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

Abstract

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 exposure to fungal aerosol in the lecture rooms of schools in the Lesser Poland region

“…This aligns with the trend observed by other researchers. This fact can significantly impact on the actual exposure and the dose of inhaled particles (Clauß 2015, Gołofit-Szymczak et al 2015, Górny et al 2020. Particles smaller than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) can remain in the air for a long time, can interact with other substances and are harmful for human health (Feng at al.…”

“…Based on the conducted tests and the obtained data on particle size distributions, it can be inferred that in the case of a fungal aerosol, the "load" of microorganisms of the above-described sizes can penetrate into the lower respiratory tract, reaching the region of the bronchioles and alveolar region of the lungs. This information is particularly important for the assessment of the effects of the fungal aerosol on the human body because the site of deposition of the harmful agent enables the prediction of potential adverse health effects resulting from this type of exposure (Clauß M. 2015, Estillore et al 2016, Górny at al. 2020.…”

Poultry house as point source of intense bioaerosol emission

“…This phenomenon is of particular importance, especially in the case of relatively fragile vegetative bacterial cells. Moreover, the bacterial cells are usually aerodynamically smaller (between 0.6-1.3 µm) than fungal conidia (between 1.7-5.6 µm) [54,55]. Hence, their 'half-life' times (i.e.…”

A first insight into the Polish Bochnia Salt Mine metagenome

“…However, due to the function of mines as inhalation chambers for patients of health resorts, most studies have focused on bioaerosols. Their findings indicate that the air in salt chambers is characterized by a reduced level of biological contamination, including pathogen contents (Gębarowska et al 2018 ; Górny et al 2020 ; Myszkowska et al 2019 ). Studies on the origin and health significance of airborne dusts in the Bochnia Salt Mine have also failed to detect any potentially toxic substances in the air.…”