Size distribution of microbial aerosols in overground and subterranean treatment chambers at health resorts.

PURPOSE: to perform comparative analyzes of the size distributions of bacteria and fungi in the air of overground therapy chambers in Szczawnica sanatorium and subterranean inhalation chambers in Bochnia Salt Mine health resort taking into account influence of the season and presence of pathogenic species. METHODS: bioaerosol samples were collected using 6-stage Andersen impactor. Bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations and size distributions were calculated and isolated microorganisms were taxonomically identified based on their morphological, biochemical, and molecular features. Results: in both treatment rooms and atmospheric (outdoor) air, the acceptable microbial pollution levels were periodically exceeded. The size distribution analyzes revealed that in the case of bacteria - emission from the patients and in the case of fungi - transport with atmospheric (outdoor) air were the major processes responsible for microbiological contamination of indoor premises. The majority of microbial particulates were present in the air of studied premises as single bacterial vegetative cells, spores and fungal conidia or (most commonly) formed small microbial or microbial-dust aggregates. This phenomenon may have a significant effect on patients' actual exposure (especially on those treated for respiratory diseases) in terms of the dose of inhaled particles. CONCLUSIONS: the microbiological quality of the air in sanatoriums and health resorts is a key factor for their therapeutic and prophylactic functions. When microbial pollution crossed the acceptable level, the measures that enable reducing undesirable contamination should be introduced, especially if large groups of patients undergo such therapy.

Assessment of microbiological and chemical properties in a municipal landfill area.

This study aimed at determining the environmental hazards for soils posed by a large municipal landfilll. The concentrations of heavy metals and Policyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, as well as microbial composition (i.e., mesophilic bacteria, actinomycetes, molds, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Clostridium perfringens) in four soils within and in the vicinity of the landfill were evaluated and compared to waste samples. Both chemical and microbiological analyses revealed only limited contamination of surrounding areas. Although the increased alkalinity of soils was detected, the concentrations of heavy metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) did not exceed the admissible values. All examined microbial groups were abundant in soil and waste. The highest microbial cell numbers were observed in warm summer and spring months. Although the site south of the landfill shows no trace of microbial contamination, pathogenic bacteria were found north of the landfill. This may suggest that there are other, more effective, transmission routes of bacteria than groundwater flow.

Bioaerosols of subterraneotherapy chambers at salt mine health resort.

Nowadays, an inhalation of naturally generated aerosols has again become a widely practiced method of balneological treatment of various respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the microbial aerosol of subterraneotherapy chambers at the Bochnia Salt Mine Health Resort in southern Poland. The measurements were carried out using a 6-stage Andersen impactor over a period of 1 year in both indoor (i.e., two subterranean chambers, where curative treatments took place) and outdoor air. The maximum bacterial aerosol concentrations in the chambers reached 11,688 cfu/m3. In such interiors, a high-performance method of microbial contaminant reduction need be introduced, especially when large groups of young patients are medically cured. Respecting fungal aerosol, its average indoor concentration (88 cfu/m3) was significantly lower than outdoor level (538 cfu/m3). It confirms that ventilation system provides efficient barrier against this type of biologically active propagules. Among identified micro-organisms, the most prevalent indoors were Gram-positive cocci, which constituted up to 80 % of airborne microflora. As highly adapted to the diverse environments of its human host (skin, respiratory tract), they can be easily released in high quantities into the air. The number of people introduced into such subterranean chambers should be in some way limited. The analysis of microclimate parameters revealed that temperature and relative humidity influenced significantly the level of bacterial aerosol only. Hence, a constant control of these parameters should be scrupulously superintended at this type of subterranean premises.

Assessment of relationship between fungal aerosol within a municipal dump and epiphytic mycoflora of crop plants.

A field study was performed to assess whether fungal aerosol of a municipal dump may impact on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of epiphytic mycoflora of crop plants cultivated in vicinity of the dump. Sampling sites were located at every side of the dump. Plant samples were collected from field bean, spring wheat and potato. The highest concentration of fungal aerosol was found at the field located south of the dump within the zone of 250 m next to its borders. For this zone, the most numerous and diverse mycoflora was ascertained, and the plants cultivated were the most damaged. The results suggest that the municipal dump was not the source of phytopathogenic fungi; however, different emissions of contaminants from the dump might cause a decline in the intrinsic plant resistance against the pathogens.