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Elwira Zajusz-Zubek
Department of Air Protection, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

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Journal article
Published: 21 May 2021 in Sustainability
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Highly intense and chronic physical activity may cause an inflammatory process in the airways. The inflammatory process in the respiratory system can be measured either by the spirometry test and exhaled nitric oxide. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different levels of physical activity on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and spirometry parameters. Fifty healthy students (volunteers) who were participating in physical activity classes (low level of physical activity) and attending sports training (high and medium level of physical activity) completed two indoor exercise training two to three weeks apart. FeNO was measured twice, at baseline and after 45–60 min of exercise followed by spirometry. There was no significant difference in FeNO values and spirometry parameters between the groups with different physical activity. However, students with the highest level of physical activity presented a higher and significant variance of FeNO levels in comparison to students with lower physical activity. Healthy young adults (professional sportspersons) have a higher internal variability of FeNO. That suggests the initial ongoing inflammatory process in the airways. Any level of physical activity does not affect spirometry parameters before and after training in young healthy adults.

ACS Style

Kamil Barański; Krzysztof Kocot; Edyta Melaniuk-Wolny; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Małgorzata Kowalska. The Effect of Physical Activity on Spirometry and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Adolescents—Longitudinal Study. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5770 .

AMA Style

Kamil Barański, Krzysztof Kocot, Edyta Melaniuk-Wolny, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Małgorzata Kowalska. The Effect of Physical Activity on Spirometry and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Adolescents—Longitudinal Study. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):5770.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kamil Barański; Krzysztof Kocot; Edyta Melaniuk-Wolny; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Małgorzata Kowalska. 2021. "The Effect of Physical Activity on Spirometry and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Adolescents—Longitudinal Study." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 5770.

Journal article
Published: 03 December 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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During physical exercise, the absorbed dose of air pollutants increases. Acute effects of exposure to air pollutants during exercise in healthy young adults remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to assess the acute responses in fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood pressure to air pollution exposure during exercise in young adults with different physical activity levels (low or high). In this study, 76 healthy university students participating in physical activity classes (low level of physical activity) and attending sports training (high level of physical activity) completed two indoor exercise trials when air pollutant concentrations were high (exposure trial) and when the quality of the air was good (control trial). We monitored indoor particulate matter with diameter 10 and PM2.5) and outdoor PM10, nitric oxides (NO2, NOx, NO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) concentrations. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and FeNO were measured at baseline and after 45–60 min of physical activity. There were no significant differences between physiological responses to training performed under different exposure conditions in blood pressure, HR, and SpO2. Significant positive correlations between post-exercise ΔFeNO during exposure trials and ambient air pollutants were found. FeNO increase during the exposure trial was associated with a higher physical activity level and higher outdoor PM10 and NO2 concentrations. In young and healthy adults, some differences in physiological responses to physical activity between polluted and control environments could be observed. Participants with a high physical activity level were more likely to have an increase in FeNO after exercise in a polluted environment but not after the control exercise trials.

ACS Style

Krzysztof Kocot; Kamil Barański; Edyta Melaniuk-Wolny; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Małgorzata Kowalska. Acute FeNO and Blood Pressure Responses to Air Pollution Exposure in Young Adults during Physical Activity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 9012 .

AMA Style

Krzysztof Kocot, Kamil Barański, Edyta Melaniuk-Wolny, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Małgorzata Kowalska. Acute FeNO and Blood Pressure Responses to Air Pollution Exposure in Young Adults during Physical Activity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (23):9012.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Krzysztof Kocot; Kamil Barański; Edyta Melaniuk-Wolny; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Małgorzata Kowalska. 2020. "Acute FeNO and Blood Pressure Responses to Air Pollution Exposure in Young Adults during Physical Activity." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 23: 9012.

Journal article
Published: 17 October 2020 in Atmospheric Environment
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The analysis of bioavailability and potential risk to human health of trace and minor elements bound to atmospheric PM2.5 was carried out at an urban background site in Warsaw, Poland during a 40-day winter period. The samples were sequentially extracted into four different fractions: water soluble (F1), reducible (F2), oxidizable (F3) and residual fraction (F4) for the chemical fractionation of 8 elements: As, Cd, K, Mn, Pb, Sb, Ti and Zn, and further analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in each fraction. The average PM2.5 mass concentration of 31.81 μg/m3 (±19.73 μg/m3) was exceeding daily WHO air quality guideline, while concentrations rose up to 50–70 μg/m3 during episode days. Total concentrations of all analyzed elements were higher during the episode periods, with the highest increases for K, Pb (2 times) and Cd (1.7 times). All elements exhibited high bioavailability, as well as very high (K, Ti, Zn) and high (As, Cd, Mn, Pb, Sb) risk assessment code, with both features rising in episodic days up to 20% and more than 60%, respectively. Cancer risk for adults resulted from inhalation exposure to the most bioavailable fractions (F1 and F2) of human carcinogen As. It was higher than the precautionary criterion (1 · 10−6) and increased during the days with elevated PM2.5 levels.

ACS Style

Katarzyna Juda-Rezler; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Magdalena Reizer; Katarzyna Maciejewska; Eliza Kurek; Ewa Bulska; Krzysztof Klejnowski. Bioavailability of elements in atmospheric PM2.5 during winter episodes at Central Eastern European urban background site. Atmospheric Environment 2020, 245, 117993 .

AMA Style

Katarzyna Juda-Rezler, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Magdalena Reizer, Katarzyna Maciejewska, Eliza Kurek, Ewa Bulska, Krzysztof Klejnowski. Bioavailability of elements in atmospheric PM2.5 during winter episodes at Central Eastern European urban background site. Atmospheric Environment. 2020; 245 ():117993.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Katarzyna Juda-Rezler; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Magdalena Reizer; Katarzyna Maciejewska; Eliza Kurek; Ewa Bulska; Krzysztof Klejnowski. 2020. "Bioavailability of elements in atmospheric PM2.5 during winter episodes at Central Eastern European urban background site." Atmospheric Environment 245, no. : 117993.

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.

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.

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: 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.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2015 in Atmospheric Pollution Research
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The amount of the soluble fraction of trace elements released from inhaled particulate matter seems to be one of the key factors of the toxicity of these particles. This study reports the concentrations of PM10 and trace elements in total and water-soluble fractions (bioavailable form). Weekly samples were collected at two rural sites in Upper Silesia, Poland. Measurements were carried out from April to August 2013, divided between heating and non-heating sessions. During heating sessions, the concentrations of PM10 in selected sites varied in the range of 32.88–48.70 μg m−3, while for the non-heating sessions the range was 16.14–27.89 μg m−3. Selected PM10 samples (characteristic for both sessions) were determined by means of total and water-soluble content of eight trace elements. The elements are characteristic of carcinogenic (As, Cr, Cd and Ni), probably carcinogenic (Co and Pb) and toxic (Mn and Sb) groups. The analyses of the mineralized samples as well as the water-soluble fractions were carried out by ICP-MS method using a Varian 810 MS. The total concentration of carcinogenic Cd, Cr and Ni during non-heating sessions was 2.81, 7.97 and 4.82 ng m−3, respectively. While during heating sessions the total content was twice as high. Similar relation was observed for the concentration of PM10. The concentration of the soluble fraction of these elements in the atmospheric air in heating sessions was 1.62, 0.75, 2.20, 1.79, 1.85 ng m−3 for As, Cr, Pb, Mn, Sb, respectively and remained almost the same as in non-heating sessions. Lower levels of Ni and Cd (0.15 and 0.11 ng m−3) were determined during heating sessions. The obtained data indicate that during heating periods these elements are probable present mainly in other fractions with lower mobility, so less harmful to human health.

ACS Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Anna Mainka; Zygmunt Korban; Józef S. Pastuszka. Evaluation of highly mobile fraction of trace elements in PM10 collected in Upper Silesia (Poland): Preliminary results. Atmospheric Pollution Research 2015, 6, 961 -968.

AMA Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Anna Mainka, Zygmunt Korban, Józef S. Pastuszka. Evaluation of highly mobile fraction of trace elements in PM10 collected in Upper Silesia (Poland): Preliminary results. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 2015; 6 (6):961-968.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Anna Mainka; Zygmunt Korban; Józef S. Pastuszka. 2015. "Evaluation of highly mobile fraction of trace elements in PM10 collected in Upper Silesia (Poland): Preliminary results." Atmospheric Pollution Research 6, no. 6: 961-968.

Comparative study
Published: 16 October 2015 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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This study reports the concentrations of PM1 trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se) content in highly mobile (F1), mobile (F2), less mobile (F3) and not mobile (F4) fractions in samples that were collected in the surroundings of power plants in southern Poland. It also reports source identification by enrichment factors (EF) and a principal component analysis (PCA). There is limited availability of scientific data concerning the chemical composition of dust, including fractionation analyses of trace elements, in the surroundings of power plants. The present study offers important results in order to fill this data gap. The data collected in this study can be utilized to validate air quality models in this rapidly developing area. They are also crucial for comparisons with datasets from similar areas all over the world. Moreover, the identification of the bioavailability of selected carcinogenic and toxic elements in the future might be used as output data for potential biological and population research on risk assessment. This is important in the context of air pollution being hazardous to human health.

ACS Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Konrad Kaczmarek; Anna Mainka. Trace Elements Speciation of Submicron Particulate Matter (PM1) Collected in the Surroundings of Power Plants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2015, 12, 13085 -13103.

AMA Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Konrad Kaczmarek, Anna Mainka. Trace Elements Speciation of Submicron Particulate Matter (PM1) Collected in the Surroundings of Power Plants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12 (10):13085-13103.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Konrad Kaczmarek; Anna Mainka. 2015. "Trace Elements Speciation of Submicron Particulate Matter (PM1) Collected in the Surroundings of Power Plants." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12, no. 10: 13085-13103.

Journal article
Published: 14 July 2015 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Indoor air quality (IAQ) 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. Among air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is of the greatest interest mainly due to its strong association with acute and chronic effects on children’s health. In this paper, we present concentrations of PM2.5 and the composition of its trace elements at naturally ventilated nursery schools located in the area of Gliwice, Poland. The nursery schools were selected to characterize areas with different degrees of urbanization and traffic densities during the winter and spring seasons. The results indicate there is a problem with elevated concentrations of PM2.5 inside the examined classrooms. The children’s exposure to trace elements was different based on localization and season. PM2.5 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 the identification of the three components: anthropogenic and geogenic sources (37.2%), soil dust contaminated by sewage sludge dumping (18.6%) and vehicular emissions (19.5%).

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Konrad Kaczmarek. PM2.5 in Urban and Rural Nursery Schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Trace Elements Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2015, 12, 7990 -8008.

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Konrad Kaczmarek. PM2.5 in Urban and Rural Nursery Schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Trace Elements Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12 (7):7990-8008.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Konrad Kaczmarek. 2015. "PM2.5 in Urban and Rural Nursery Schools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Trace Elements Analysis." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12, no. 7: 7990-8008.

Journal article
Published: 08 July 2015 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Indoor air quality (IAQ) in preschools is an important public health challenge. Particular attention should be paid to younger children, because they are more vulnerable to air pollution than higher grade children and because they spend more time indoors. Among air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is of the greatest interest mainly due to its acute and chronic effects on children’s health. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels indicate ventilation conditions. In this paper, we present the concentrations of PM (PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and total—TSP) and CO2 monitored in four naturally ventilated nursery schools located in the area of Gliwice, Poland. The nursery schools were selected to characterize areas with different degrees of urbanization and traffic densities during the winter season. The results indicate the problem of elevated concentrations of PM inside the examined classrooms, as well as that of high levels of CO2 exceeding 1000 ppm in relation to outdoor air. The characteristics of IAQ were significantly different, both in terms of classroom occupation (younger or older children) and of localization (urban or rural). To evaluate the children’s exposure to poor IAQ, indicators based on air quality guidelines were proposed to rank classrooms according to their hazard on the health of children.

ACS Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Indoor Air Quality in Urban and Rural Preschools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2015, 12, 7697 -7711.

AMA Style

Anna Mainka, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Indoor Air Quality in Urban and Rural Preschools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12 (7):7697-7711.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Mainka; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. 2015. "Indoor Air Quality in Urban and Rural Preschools in Upper Silesia, Poland: Particulate Matter and Carbon Dioxide." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12, no. 7: 7697-7711.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2014 in Archives of Environmental Protection
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Samples of steam coal used in heat and power plants as well as densimetric fractions obtained on a laboratory scale by dense organic liquid separation have been examined. The contents of ash, mercury, chromium, cadmium, copper, nickel and lead have been determined in coal, in the light and medium fraction as well as in the refuse. The degree of removal of mineral matter and the examined heavy metals as well as the coal combustible parts yield have been determined. Examination of 5 coals revealed that it is possible to remove 41% of mercury and more than 35% of other heavy metals bound to mineral matter in coal.

ACS Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Jan Konieczyński. Coal Cleaning Versus the Reduction of Mercury and other Trace Elements’ Emissions from Coal Combustion Processes. Archives of Environmental Protection 2014, 40, 115 -127.

AMA Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Jan Konieczyński. Coal Cleaning Versus the Reduction of Mercury and other Trace Elements’ Emissions from Coal Combustion Processes. Archives of Environmental Protection. 2014; 40 (1):115-127.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Jan Konieczyński. 2014. "Coal Cleaning Versus the Reduction of Mercury and other Trace Elements’ Emissions from Coal Combustion Processes." Archives of Environmental Protection 40, no. 1: 115-127.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2012 in The Scientific World Journal
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In order to assess the penetration of individual trace elements into the air through their release in the coal coking process, it is necessary to determine the loss of these elements by comparing their contents in the charge coal and in coke obtained. The present research covered four coke oven batteries differing in age, technology, and technical equipment. By using mercury analyzer MA-2 and the method of ICP MS As, Be, Cd, Co, Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn were determined in samples of charge coal and yielded coke. Basing on the analyses results, the release coefficients of selected elements were determined. Their values ranged from 0.5 to 94%. High volatility of cadmium, mercury, and thallium was confirmed. The tests have shown that although the results refer to the selected case studies, it may be concluded that the air purity is affected by controlled emission occurring when coke oven batteries are fired by crude coke oven gas. Fugitive emission of the trace elements investigated, occurring due to coke oven leaks and openings, is small and, is not a real threat to the environment except mercury.

ACS Style

Jan Konieczyński; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Magdalena Jabłońska. The Release of Trace Elements in the Process of Coal Coking. The Scientific World Journal 2012, 2012, 1 -8.

AMA Style

Jan Konieczyński, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Magdalena Jabłońska. The Release of Trace Elements in the Process of Coal Coking. The Scientific World Journal. 2012; 2012 ():1-8.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jan Konieczyński; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Magdalena Jabłońska. 2012. "The Release of Trace Elements in the Process of Coal Coking." The Scientific World Journal 2012, no. : 1-8.

Journal article
Published: 16 September 2009 in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
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The concentrations of seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb) associated with PM10 and PM2.5 at the crossroads and the background sites have been studied in Zabrze, Poland, during smog episodes. Although the background level was unusually elevated due to both high particulate emission from the industrial and municipal sources and smog favorable meteorological conditions, significant increase of the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 as well as associated heavy metals in the roadside air compared to the urban background has been documented. The average daily difference between the roadside and corresponding urban background aerosol concentration was equal to 39.5 μg m − 3 for PM10 and 41.2 μg m − 3 for PM2.5. The highest levels of the studied metals in Zabrze appeared for iron carried by PM10 particles: 1,706 (background) and 28,557 ng m − 3 (crossroads). The lowest concentration level (in PM10) has been found for cadmium: 7 and 77 ng m − 3 in the background and crossroads site, respectively. Also the concentrations of heavy metals carried by the fine particles (PM2.5) were very high in Zabrze during the smog episodes. Concentrations of all studied metals associated with PM10 increased at the roadside compared to the background about ten times (one order) while metals contained in PM2.5 showed two to three times elevated concentrations (except Fe—five times and Cr—no increase).

ACS Style

Jozef S. Pastuszka; Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 and associated heavy metals at the crossroads and urban background site in Zabrze, Upper Silesia, Poland, during the smog episodes. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2009, 168, 613 -627.

AMA Style

Jozef S. Pastuszka, Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska, Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 and associated heavy metals at the crossroads and urban background site in Zabrze, Upper Silesia, Poland, during the smog episodes. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2009; 168 (1):613-627.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jozef S. Pastuszka; Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska; Elwira Zajusz-Zubek. 2009. "Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 and associated heavy metals at the crossroads and urban background site in Zabrze, Upper Silesia, Poland, during the smog episodes." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 168, no. 1: 613-627.

Journal article
Published: 31 July 2003 in Fuel
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Samples of coal and solid carbonization product obtained at four temperatures: 400, 600, 850 and 1000 °C were tested on account of the contents of trace elements. The following hazardous trace elements were considered: arsenic, beryl, cadmium, manganese, nickel, lead, mercury and selenium. The release curves for the elements tested were determined.

ACS Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Jan Konieczyński. Dynamics of trace elements release in a coal pyrolysis process☆. Fuel 2003, 82, 1281 -1290.

AMA Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Jan Konieczyński. Dynamics of trace elements release in a coal pyrolysis process☆. Fuel. 2003; 82 (10):1281-1290.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek; Jan Konieczyński. 2003. "Dynamics of trace elements release in a coal pyrolysis process☆." Fuel 82, no. 10: 1281-1290.