and maintains a stable microbial community. PM2.5 in bioaerosols contains antibiotic resistance genes and potential pathogens, with Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus being the only culturable potentially multidrug resistant pathogens.