Abstract
The ‘Wieliczka’ Salt Mine with specific stable, microclimatic conditions is a unique place, where pulmonary and allergy-related diseases are treated. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of biological particles in the air of the ‘Wieliczka’ Salt Mine in relation to the location and time. Twenty measurements were taken quarterly in 2012–2016, in four salt chambers. The volumetric and impact methods were used to measure microbiological contamination, while the mite and cat allergens were measured using FEIA assay. The statistically significant differences among the study sites and time of measurements, treated as the following seasons, for spores and bacteria were found. Pollen grains were observed in the underground chambers rarely and in significantly lower quantities than outdoors. No statistically significant differences between the content of Der p1 and Fel d1 allergens among the study locations, seasons and patient presence/absence were found. The qualitative content of micro-organisms in the air of salt chambers seems to be related to the biological material carrying in by patients and staff.
Highlights
Micro-organisms that exist indoors are a mixture of ambient particles that have been infiltrated or carried from outdoors and those originating from known or unidentified indoor sources
Outdoor bioaerosols refer most often to fungal spores and bacteria aerosols, but indoor particles can be released from other sources, like house dust mites, insects, cockroaches, pets, as well as skin cells from humans and pets (Morawska et al 2013)
The highest ranges of bioaerosol concentration were found in the case of bacteria
Summary
Micro-organisms that exist indoors are a mixture of ambient particles that have been infiltrated or carried from outdoors and those originating from known or unidentified indoor sources. Outdoor bioaerosols refer most often to fungal spores and bacteria aerosols, but indoor particles can be released from other sources, like house dust mites, insects, cockroaches, pets, as well as skin cells from humans and pets (Morawska et al 2013). There are many places, where more or less evident microbiological aerosol is observed. To the most infected places belong: laboratories, air-conditioned rooms, work-specific places with high humidity, crowded, dusty places (metro, drug stories, offices, bakeries), green houses, farms, vineyards (Błaszczyk 2010). E.g. medical facilities, like theatres, blood stations, clinical pharmacies, because of nosocomial infections, microbiological purity is required
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