The aim of the study is the assessment and analysis of the variability of human-bioclimatic conditions in southern part of Warsaw, depending on the atmospheric circulation in the long-term (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015). The Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI was applied to evaluate the human-bioclimatic conditions using meteorological data for the 12:00 UTC obtained from the WULS Ursynów weather station. In order to determine the relationship between the UTCI and its corresponding synoptic situation, the circulation type classification proposed by Lityński was used. It was found that the period from the second decade of April to the first decade of October is the most favourable one for recreation and relaxation. The situations not caused by thermal loads of humans are the most frequent and the values vary from 42.9% in October to 66.6% in August. Whereas weather conditions causing the 'strong' and 'very strong heat stresses' and the 'strong' and 'very strong cold stresses' were relatively rare. The analysis of influence of atmospheric circulation on bioclimatic conditions has shown that the most favourable conditions with no heat load (class 0) of the body occurred during cyclonic circulation in the summer (70%) mainly at advection from the North and South. Particular analysis of selected most strenuous days of the heat wave and the cold wave confirmed the occurrence of a high frequency of conditions stressing the human body with 'strong' and 'very strong heat' as well as 'strong cold' for most of the day during anticyclonic circulation in both cases.

This study assessed inhalation exposure to particulate matter (PM1)-bound mercury (Hgp) and PM1-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among university students. For this purpose, simultaneous indoor (I) and outdoor (O) measurements were taken from two Polish technical universities (in Gliwice and Warsaw) located in distinct areas with respect to ambient concentrations and major sources of PM. The indoor geometric mean concentrations of Hgp were found to be 1.46 pg·m−3 and 6.38 pg·m−3 in Warsaw and Gliwice, while the corresponding outdoor concentrations were slightly lower at 1.38 pg·m−3 and 3.03 pg·m−3, respectively. A distinct pattern was found with respect to PAH concentrations with estimated I/O values of 22.2 ng·m−3/22.5 ng·m−3 in Gliwice and 10.9 ng·m−3/11.12 ng·m−3 in Warsaw. Hazard quotients (HQs) as a result of exposure to Hgp for students aged 21 ranged from 3.47 × 10−5 (Warsaw) to 1.3 × 10−4 (Gliwice) in terms of reasonable maximum exposure (RME). The non-cancer human health risk value related to Hgp exposure was thus found to be below the acceptable risk level value of 1.0 given by the US EPA. Daily exposure values for lecture hall occupants, adjusted to the benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) toxicity equivalent (BaPeq), were 2.9 and 1.02 ng·m−3 for the Gliwice and Warsaw students, respectively. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values with respect to exposure to PM1-bound PAHs during the students’ time of study were 5.49 × 10−8 (Warsaw) and 1.43 × 10−7 (Gliwice). Thus, students’ exposure to indoor PAHs does not lead to increased risk of lung cancer.

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The research area includes one of the largest in terms of population and also the most attractive tourist area in Poland—Warsaw agglomeration. The aim of the study is to assess the temporal and spatial difference of the heat stress on the human body in this area based on long-term data (1980–2016). On the basis of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and designated Climate-Tourism-Information-Scheme (CTIS) diagrams, a comprehensive and detailed bioclimate assessment was made for three different areas. The highest values of the UTCI as well as the frequency of thermal sensations related to heat stress occurred at the Bielany station representing the city area, and the lowest at stations representing suburban area—Legionowo and outskirts—Okęcie. A negative linear trend of the number of days was observed for thermal stress related to cold stress and the category of ‘no thermal stress’ while a positive linear trend was obtained for thermal stress related to heat stress. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that in summer months (in June over 60%) the conditions are favourable for the residents causing the lack or slight intensification of the body’s adaptation processes and they are beneficial for practicing various forms of recreation and tourism. However, on the other hand, the rise in the number of days with the ‘strong and very strong heat stress’ especially at the station representing the city area is a disturbing factor and negatively affecting both the health and well-being of agglomeration residents in the future.