Microbial Air Pollution in Poltava

Abstract

Regular monitoring of air quality indicators, including microbial composition, is crucial for public health and should be a cornerstone of national healthcare policy. However, existing scientific literature lacks comprehensive data on microbial air pollution in Ukraine, particularly in Poltava and its surrounding areas. This study aims to assess the level of microbial air pollution across various districts within Poltava city.
 Materials and methods. The Koch sedimentation method was used to assess the level of microbial air pollution in the districts of Poltava. For this purpose, atmospheric air sampling was taken in park zones of various districts in the city of Poltava during October 2023. For comparison, air samples were taken in deciduous and coniferous forests of villages adjacent to the city. According to the results of cultivation, the total microbial count (TCM) of the air in 1 m3 of each sample was calculated separately.
 Statistical analysis of the obtained results was carried out using the standard Microsoft Excel 2019 and GraphPad Prism Software 10.1.0 software packages. (US, 2023).
 Results. The study has revealed the greatest microbial pollution of atmospheric air was found in Pavlenkivskyi Park (Kyiv District, Poltava City). The air quality index of atmospheric air in Corpusnyi Park turned out to be 4 times lower, compared to the air index of the Kyiv district. During the cultivation of atmospheric air samples taken in the Voiniv-Afghantsiv park (Shevchenkivskyi district of the city), the TCM was determined to be 8.2 times lower than that of the Pavlenkivskyi park. Interestingly, the "Peremoha" park (Shevchenkivskyi district) exhibited the lowest levels of microbial contamination. Overall, the Podilskyi district demonstrated favorable air quality indicators, surpassed only by the "Peremoha" park. However, it's important to note the presence of hemolytic streptococci in this district, which poses a potential health risk.
 Conclusion. The highest level of microbial air pollution has been found in the Kyiv district of Poltava, the lowest level is within the boundaries of the Shevchenkivskyi district on the territory of the "Peremoha" park. Microbiological air quality in Poltava's park areas exhibits an inverse relationship with proximity to the city's central roads.