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Dr. Anna Mainka
Silesian University of Technology

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Journal article
Published: 25 August 2021 in Atmosphere
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This study evaluates the health risks related to heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Zn, and metalloid As) in the indoor dust samples of total suspended particles (TSP) and particles with diameter 1) or carcinogenic risks above the upper acceptable limit (1 × 10−4). However, the cumulative HQ values (ΣHQ) for three exposure pathways were greater than the safe level. The highest cumulative non-carcinogenic risk presented the TSP in rural kindergartens (2.0 × 10−4). In the same location as the TSP, the highest carcinogenic risk was also observed (9.1 × 10−4). High carcinogenic risks (>10−4) were found for the ingestion pathway of TSP inside urban and rural kindergartens and of PM1 in urban ones. A comparative evaluation shows that the health risks of trace elements in airborne particles in Polish kindergartens bring high risk.

ACS Style

Anna Mainka. Children Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP) and PM1 in Kindergartens during Winter and Spring Seasons. Atmosphere 2021, 12, 1096 .

AMA Style

Anna Mainka. Children Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP) and PM1 in Kindergartens during Winter and Spring Seasons. Atmosphere. 2021; 12 (9):1096.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka. 2021. "Children Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP) and PM1 in Kindergartens during Winter and Spring Seasons." Atmosphere 12, no. 9: 1096.

Journal article
Published: 12 December 2020 in Sustainability
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Sustainable development requires ensuring the mobility of residents and must not cause deterioration of the quality of the environment in the selected area. The purpose of this study is to verify if the construction of a cross-regional highway through the city centre affected air quality in the neighbourhood of a newly built road. Air quality was assessed based on measurements of concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, which is considered to be typical for automotive sources air pollution. The spectrophotometric method with passive sampling was used in the 24 h NO2 measurements. The calculated mean NO2 concentrations in the periods before and after road construction were within the ranges of 23.2–31.9 μg/m3 and 22.3–28.9 μg/m3, respectively. The relative NO2 concentrations determined in the study for 10 out of 11 sampling points were lower than the unity, including 5 points markedly lower (0.82–0.89). The obtained results indicate that the construction of the new artery by the city centre, using appropriate technical solutions and traffic organization (tunnel, noise barriers, roundabouts, speed limit) likely contributed to an overall reduction in NO2 concentrations. The presented solution may serve as an example for other cities struggling with problems of low air quality associated with inefficient transportation systems.

ACS Style

Magdalena Żak; Anna Mainka. Cross-Regional Highway Built through a City Centre as an Example of the Sustainable Development of Urban Transport. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10403 .

AMA Style

Magdalena Żak, Anna Mainka. Cross-Regional Highway Built through a City Centre as an Example of the Sustainable Development of Urban Transport. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (24):10403.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Magdalena Żak; Anna Mainka. 2020. "Cross-Regional Highway Built through a City Centre as an Example of the Sustainable Development of Urban Transport." Sustainability 12, no. 24: 10403.

Journal article
Published: 29 July 2020 in Atmosphere
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The benefits of regular exercise include improved physical and mental health. The school gym is a particular micro-environment where students perform intensive physical training. The question is if there is an increased risk of microbiological contamination. This preliminary work studied the exposure of students to bacterial aerosol (BA) in a highschool gym located in an urban area of Southern Poland. A sampling of BA was undertaken with an Andersen six-stage impactor (ANDI). BA was identified using API (analytical profile index) tests. The BA concentrations were expressed as Colony Forming Units (CFU) per cubic metre of air. The results showed that before gym classes (BGC), the concentration of BA was 4.20 × 102 ± 49.19 CFU/m3, while during gym classes (DGC), the level of BA more than doubled (8.75 × 102 ± 121.39 CFU/m3). There was also an increase in the respirable fraction of BA (particles less than 3.3 µm). Before the start of the sports activities, respirable fraction accounted for 30% of the BA, while during physical education classes, this share increased to over 80%. Identification of BA species showed that the dominant group of bacteria in the indoor air of the gym BGC was Gram-positive rods (61%) and for DGC it was Gram-positive cocci (81%). We detected that one bacteria strain (Corynebacterium striatum) was classified into risk group 2 (RG2) according to Directive 2000/54/EC. Additionally, multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) showed that among the isolated airborne bacteria, the highest antibiotic resistance was demonstrated by Staphylococcus epidermis (isolated DGC) and Pseudomonas sp. (isolated BGC). The quantitative and qualitative information on microbiological air quality (MIAQ) in the school gym indicates that the actions to improve indoor physical activity spaces are recommended.

ACS Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Izabela Biedroń; Anna Mainka. Microbiological Air Quality in a Highschool Gym Located in an Urban Area of Southern Poland—Preliminary Research. Atmosphere 2020, 11, 797 .

AMA Style

Ewa Brągoszewska, Izabela Biedroń, Anna Mainka. Microbiological Air Quality in a Highschool Gym Located in an Urban Area of Southern Poland—Preliminary Research. Atmosphere. 2020; 11 (8):797.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Izabela Biedroń; Anna Mainka. 2020. "Microbiological Air Quality in a Highschool Gym Located in an Urban Area of Southern Poland—Preliminary Research." Atmosphere 11, no. 8: 797.

Journal article
Published: 31 May 2020 in Buildings
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(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.

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Walter Mucha; Józef S. Pastuszka; Ewa Brągoszewska; Agnieszka Janoszek. Non-commercial Air Purifier—The Effectiveness and Safety. Buildings 2020, 10, 104 .

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Walter Mucha, Józef S. Pastuszka, Ewa Brągoszewska, Agnieszka Janoszek. Non-commercial Air Purifier—The Effectiveness and Safety. Buildings. 2020; 10 (6):104.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Walter Mucha; Józef S. Pastuszka; Ewa Brągoszewska; Agnieszka Janoszek. 2020. "Non-commercial Air Purifier—The Effectiveness and Safety." Buildings 10, no. 6: 104.

Journal article
Published: 25 April 2020 in Building and Environment
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This paper presents the results of measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2), BTESX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and xylenes), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤4 μm (PM4) during the winter season in the Upper Silesia region, Poland. The samples were collected simultaneously outside and inside residential buildings (flats and houses), including kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. Concentrations of CO2 were measured automatically, PM4, gravimetrically, while BTESX and NO2 were collected by passive methods and determined by gas chromatography (GC) and spectrophotometry, respectively. The highest CO2 concentrations were found in bedrooms (mean value 857 ± 217 ppm), pointing to a small volume of this type of room. Toluene had the highest concentration among studied volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with the max. values 135.46 and 77.11 μg/m3 in flats and houses, respectively. Elevated concentrations of BTESX indoors (63.7 ± 39.6, 57.0 ± 32.7 and 67.7 ± 48.4 μg/m3 in bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms, respectively) point to the significant role of renovation works in flats, particularly the use of Styrofoam, as well as poor ventilation of garages located in houses. Increased NO2 concentrations (20.5 ± 6.5, 24.9 ± 13.2 and 21.2 ± 10.9 μg/m3 in bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms, respectively) were observed with intensive use of gas cookers; however, no exceedances of the accepted levels were reported. Results indicate that occupants in studied buildings are particularly exposed to high PM4 levels from 26.1 to 314.9 μg/m3 associated with infiltration from outdoor air, which can be dangerous for their health.

ACS Style

Barbara Kozielska; Anna Mainka; Magdalena Żak; Dorota Kaleta; Walter Mucha. Indoor air quality in residential buildings in Upper Silesia, Poland. Building and Environment 2020, 177, 106914 .

AMA Style

Barbara Kozielska, Anna Mainka, Magdalena Żak, Dorota Kaleta, Walter Mucha. Indoor air quality in residential buildings in Upper Silesia, Poland. Building and Environment. 2020; 177 ():106914.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barbara Kozielska; Anna Mainka; Magdalena Żak; Dorota Kaleta; Walter Mucha. 2020. "Indoor air quality in residential buildings in Upper Silesia, Poland." Building and Environment 177, no. : 106914.

Journal article
Published: 05 December 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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(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.

ACS Style

Józef S. Pastuszka; Walter Mucha; Agnieszka Wlazło; Danuta Lis; Ewa Marchwińska-Wyrwał; Anna Mainka. The Study of the Sterilization of the Indoor Air in Hospital/Clinic Rooms by Using the Electron Wind Generator. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 4935 .

AMA Style

Józef S. Pastuszka, Walter Mucha, Agnieszka Wlazło, Danuta Lis, Ewa Marchwińska-Wyrwał, Anna Mainka. The Study of the Sterilization of the Indoor Air in Hospital/Clinic Rooms by Using the Electron Wind Generator. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (24):4935.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Józef S. Pastuszka; Walter Mucha; Agnieszka Wlazło; Danuta Lis; Ewa Marchwińska-Wyrwał; Anna Mainka. 2019. "The Study of the Sterilization of the Indoor Air in Hospital/Clinic Rooms by Using the Electron Wind Generator." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 24: 4935.

Journal article
Published: 30 October 2019 in Atmosphere
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(1) Background: The work presents results of concentration measurements of PM1, collected in the indoor air of four preschool buildings in Gliwice and its environs (Silesia Province) and in ambient air in the vicinity of four working hard coal power plants and four coking plants located in southern Poland. (2) Methods: The samples of 10 µm fractions were collected with the use of Dekati® PM10 cascade impactor, and concentrations of seven trace elements (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Se) were determined. (3) Results: The concentrations of PM1 changed in the range of 3.1 μg/m3–65.3 μg/m3. Among trace elements, the highest concentrations in indoor air were evidenced for Cr (129–219 ng/m3), while in outdoor air for Pb (12.6–21.2 ng/m3). Principal Component Analysis PCA analysis extracted three factors of rural dusts, city dusts, and natural soils. (4) Conclusions: The paper points to accumulation of carcinogenic Cd, Cr, and Ni in indoor air, and significant contribution of trace elements in PM1, which, owing to long-lasting exposure and elevated sensitivity of developing organisms, may evoke effects on health of children.

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. PM1 in Ambient and Indoor Air—Urban and Rural Areas in the Upper Silesian Region, Poland. Atmosphere 2019, 10, 662 .

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. PM1 in Ambient and Indoor Air—Urban and Rural Areas in the Upper Silesian Region, Poland. Atmosphere. 2019; 10 (11):662.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. 2019. "PM1 in Ambient and Indoor Air—Urban and Rural Areas in the Upper Silesian Region, Poland." Atmosphere 10, no. 11: 662.

Journal article
Published: 27 September 2019 in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A
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Dendrogram (DE), heat map (HM) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods were used in order to identify possible emission sources of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se in ambient PM10 collected in the surroundings of working power plants. Each statistical tool resulted in slightly different clusters. The best approximation of possible emission sources was received by the use of statistical analysis of trace-element concentrations combined with characterization of the sampling sites. In the study, PCA was indicated as the most useful statistical tool for source apportionment of trace elements in PM10. Major sources identified by PCA included: (1) coal combustion, (2) soil and road-dust resuspension, (3) the use of pesticides and (4) waste incineration.

ACS Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Anna Mainka; Konrad Kaczmarek. Dendrograms, heat maps and principal component analysis – the practical use of statistical methods for source apportionment of trace elements in PM10. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A 2019, 1 -8.

AMA Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Anna Mainka, Konrad Kaczmarek. Dendrograms, heat maps and principal component analysis – the practical use of statistical methods for source apportionment of trace elements in PM10. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A. 2019; ():1-8.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Anna Mainka; Konrad Kaczmarek. 2019. "Dendrograms, heat maps and principal component analysis – the practical use of statistical methods for source apportionment of trace elements in PM10." Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A , no. : 1-8.

Journal article
Published: 28 August 2019 in Applied Sciences
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(1) Background: Healthy teenagers are often sleepy. This can be explained by their physiology and behavioral changes; however, the influence of CO2 concentration above 1000 ppm should not be neglected with respect to sleep dissatisfaction. (2) Methods: CO2 concentrations were measured in two similar bedrooms occupied by girls aged 9 and 13 years old. The scheme of measurements included random opening and closing of the bedroom doors for the night. Additionally, the girls evaluated their sleep satisfaction in a post-sleep questionnaire. (3) Results: During the night, the CO2 concentration varied from 402 to 3320 ppm in the teenager’s bedroom and from 458 to 2176 ppm in the child’s bedroom. When the bedroom doors were open, inadequate indoor air quality (IEQIII and IEQIV categories) was observed in both the teenager’s and child’s bedroom during 11% and 25% of the night, respectively; however, closing the doors increased the contribution of moderate (IEQIII) and low (IEQIV) categories of air to 79% and 86%, respectively. The girls were dissatisfied only when the bedroom door was closed. The satisfied category of sleep was selected only by the younger girl. (4) Conclusions: Opening the bedroom door during the night can decrease the CO2 concentration 55–64% without reducing thermal comfort.

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Keeping Doors Closed as One Reason for Fatigue in Teenagers—A Case Study. Applied Sciences 2019, 9, 3533 .

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Keeping Doors Closed as One Reason for Fatigue in Teenagers—A Case Study. Applied Sciences. 2019; 9 (17):3533.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. 2019. "Keeping Doors Closed as One Reason for Fatigue in Teenagers—A Case Study." Applied Sciences 9, no. 17: 3533.

Journal article
Published: 19 April 2019 in Medycyna Pracy
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Background: An important issue in the assessment of health risks related to air pollution with fine dust is the measurement of individual exposure. Such possibilities are provided by relatively easy to use optical monitors. The aim of the presented work was to assess the possibility of using...

ACS Style

Małgorzata Kowalska; Anna Mainka; Walter Mucha. The usefulness of an optical monitor for the assessment of human exposure to fine dust in indoor air. Medycyna Pracy 2019, 70, 213 -220.

AMA Style

Małgorzata Kowalska, Anna Mainka, Walter Mucha. The usefulness of an optical monitor for the assessment of human exposure to fine dust in indoor air. Medycyna Pracy. 2019; 70 (2):213-220.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Małgorzata Kowalska; Anna Mainka; Walter Mucha. 2019. "The usefulness of an optical monitor for the assessment of human exposure to fine dust in indoor air." Medycyna Pracy 70, no. 2: 213-220.

Journal article
Published: 27 February 2018 in Atmosphere
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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 cut-off 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/m3), whereas the lowest average concentration of indoor culturable bacteria was observed in the high school building (391 CFU/m3). 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.

ACS Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Józef S. Pastuszka; Katarzyna Lizończyk; Yitages Getachew Desta. Assessment of Bacterial Aerosol in a Preschool, Primary School and High School in Poland. Atmosphere 2018, 9, 87 .

AMA Style

Ewa Brągoszewska, Anna Mainka, Józef S. Pastuszka, Katarzyna Lizończyk, Yitages Getachew Desta. Assessment of Bacterial Aerosol in a Preschool, Primary School and High School in Poland. Atmosphere. 2018; 9 (3):87.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Józef S. Pastuszka; Katarzyna Lizończyk; Yitages Getachew Desta. 2018. "Assessment of Bacterial Aerosol in a Preschool, Primary School and High School in Poland." Atmosphere 9, no. 3: 87.

Conference paper
Published: 10 January 2018 in E3S Web of Conferences
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The analysis reported in this study was performed to characterize the concentrations and water-soluble content of trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se) in PM2.5, PM10 and PM2.5-10 samples collected in the surroundings of power plants in southern Poland. The solubility of trace elements bound to PM2.5 and PM10 was higher than for PM2.5-10, and in most cases, significant differences were revealed in the relative percentage concentrations of the water-soluble fractions. The occurrence of Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb and Se in first PCA (Principal Component Analysis) factor (PC1) – indicate coal combustion processes as the potential source of these elements. Other factors indicate two further anthropogenic sources: the resuspension of road dust due to vehicular activities and waste burning in domestic sources – factor (PC2), and, soil dust sources affected by fugitive dust from the mining processes and unpaved roads, as well as transportation and deposition of coal –factor (PC3).

ACS Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Anna Mainka; Konrad Kaczmarek. Determination of water-soluble elements in PM2.5, PM10, and PM2.5-10 collected in the surroundings of power plants. E3S Web of Conferences 2018, 28, 1042 .

AMA Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Anna Mainka, Konrad Kaczmarek. Determination of water-soluble elements in PM2.5, PM10, and PM2.5-10 collected in the surroundings of power plants. E3S Web of Conferences. 2018; 28 ():1042.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Anna Mainka; Konrad Kaczmarek. 2018. "Determination of water-soluble elements in PM2.5, PM10, and PM2.5-10 collected in the surroundings of power plants." E3S Web of Conferences 28, no. : 1042.

Conference paper
Published: 10 January 2018 in E3S Web of Conferences
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Children’s exposure to air pollutants is an important public health challenge. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in nursery school is believed to be different from elementary school. Moreover, younger children are more vulnerable to air pollution than higher grade children because they spend more time indoors, and their immune systems and bodies are less mature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indoor air quality (IAQ) at naturally ventilated rural nursery schools located in Upper Silesia, Poland. We investigated the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), bacterial and fungal bioaerosols, as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in younger and older children's classrooms during the winter and spring seasons. The concentration of the investigated pollutants in indoor environments was higher than those in outdoor air. The results indicate the problem of elevated concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 inside the examined classrooms, as well as that of high levels of CO2 exceeding 1,000 ppm in relation to outdoor air. The characteristics of PM and CO2 levels were significantly different, both in terms of classroom occupation (younger or older children) and of season (winter or spring).

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Barbara Kozielska; Ewa Brągoszewska. Investigation of air pollutants in rural nursery school – a case study. E3S Web of Conferences 2018, 28, 01022 .

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Barbara Kozielska, Ewa Brągoszewska. Investigation of air pollutants in rural nursery school – a case study. E3S Web of Conferences. 2018; 28 ():01022.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Barbara Kozielska; Ewa Brągoszewska. 2018. "Investigation of air pollutants in rural nursery school – a case study." E3S Web of Conferences 28, no. : 01022.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2017 in Atmosphere
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The concentrations and size distributions of culturable bacterial aerosols were measured during spring and winter in outdoor air in Gliwice, Upper Silesia, Poland. This research on culturable bacteria was carried over a period of two years. The samples were collected using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor (with aerodynamic cut-off diameters of 7.0, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1, and 0.65 μm). The results showed that the average concentration of culturable bacterial aerosol was 355 CFU m−3 in spring, which was four times higher than during winter (65 CFU m−3). Bacterial aerosol concentrations showed the unimodal size distribution with the highest range of 3.3–4.7 μm particles. The seasonal distributions of bacterial aerosol grain clearly indicate that, in winter, the size distribution of particles <7 μm is more “flattened” and is characterized by an increased share of fine fractions and a decreased share of coarse ones. Environmental parameters, such as temperature, UV radiation, relative humidity, wind velocity, as well as PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, were measured in order to analyse whether environmental factors had any effect on bacterial aerosols. Statistically, the most important meteorological factors in the viability of airborne bacteria were temperature and UV radiation.

ACS Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Jozef S. Pastuszka. Concentration and Size Distribution of Culturable Bacteria in Ambient Air during Spring and Winter in Gliwice: A Typical Urban Area. Atmosphere 2017, 8, 239 .

AMA Style

Ewa Brągoszewska, Anna Mainka, Jozef S. Pastuszka. Concentration and Size Distribution of Culturable Bacteria in Ambient Air during Spring and Winter in Gliwice: A Typical Urban Area. Atmosphere. 2017; 8 (12):239.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Jozef S. Pastuszka. 2017. "Concentration and Size Distribution of Culturable Bacteria in Ambient Air during Spring and Winter in Gliwice: A Typical Urban Area." Atmosphere 8, no. 12: 239.

Article
Published: 11 July 2017 in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
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Samples of PM1 were collected in the surroundings of coking plants located in southern Poland. Chemical fractionation provided information on the contents of trace elements As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se in all mobile (F1–F3) and not mobile (F4) fractions of PM1 in the vicinity of large sources of emissions related to energochemical processing of coal during the summer. The determined enrichment factors indicate the influence of anthropogenic sources on the concentration of the examined elements contained in PM1 in the areas subjected to investigation. The analysis of health risk for the assumed scenario of inhabitant exposure to the toxic effect of elements, based on the values of the hazard index, revealed that the absorption of the examined elements contained in the most mobile fractions of particulate matter via inhalation by children and adults can be considered potentially harmless to the health of people inhabiting the surroundings of coking plants during the summer (HI < 1). It has been estimated that due to the inhalation exposure to carcinogenic elements, i.e., As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb, contained in the most mobile fractions (F1 + F2) of PM1, approximately four adults and one child out of one million people living in the vicinity of the coking plants may develop cancer.

ACS Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Tomasz Radko; Anna Mainka. Fractionation of trace elements and human health risk of submicron particulate matter (PM1) collected in the surroundings of coking plants. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2017, 189, 1 -19.

AMA Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Tomasz Radko, Anna Mainka. Fractionation of trace elements and human health risk of submicron particulate matter (PM1) collected in the surroundings of coking plants. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2017; 189 (8):1-19.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Tomasz Radko; Anna Mainka. 2017. "Fractionation of trace elements and human health risk of submicron particulate matter (PM1) collected in the surroundings of coking plants." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 189, no. 8: 1-19.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2017 in International Journal of Environment and Pollution
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Indoor air quality in nursery schools is an emerging public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to younger children because they are more vulnerable to air pollution than older children. Here we present PM10 concentrations and trace element composition in naturally ventilated nursery schools located in Gliwice, Poland. The results indicate there is a problem with elevated PM10 concentrations inside the examined classrooms. The exposure of children to trace elements varied in terms of localisation and season. PM10 concentration and its trace element composition have been studied using correlation coefficients between the different trace elements, the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA). PCA allowed for the identification of the three possible sources, namely: anthropogenic combustion emissions (31.1%), soil dust contaminated by sewage sludge dumping (19.9%) and mixed soil emissions (24.0%).

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Konrad Kaczmarek. PM10 composition in urban and rural nursery schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: a trace elements analysis. International Journal of Environment and Pollution 2017, 61, 98 .

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Konrad Kaczmarek. PM10 composition in urban and rural nursery schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: a trace elements analysis. International Journal of Environment and Pollution. 2017; 61 (2):98.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Konrad Kaczmarek. 2017. "PM10 composition in urban and rural nursery schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: a trace elements analysis." International Journal of Environment and Pollution 61, no. 2: 98.

Journal article
Published: 09 November 2016 in Atmosphere
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This study aimed to characterize airborne bacteria and fungi populations present in rural nursery schools in the Upper Silesia region of Poland during winter and spring seasons through quantification and identification procedures. Bacterial and fungal concentration levels and size distributions were obtained by the use of a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor. Results showed a wide range of indoor bioaerosols levels. The maximum level of viable bacterial aerosols indoors was about 2600 CFU·m−3, two to three times higher than the outdoor level. Fungi levels were lower, from 82 to 1549 CFU·m−3, with indoor concentrations comparable to or lower than outdoor concentrations. The most prevalent bacteria found indoors were Gram-positive cocci (>65%). Using the obtained data, the nursery school exposure dose (NSED) of bioaerosols was estimated for both the children and personnel of nursery schools. The highest dose for younger children was estimated to range: 327–706 CFU·kg−1 for bacterial aerosols and 31–225 CFU·kg−1 for fungal aerosols. These results suggest an elevated risk of adverse health effects on younger children. These findings may contribute to the promotion and implementation of preventative public health programs and the formulation of recommendations aimed at providing healthier school environments.

ACS Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Jozef S. Pastuszka. Bacterial and Fungal Aerosols in Rural Nursery Schools in Southern Poland. Atmosphere 2016, 7, 142 .

AMA Style

Ewa Brągoszewska, Anna Mainka, Jozef S. Pastuszka. Bacterial and Fungal Aerosols in Rural Nursery Schools in Southern Poland. Atmosphere. 2016; 7 (11):142.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Jozef S. Pastuszka. 2016. "Bacterial and Fungal Aerosols in Rural Nursery Schools in Southern Poland." Atmosphere 7, no. 11: 142.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2016 in AIMS Environmental Science
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Indoor air quality (IAQ) in nursery school is believed to be different from elementary school. Moreover, younger children are more vulnerable to air pollution than higher grade children because they spend more time indoors, and their immune systems and bodies are less mature. The purpose of this study was to compare the concentrations of the monoaromatic volatile benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene m,p-xylene and o-xylene (BTEX) in urban nursery schools located in Gliwice, Poland. The nursery schools were chosen to include areas with different urbanization and traffic density characteristics in order to gather a more diverse picture of exposure risks in the various regions of the city. BTEX were sampled during winter and spring seasons in older and younger children classrooms. The samples were thermally desorbed (TD) and then analyzed with use of gas chromatography (GC). In addition, outdoor measurements were carried out in the playground at each nursery school. BTEX quantification, indoor/outdoor concentration, and correlation coefficients were used to identify pollutant sources. Elevated levels of o-xylene and ethylbenzene were found in all monitored classrooms during the winter season. Outdoor concentrations were lower than indoors for each classroom. Indicators based on health risk assessment for chronic health effects associated with carcinogenic benzene or non-carcinogenic BTEX were proposed to rank sites according to their hazard level

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Barbara Kozielska. Assessment of the BTEX concentrations and health risk in urban nursery schools in Gliwice, Poland. AIMS Environmental Science 2016, 3, 858 -870.

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Barbara Kozielska. Assessment of the BTEX concentrations and health risk in urban nursery schools in Gliwice, Poland. AIMS Environmental Science. 2016; 3 (4):858-870.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Barbara Kozielska. 2016. "Assessment of the BTEX concentrations and health risk in urban nursery schools in Gliwice, Poland." AIMS Environmental Science 3, no. 4: 858-870.

Journal article
Published: 28 December 2015 in Aerobiologia
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This work presents the results of the study of airborne bacteria in a kindergarten in Gliwice, Upper Silesia, Poland. In this study, the samples of bioaerosols were collected using six-stage Andersen cascade impactor (with aerodynamic cutoff diameters 7.0, 4.7, 3.3, 2.1, 1.1, and 0.65 μm). The level of culturable bacterial aerosols indoors was about 3000 CFU m−3—six to eight times higher than outdoors. In the classrooms, respirable bacterial particles, <4.7 µm, contributed up to 85 % of the total number of culturable bacteria, increasing the possible adverse health effects due to their inhalation. The identification of the bacterial species showing the dominance of gram-positive cocci in the indoor environment and non-sporing gram-positive rods in the outdoor air indicates that most of the bacteria present in the studied kindergarten are human origin. Using the obtained data, the nursery school exposure dose (NSED) of bioaerosols was estimated for the children and personnel of this kindergarten (nursery school). The highest value of NSED was obtained for younger children (930 CFU kg−1) compared to older children (about 600 CFU kg−1) and to the kindergarten staff (about 300 CFU kg−1). This result suggests the elevated risk of adverse health effects in younger children exposed to the bioaerosols in the kindergarten, including infections.

ACS Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Jozef S. Pastuszka. Bacterial aerosols in an urban nursery school in Gliwice, Poland: a case study. Aerobiologia 2015, 32, 469 -480.

AMA Style

Ewa Brągoszewska, Anna Mainka, Jozef S. Pastuszka. Bacterial aerosols in an urban nursery school in Gliwice, Poland: a case study. Aerobiologia. 2015; 32 (3):469-480.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ewa Brągoszewska; Anna Mainka; Jozef S. Pastuszka. 2015. "Bacterial aerosols in an urban nursery school in Gliwice, Poland: a case study." Aerobiologia 32, no. 3: 469-480.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2015 in Atmospheric Pollution Research
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Children's exposure to air pollutants is an important public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to preschools because younger children are more vulnerable to air pollution than higher grade children and spend more time indoors. The purpose of this study was to compare the indoor air quality (IAQ) at nursery schools located in Gliwice, Poland. We investigated the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM) and bacterial and fungal bioaerosols, as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in younger and older children's classrooms during the winter season at two urban nursery schools, located within traffic and residential areas. The concentration of the investigated pollutants in indoor environments was higher than those in outdoor air. The results clearly indicate the problem of elevated concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 inside the classrooms. High levels of CO2 exceeding 1000 ppm in relation to outdoor air also confirmed the low indoor air quality of classrooms. This is concerning in terms of the exposure effects on the health of children. The relation between IAQ in older and younger children's classrooms was also statistically significant in the case of PM and CO2. Improving ventilation, decreasing the occupancy per room and completing cleaning activities following occupancy periods can contribute to alleviating high CO2 and particle levels.

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Ewa Brągoszewska; Barbara Kozielska; Józef S. Pastuszka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Indoor air quality in urban nursery schools in Gliwice, Poland: Analysis of the case study. Atmospheric Pollution Research 2015, 6, 1098 -1104.

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Ewa Brągoszewska, Barbara Kozielska, Józef S. Pastuszka, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Indoor air quality in urban nursery schools in Gliwice, Poland: Analysis of the case study. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 2015; 6 (6):1098-1104.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Ewa Brągoszewska; Barbara Kozielska; Józef S. Pastuszka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. 2015. "Indoor air quality in urban nursery schools in Gliwice, Poland: Analysis of the case study." Atmospheric Pollution Research 6, no. 6: 1098-1104.