Józef Pastuszka | Silesian University of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Józef Pastuszka

Environment Protection Engineering

A new bioaerosol sampler developed for extremely low concentration levels of airborne bacteria an... more A new bioaerosol sampler developed for extremely low concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi has been described. The results of the pilot study of the prototype of this new sampler are also presented in this paper. During the field studies the concentration levels of bacterial and fungal aerosols were obtained using simultaneously the new sampler and the reference cascade Andersen 6-stage impactor, as well as the Air Ideal sampler. Although only a preliminary study has been carried out, the obtained data indicated that the assumed designing parameters for the new sampler are suitable and guarantee high collection efficiency of this instrument.

Buildings

(1) Background: On the Internet, we can find the guidelines for homemade air purifiers. One of th... more (1) Background: On the Internet, we can find the guidelines for homemade air purifiers. One of the solutions includes the use of a low-cost ozone generator to decrease the level of odors and biological contaminants. However, the authors do not notify about hazardous effects of ozone generation on human health; (2) Methods: We elaborated our test results on the bacterial and fungal aerosol reduction by the use of two technical solutions of homemade air purifiers. First, including a mesh filter and ozone generator, second including an ozone generator, mesh filter, and carbon filter. (3) Conclusions: After 20 min of ozone generation, the concentration of bacteria decreased by 78% and 48% without and with a carbon filter, while fungi concentration was reduced in the lower range 63% and 40%, respectively. Based on our test results, we proposed a precise periodical operation of homemade air purifier to maintain the permissible level of ozone for the occupants.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

(1) Background: Since exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi may be especially hazardous in hosp... more (1) Background: Since exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi may be especially hazardous in hospitals and outpatient clinics, it is essential to sterilize the air in such rooms. The purpose of this study was to estimate the decrease in the concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi in the selected hospital and clinic rooms due to the work of the electron wind generator (EWG). (2) Methods: EWG is an air movement and air purification device using a sophisticated combination of electrode topology and specially designed high-voltage power supply. (3) Results: The concentration of both bacteria and fungi in the small patient's room dropped to approximately 25% of the initial (background) concentration. In the larger patient's room, the concentration dropped to 50% and 80% of the background concentration for bacteria and fungi, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The obtained data show that the studied sterilization process can be described by the exponential function of time. Moreover, the application of an activated carbon filter into EWG significantly decreases the concentration of ozone in the sterilized room. Sterilization by EWG significantly changes the characteristic of species and genera of airborne bacteria and shifts the main peak of the size distribution of airborne bacteria into the coarser bio-particles.

E3S Web of Conferences

The link between increased morbidity and mortality and increasing concentrations of particulate m... more The link between increased morbidity and mortality and increasing concentrations of particulate matter (PM) resulted in great attention being paid to the presence and physicochemical properties of PM in closed rooms, where people spends most of their time. The least recognized group of such indoor environments are small service facilities. The aim of this study was to identify factors which determine the concentration, chemical composition and sources of PM in the air of different service facilities: restaurant kitchen, printing office and beauty salon. The average PM concentration measured in the kitchen was 5-fold (PM4, particle fraction ≥ 4 μm) and 5.3-fold (TSP, total PM) greater than the average concentration of these PM fractions over the same period. During the same measurement period in the printing office and in the beauty salon, the mean PM concentration was 10- and 4-fold (PM4) and 8- and 3-fold (TSP) respectively greater than the mean concentration of these PM fractions ...

E3S Web of Conferences

The aim of this study was to determine the role of internal sources of emissions on the concentra... more The aim of this study was to determine the role of internal sources of emissions on the concentrations of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) and its sub-fraction, so-called respirable PM (PM4; fraction of particles with particle size ≤ 4 µm) and to estimate to which extent those emissions participate in the formation of PM-bound elemental (EC) and organic (OC) carbon in two facilities-one beauty salon and one printing office located in Bytom (Upper Silesia, Poland). The average concentration of PM in the printing office and beauty salon during the 10-day measurement period was 10 and 4 (PM4) and 8 and 3 (TSP) times greater than the average concentration of PM fractions recorded in the same period in the atmospheric air; it was on average: 204 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 319 µg/m 3 (TSP) and 93 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 136 µg/m 3 (TSP), respectively. OC concentrations determined in the printing office were 38 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 56 µg/m 3 (TSP), and those referring to EC: 1.8 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 3.5 µg/m 3 (TSP). In the beauty salon the average concentration of OC for PM4 and TSP were 58 and 75 µg/m 3 , respectively and in case of EC-3.1 and 4.7 µg/m 3 , respectively. The concentrations of OC and EC within the those facilities were approximately 1.7 (TSP-bound EC, beauty salon) to 4.7 (TSP-bound OC, printing office) times higher than the average atmospheric concentrations of those compounds measured in both PM fractions at the same time. In both facilities the main source of TSP-and PM4-bound OC in the indoor air were the chemicals-solvents, varnishes, paints, etc.

Environmental Chemistry Letters

Beauty salons make a considerable part of the service sector. However, although the beauty salon ... more Beauty salons make a considerable part of the service sector. However, although the beauty salon staffs are exposed to a vast number of ambient chemicals during the whole workday, the occupational health hazard and the indoor air quality in beauty salons are poorly known. Specifically, reports on relations between indoor particulate matter and its outdoor or indoor sources in beauty salons are rare. Here we studied the effects of external and internal sources of aerosol in beauty salons on indoor ambient particulate matter and on its elemental and organic carbon contents. We selected four beauty salons differing in the number and type of particulate matter indoor and outdoor sources. The approach consisted in taking ten eight-hour samples of total suspended particulate matter and ten samples of its respirable sub-fraction simultaneously indoors and outdoors at each site, then analyzing them for carbon content using a thermo-optical method. The ambient concentrations of particulate matter and organic carbon were higher indoors than outdoors. We show that differences between indoor and the outdoor concentrations is due to the indoor use of cosmetics and other human activity. The effects of indoor sources on indoor elemental carbon concentrations are lower than on organic carbon concentrations.

Aerobiologia

Numerous studies have focused on occupational and indoor environments because people spend more t... more Numerous studies have focused on occupational and indoor environments because people spend more than 90% of their time in them. Nevertheless, air is the main source of bacteria in indoors, and outdoor exposure is also crucial. Worldwide studies have indicated that bacterial concentrations vary among different types of outdoor environments, with considerable seasonal variations as well. Conducting comprehensive monitoring of atmospheric aerosol concentrations is very important not only for environmental management but also for the assessment of the health impacts of air pollution. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present outdoor and seasonal changes of bioaerosol data regarding an urban area of Poland. This study aimed to characterize culturable bacteria populations present in outdoor air in Gliwice, Upper Silesia Region, Poland, over the course of four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) through quantification and identification procedures. In this study, the samples of bioaerosol were collected using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor (with aerodynamic cutoff diameters of 7.0, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1 and 0.65 lm). Results showed that the concentration of airborne bacteria ranged from 4 CFU m-3 , measured on one winter day, to a maximum equal to 669 CFU m-3 on a spring day. The average size of culturable bacterial aerosol over the study period was 199 CFU m-3. The maximal seasonally averaged concentration was found in the spring season and reached 306 CFU m-3 , and the minimal seasonally averaged concentration was found in the winter 49 CFU m-3. The most prevalent bacteria found outdoors were gram-positive rods that form endospores. Statistically, the most important meteorological factors related to the viability of airborne bacteria were temperature and UV radiation. These results may contribute to the promotion and implementation of preventative public health programmes and the formulation of recommendations aimed at providing healthier outdoor environments.

Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health

Bioaerosols play a significant role in indoor air quality (IAQ) as they can be the cause of sever... more Bioaerosols play a significant role in indoor air quality (IAQ) as they can be the cause of several health problems, including acute allergies and infectious diseases. This study aimed to characterize and compare the microbial air quality of air-conditioned (AC) and naturally ventilated (NV) office rooms in the Upper Silesia region of Poland. The bacterial samples were collected during the late spring season. Culturable bacteria were deposited on the nutrient media on Petri dishes to investigate the viable-culturable count (VCC) of bacteria and bacterial community structure using a Biolog GEN III system. In total, 12 species of bacteria were identified, with the most isolated Macrococcus equipercicus, Micrococcus luteus D, Staphylococcus xylosus (indoor), and Bacillus species (outdoor). The indoor mean concentrations of bacterial aerosol ranged from 10 2 to 10 3 CFU m −3 , below Polish proposals for threshold limit standards in office buildings. The indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios indicated that studied air pollutants in the office rooms originated from the indoor air. These results, together with community composition of bacteria, indicate that most of the bacteria present in the studied office building were relatively fresh and of human origin. Multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) tests showed that the most antibiotic-resistant features were present in Macrococcus species. The office building exposure dose (OBED) and mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of bacteria aerosol were estimated. The highest value of OBED over the study period was obtained for staff working in offices with natural ventilation (141 CFU kg −1), in contrast to the value for staff working in offices equipped with air conditioning (about 100 CFU kg −1). The MMAD of viable airborne bacteria was higher in AC offices (2.4 μm) than in NV offices (2.2 μm).

Atmosphere

The issue of healthy educational buildings is a global concern because children are particularly ... more The issue of healthy educational buildings is a global concern because children are particularly at risk of lung damage and infection caused by poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This article presents the results of a preliminary study of the concentration and size distribution of bacterial aerosol in three educational buildings: a preschool, primary school, and high school. Sampling was undertaken in the classrooms with an Andersen six-stage impactor (with aerodynamic cutoff diameters of 7.0, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1 and 0.65 µm) during spring 2016 and 2017, as well as the outside of the buildings. After incubation, bioaerosol particles captured on nutrient media on Petri dishes were quantitatively evaluated and qualitatively identified. The highest average concentration of bacterial aerosol was inside the primary school building (2205 CFU/m 3), whereas the lowest average concentration of indoor culturable bacteria was observed in the high school building (391 CFU/m 3). Using the obtained data, the exposure dose (ED) of the bacterial aerosol was estimated for children attending each educational level. The most frequently occurring species in the sampled bacterial aerosol were Gram-positive cocci in the indoor environment and Gram-positive rod-forming endospores in the outdoor environment.

Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine

Bioaerosols are particularly sensitive to sterilization processes due to their biological charact... more Bioaerosols are particularly sensitive to sterilization processes due to their biological characteristics. Phenomena occurring in the atmosphere have major influence on airborne bacteria and fungi concentration levels. The presented study evaluates the sterilization properties of ambient air temperature and solar radiation on viable bioaerosols concentration levels in outdoor air in Gliwice, Poland. Assigned were the breakpoints indicating limited stimulation properties of the air temperature, which amounted 7.5 °C for bacterial aerosol and 16.5 °C for fungal aerosol. Also revealed was the influence of solar radiation properties on decreasing the bioaerosols concentration levels. Both bacterial and fungal viable aerosol were sensitive to this radiation, although the phenomenon was more effective for airborne bacteria.

Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2015

Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2015

In the work results of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and connected PAHs concentrations measurements in Bytom are... more In the work results of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and connected PAHs concentrations measurements in Bytom are presented. Dust samples were collected simultaneously in two points situated by heavy loaded roads and also in two adequate background measurement points. PAHs concentrations in dust were determined by use of GC method. Mean 24-hour (daily?) concentrations of PM 2.5 , having roots in communication sources, are 9.66 and 5.67 µg m-3. For PM 10 adequate numbers are 17.11 and 20.70 µg m -3 . Amount of 16 commonly investigated PAHs, as a sum of their 24-hour concentrations in dust are respectively 56.17 and 73.40 ng m-3 in PM 2.5 and also 75.08 and 91.00 ng m -3 in PM 10 . PAHs concentration in Bytom depends

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Land Reclamation, 2015

:As people spend most of the time in closed spaces (flats, workplaces, schools etc.), the indoor ... more :As people spend most of the time in closed spaces (flats, workplaces, schools etc.), the indoor air has been researched for many years all over the world. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most often examined pollutants in the indoor and outdoor air. The following study presents the facts about PM in closed spaces and the most often taken actions. The least known aspects related to the indoor air pollution with PM are demonstrated. The indoor space of various service and office buildings/facilities (not related to production, i.e. offices, shops, beauty parlours, restaurant kitchens, restaurants, pubs etc.) seem to be an unrecognized area in the air pollution studies. Importantly, a great number of people work in such spaces all over the world and thus spend there a large part of their lives.

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2013

Solid State Phenomena, 2012

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2004

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two municipal landfills on the microbi... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two municipal landfills on the microbiological air quality in offices on landfill sites. The evaluation was based on the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and the identification of isolated strains. Air samples were collected with a six-stage Andersen impactor. The concentrations of bacterial aerosol ranged from 1.0 x 10(3) to 7.2 x 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/m(3) indoors, and from 7.0 x 10 to 4.0 x 10(4) CFU/m(3) outdoors. The corresponding fungal aerosol ranges were from 2.3 x 10(2) to 7.3 x 10(3) CFU/m(3) indoors and from 2.0 x 10(2) to 1.2 x 10(4) CFU/m(3) outdoors. The concentration levels were affected by the season of the year. The study showed that both indoor and outdoor air were heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi. The proximity of the unpaved transport route and the weighing of refuse loads contributed to the increase of bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations significantly. The air in the offices was characterized not only by elevated concentrations of bacteria and fungi but also by high frequencies of gram-negative bacteria, along with fungal species characteristic of landfills. The quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the bacterial and fungal aerosol posed a possible health risk to office workers at municipal waste landfill sites.

Atmosphere, 2016

The goal of the study was to determine the concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM 1) ... more The goal of the study was to determine the concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM 1) and of the mercury contained in it (Hg p) in the air in two teaching rooms in two Polish cities, Gliwice and Warsaw. The levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) differ greatly between these two cities. The relations between the indoor (I) and outdoor (O) 24-h concentrations for each PM 1 and Hg p were determined and, based on the conclusions, an attempt was made to identify the main sources of the indoor Hg p in both cities. During the whole measuring period (April-June 2015), in both Warsaw and Gliwice, the 24-h outdoor PM 1 concentrations were slightly higher than the indoor ones (outdoor and indoor averages were equal to 19.3 µg m −3 and 14.5 µg•m −3 , respectively, in Gliwice and to 13.2 µg•m −3 and 9.5 µg•m −3 in Warsaw). In Gliwice, the indoor concentrations of Hg p (2.4 pg•m −3 to 27.7 pg•m −3) were much higher than the outdoor ones (1.1 pg•m −3 to 6.1 pg•m −3); in Warsaw the average concentrations of Hg p were equal to 1.4 pg m −3 indoors and outdoors. The 24-h concentrations of Hg p and the 24-h I/O ratios for Hg p varied more intensely in Gliwice than in Warsaw throughout the whole measuring period. In Warsaw, the teaching room Hg p came mainly from the infiltration of atmospheric (outdoor) Hg p. In Gliwice, a part of the indoor Hg p infiltrated into the teaching room with the outdoor PM 1 that most probably was then enriched with gaseous indoor Hg, what resulted in the relatively high indoor Hg p concentrations.

Environment Protection Engineering

A new bioaerosol sampler developed for extremely low concentration levels of airborne bacteria an... more A new bioaerosol sampler developed for extremely low concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi has been described. The results of the pilot study of the prototype of this new sampler are also presented in this paper. During the field studies the concentration levels of bacterial and fungal aerosols were obtained using simultaneously the new sampler and the reference cascade Andersen 6-stage impactor, as well as the Air Ideal sampler. Although only a preliminary study has been carried out, the obtained data indicated that the assumed designing parameters for the new sampler are suitable and guarantee high collection efficiency of this instrument.

Buildings

(1) Background: On the Internet, we can find the guidelines for homemade air purifiers. One of th... more (1) Background: On the Internet, we can find the guidelines for homemade air purifiers. One of the solutions includes the use of a low-cost ozone generator to decrease the level of odors and biological contaminants. However, the authors do not notify about hazardous effects of ozone generation on human health; (2) Methods: We elaborated our test results on the bacterial and fungal aerosol reduction by the use of two technical solutions of homemade air purifiers. First, including a mesh filter and ozone generator, second including an ozone generator, mesh filter, and carbon filter. (3) Conclusions: After 20 min of ozone generation, the concentration of bacteria decreased by 78% and 48% without and with a carbon filter, while fungi concentration was reduced in the lower range 63% and 40%, respectively. Based on our test results, we proposed a precise periodical operation of homemade air purifier to maintain the permissible level of ozone for the occupants.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

(1) Background: Since exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi may be especially hazardous in hosp... more (1) Background: Since exposure to airborne bacteria and fungi may be especially hazardous in hospitals and outpatient clinics, it is essential to sterilize the air in such rooms. The purpose of this study was to estimate the decrease in the concentration of airborne bacteria and fungi in the selected hospital and clinic rooms due to the work of the electron wind generator (EWG). (2) Methods: EWG is an air movement and air purification device using a sophisticated combination of electrode topology and specially designed high-voltage power supply. (3) Results: The concentration of both bacteria and fungi in the small patient's room dropped to approximately 25% of the initial (background) concentration. In the larger patient's room, the concentration dropped to 50% and 80% of the background concentration for bacteria and fungi, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The obtained data show that the studied sterilization process can be described by the exponential function of time. Moreover, the application of an activated carbon filter into EWG significantly decreases the concentration of ozone in the sterilized room. Sterilization by EWG significantly changes the characteristic of species and genera of airborne bacteria and shifts the main peak of the size distribution of airborne bacteria into the coarser bio-particles.

E3S Web of Conferences

The link between increased morbidity and mortality and increasing concentrations of particulate m... more The link between increased morbidity and mortality and increasing concentrations of particulate matter (PM) resulted in great attention being paid to the presence and physicochemical properties of PM in closed rooms, where people spends most of their time. The least recognized group of such indoor environments are small service facilities. The aim of this study was to identify factors which determine the concentration, chemical composition and sources of PM in the air of different service facilities: restaurant kitchen, printing office and beauty salon. The average PM concentration measured in the kitchen was 5-fold (PM4, particle fraction ≥ 4 μm) and 5.3-fold (TSP, total PM) greater than the average concentration of these PM fractions over the same period. During the same measurement period in the printing office and in the beauty salon, the mean PM concentration was 10- and 4-fold (PM4) and 8- and 3-fold (TSP) respectively greater than the mean concentration of these PM fractions ...

E3S Web of Conferences

The aim of this study was to determine the role of internal sources of emissions on the concentra... more The aim of this study was to determine the role of internal sources of emissions on the concentrations of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) and its sub-fraction, so-called respirable PM (PM4; fraction of particles with particle size ≤ 4 µm) and to estimate to which extent those emissions participate in the formation of PM-bound elemental (EC) and organic (OC) carbon in two facilities-one beauty salon and one printing office located in Bytom (Upper Silesia, Poland). The average concentration of PM in the printing office and beauty salon during the 10-day measurement period was 10 and 4 (PM4) and 8 and 3 (TSP) times greater than the average concentration of PM fractions recorded in the same period in the atmospheric air; it was on average: 204 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 319 µg/m 3 (TSP) and 93 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 136 µg/m 3 (TSP), respectively. OC concentrations determined in the printing office were 38 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 56 µg/m 3 (TSP), and those referring to EC: 1.8 µg/m 3 (PM4) and 3.5 µg/m 3 (TSP). In the beauty salon the average concentration of OC for PM4 and TSP were 58 and 75 µg/m 3 , respectively and in case of EC-3.1 and 4.7 µg/m 3 , respectively. The concentrations of OC and EC within the those facilities were approximately 1.7 (TSP-bound EC, beauty salon) to 4.7 (TSP-bound OC, printing office) times higher than the average atmospheric concentrations of those compounds measured in both PM fractions at the same time. In both facilities the main source of TSP-and PM4-bound OC in the indoor air were the chemicals-solvents, varnishes, paints, etc.

Environmental Chemistry Letters

Beauty salons make a considerable part of the service sector. However, although the beauty salon ... more Beauty salons make a considerable part of the service sector. However, although the beauty salon staffs are exposed to a vast number of ambient chemicals during the whole workday, the occupational health hazard and the indoor air quality in beauty salons are poorly known. Specifically, reports on relations between indoor particulate matter and its outdoor or indoor sources in beauty salons are rare. Here we studied the effects of external and internal sources of aerosol in beauty salons on indoor ambient particulate matter and on its elemental and organic carbon contents. We selected four beauty salons differing in the number and type of particulate matter indoor and outdoor sources. The approach consisted in taking ten eight-hour samples of total suspended particulate matter and ten samples of its respirable sub-fraction simultaneously indoors and outdoors at each site, then analyzing them for carbon content using a thermo-optical method. The ambient concentrations of particulate matter and organic carbon were higher indoors than outdoors. We show that differences between indoor and the outdoor concentrations is due to the indoor use of cosmetics and other human activity. The effects of indoor sources on indoor elemental carbon concentrations are lower than on organic carbon concentrations.

Aerobiologia

Numerous studies have focused on occupational and indoor environments because people spend more t... more Numerous studies have focused on occupational and indoor environments because people spend more than 90% of their time in them. Nevertheless, air is the main source of bacteria in indoors, and outdoor exposure is also crucial. Worldwide studies have indicated that bacterial concentrations vary among different types of outdoor environments, with considerable seasonal variations as well. Conducting comprehensive monitoring of atmospheric aerosol concentrations is very important not only for environmental management but also for the assessment of the health impacts of air pollution. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present outdoor and seasonal changes of bioaerosol data regarding an urban area of Poland. This study aimed to characterize culturable bacteria populations present in outdoor air in Gliwice, Upper Silesia Region, Poland, over the course of four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) through quantification and identification procedures. In this study, the samples of bioaerosol were collected using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor (with aerodynamic cutoff diameters of 7.0, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1 and 0.65 lm). Results showed that the concentration of airborne bacteria ranged from 4 CFU m-3 , measured on one winter day, to a maximum equal to 669 CFU m-3 on a spring day. The average size of culturable bacterial aerosol over the study period was 199 CFU m-3. The maximal seasonally averaged concentration was found in the spring season and reached 306 CFU m-3 , and the minimal seasonally averaged concentration was found in the winter 49 CFU m-3. The most prevalent bacteria found outdoors were gram-positive rods that form endospores. Statistically, the most important meteorological factors related to the viability of airborne bacteria were temperature and UV radiation. These results may contribute to the promotion and implementation of preventative public health programmes and the formulation of recommendations aimed at providing healthier outdoor environments.

Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health

Bioaerosols play a significant role in indoor air quality (IAQ) as they can be the cause of sever... more Bioaerosols play a significant role in indoor air quality (IAQ) as they can be the cause of several health problems, including acute allergies and infectious diseases. This study aimed to characterize and compare the microbial air quality of air-conditioned (AC) and naturally ventilated (NV) office rooms in the Upper Silesia region of Poland. The bacterial samples were collected during the late spring season. Culturable bacteria were deposited on the nutrient media on Petri dishes to investigate the viable-culturable count (VCC) of bacteria and bacterial community structure using a Biolog GEN III system. In total, 12 species of bacteria were identified, with the most isolated Macrococcus equipercicus, Micrococcus luteus D, Staphylococcus xylosus (indoor), and Bacillus species (outdoor). The indoor mean concentrations of bacterial aerosol ranged from 10 2 to 10 3 CFU m −3 , below Polish proposals for threshold limit standards in office buildings. The indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratios indicated that studied air pollutants in the office rooms originated from the indoor air. These results, together with community composition of bacteria, indicate that most of the bacteria present in the studied office building were relatively fresh and of human origin. Multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) tests showed that the most antibiotic-resistant features were present in Macrococcus species. The office building exposure dose (OBED) and mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of bacteria aerosol were estimated. The highest value of OBED over the study period was obtained for staff working in offices with natural ventilation (141 CFU kg −1), in contrast to the value for staff working in offices equipped with air conditioning (about 100 CFU kg −1). The MMAD of viable airborne bacteria was higher in AC offices (2.4 μm) than in NV offices (2.2 μm).

Atmosphere

The issue of healthy educational buildings is a global concern because children are particularly ... more The issue of healthy educational buildings is a global concern because children are particularly at risk of lung damage and infection caused by poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This article presents the results of a preliminary study of the concentration and size distribution of bacterial aerosol in three educational buildings: a preschool, primary school, and high school. Sampling was undertaken in the classrooms with an Andersen six-stage impactor (with aerodynamic cutoff diameters of 7.0, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1 and 0.65 µm) during spring 2016 and 2017, as well as the outside of the buildings. After incubation, bioaerosol particles captured on nutrient media on Petri dishes were quantitatively evaluated and qualitatively identified. The highest average concentration of bacterial aerosol was inside the primary school building (2205 CFU/m 3), whereas the lowest average concentration of indoor culturable bacteria was observed in the high school building (391 CFU/m 3). Using the obtained data, the exposure dose (ED) of the bacterial aerosol was estimated for children attending each educational level. The most frequently occurring species in the sampled bacterial aerosol were Gram-positive cocci in the indoor environment and Gram-positive rod-forming endospores in the outdoor environment.

Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine

Bioaerosols are particularly sensitive to sterilization processes due to their biological charact... more Bioaerosols are particularly sensitive to sterilization processes due to their biological characteristics. Phenomena occurring in the atmosphere have major influence on airborne bacteria and fungi concentration levels. The presented study evaluates the sterilization properties of ambient air temperature and solar radiation on viable bioaerosols concentration levels in outdoor air in Gliwice, Poland. Assigned were the breakpoints indicating limited stimulation properties of the air temperature, which amounted 7.5 °C for bacterial aerosol and 16.5 °C for fungal aerosol. Also revealed was the influence of solar radiation properties on decreasing the bioaerosols concentration levels. Both bacterial and fungal viable aerosol were sensitive to this radiation, although the phenomenon was more effective for airborne bacteria.

Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2015

Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2015

In the work results of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and connected PAHs concentrations measurements in Bytom are... more In the work results of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and connected PAHs concentrations measurements in Bytom are presented. Dust samples were collected simultaneously in two points situated by heavy loaded roads and also in two adequate background measurement points. PAHs concentrations in dust were determined by use of GC method. Mean 24-hour (daily?) concentrations of PM 2.5 , having roots in communication sources, are 9.66 and 5.67 µg m-3. For PM 10 adequate numbers are 17.11 and 20.70 µg m -3 . Amount of 16 commonly investigated PAHs, as a sum of their 24-hour concentrations in dust are respectively 56.17 and 73.40 ng m-3 in PM 2.5 and also 75.08 and 91.00 ng m -3 in PM 10 . PAHs concentration in Bytom depends

Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Land Reclamation, 2015

:As people spend most of the time in closed spaces (flats, workplaces, schools etc.), the indoor ... more :As people spend most of the time in closed spaces (flats, workplaces, schools etc.), the indoor air has been researched for many years all over the world. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the most often examined pollutants in the indoor and outdoor air. The following study presents the facts about PM in closed spaces and the most often taken actions. The least known aspects related to the indoor air pollution with PM are demonstrated. The indoor space of various service and office buildings/facilities (not related to production, i.e. offices, shops, beauty parlours, restaurant kitchens, restaurants, pubs etc.) seem to be an unrecognized area in the air pollution studies. Importantly, a great number of people work in such spaces all over the world and thus spend there a large part of their lives.

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2013

Solid State Phenomena, 2012

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2004

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two municipal landfills on the microbi... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of two municipal landfills on the microbiological air quality in offices on landfill sites. The evaluation was based on the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and the identification of isolated strains. Air samples were collected with a six-stage Andersen impactor. The concentrations of bacterial aerosol ranged from 1.0 x 10(3) to 7.2 x 10(4) colony forming units (CFU)/m(3) indoors, and from 7.0 x 10 to 4.0 x 10(4) CFU/m(3) outdoors. The corresponding fungal aerosol ranges were from 2.3 x 10(2) to 7.3 x 10(3) CFU/m(3) indoors and from 2.0 x 10(2) to 1.2 x 10(4) CFU/m(3) outdoors. The concentration levels were affected by the season of the year. The study showed that both indoor and outdoor air were heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi. The proximity of the unpaved transport route and the weighing of refuse loads contributed to the increase of bacterial and fungal aerosol concentrations significantly. The air in the offices was characterized not only by elevated concentrations of bacteria and fungi but also by high frequencies of gram-negative bacteria, along with fungal species characteristic of landfills. The quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the bacterial and fungal aerosol posed a possible health risk to office workers at municipal waste landfill sites.

Atmosphere, 2016

The goal of the study was to determine the concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM 1) ... more The goal of the study was to determine the concentrations of submicron particulate matter (PM 1) and of the mercury contained in it (Hg p) in the air in two teaching rooms in two Polish cities, Gliwice and Warsaw. The levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) differ greatly between these two cities. The relations between the indoor (I) and outdoor (O) 24-h concentrations for each PM 1 and Hg p were determined and, based on the conclusions, an attempt was made to identify the main sources of the indoor Hg p in both cities. During the whole measuring period (April-June 2015), in both Warsaw and Gliwice, the 24-h outdoor PM 1 concentrations were slightly higher than the indoor ones (outdoor and indoor averages were equal to 19.3 µg m −3 and 14.5 µg•m −3 , respectively, in Gliwice and to 13.2 µg•m −3 and 9.5 µg•m −3 in Warsaw). In Gliwice, the indoor concentrations of Hg p (2.4 pg•m −3 to 27.7 pg•m −3) were much higher than the outdoor ones (1.1 pg•m −3 to 6.1 pg•m −3); in Warsaw the average concentrations of Hg p were equal to 1.4 pg m −3 indoors and outdoors. The 24-h concentrations of Hg p and the 24-h I/O ratios for Hg p varied more intensely in Gliwice than in Warsaw throughout the whole measuring period. In Warsaw, the teaching room Hg p came mainly from the infiltration of atmospheric (outdoor) Hg p. In Gliwice, a part of the indoor Hg p infiltrated into the teaching room with the outdoor PM 1 that most probably was then enriched with gaseous indoor Hg, what resulted in the relatively high indoor Hg p concentrations.