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Mapping of scientific productions (1997-2021) on bioaerosols associated with wastewater treatment plants

ABSTRACT

Operational processes in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) result in the emission of bioaerosols that may contain a wide variety of microorganisms with high pathogenic potential. The contact and/or constant inhalation of these bioaerosols represent real threats to the surrounding population and the workers of these WWTPs. This study presents the first scientometric mapping of the Scopus database (Elsevier) on scientific production on bioaerosol emissions from ETEs from 1997 to 2021. Bibliographic data for the study were extracted from the Scopus database and, by applying the software VOSviewer, different indicators of bibliometric networks were mapped. The results pointed to the journals Science of the Total Environment, Water Research and Journal of Hazardous Materials as having the greatest impact on this database, as well as the largest number of research publications on the subject in the areas of environmental sciences and medicine. Among the works found, only one was Brazilian. Collaborative networks between China and Poland had the highest number of scientific publications. The most cited authors were Lin Li, Junxin Liu e Ewa Korzeniewska. Among the publications found, studies regarding the risks of occupational exposure and the monitoring of bioaerosols emitted in WWTPs as a possible source of genes with microbial resistance are the trending research topics. The results provide a state-of-the-art overview of bioaerosols research in WWTPs and a reference for other researchers interested in this relevant issue within the field of public and environmental health.

Keywords:
aerobiology; environmental sciences; scientometrics; air pollution; health risk

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