Introduction: Legionella pneumophila is the primary etiological agent of Legionnaires’ disease. These are opportunistic pathogens causing lung infections by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Controlling the presence of these bacteria in domestic distribution water systems (mainly hot...

Introduction and objective: Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds and hot springs. Legionella infection occurs through the inhalation of water-air aerosol generated, for example, by showers or hot tubs. The most common species...

Introduction and objective: The use of Escherichia coli and enterococci as indicators of the presence of pathogenic viruses or parasitic protozoa is limited. In order to increase the control of enteric pathogens in drinking water, Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the...

The objective of this study was to evaluate selected analytical procedures based on EN ISO 10705-2:2001 and EN ISO 10705-3:2024 for the determination of somatic coliphages in 100 mL water samples, taking into account the requirements of Directive (EU) 2020/2184, and to identify a procedure that can be adapted for routine analyses, as well as points at which laboratories may encounter difficulties. The study was conducted on two types of water samples: Type 1, comprising groundwater and treated water, and Type 2, comprising surface water. Samples were collected from water treatment plants at the point of distribution network supply (treated water), deep well intakes, and surface intakes (raw water). The study demonstrated the limited reliability of the procedure when applied to routine analyses. The recovery obtained for the method incorporating the selected modifications under the tested conditions was 72% for Type 1 water samples and 73% for Type 2 water samples. The introduction of legal regulations on the quality of water intended for human consumption, along with the requirement to test a new parameter for operational purposes, can pose a significant challenge for laboratories performing water analyses.

The frequency of respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to water aerosol was evaluated along with the preliminary assessment of microbiological contamination of air and water used in glass processing plants. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 131 workers from 9 glass processing plants. Questions focused on working conditions, respiratory symptoms and smoking habits. A pilot study of air and water microbiological contamination in one glass processing plant was performed. Water samples were tested for Legionella in accordance with EN ISO 11731-2:2008 and for total colony count according to PN-EN ISO 6222:2004. Air samples were tested for total numbers of molds and mildews. During the year preceding the survey acute respiratory symptoms occurred in 28.2% of participants, while chronic symptoms were reported by 29% of respondents. Increased risks of cough and acute symptoms suggestive of pneumonia were found among the respondents working at a distance up to 20 m from the source of water aerosol compared to other workers (OR = 2.7), with no difference in the frequency of other symptoms. A microbiological analysis of water samples from selected glass plant revealed the presence of L. pneumophila, exceeding 1000 cfu/100 ml. The number of bacteria and fungi detected in air samples (above 1000 cfu/m3) suggested that water aerosol at workplaces can be one of the sources of the air microbial contamination. The questionnaire survey revealed an increased risk of cough and acute symptoms suggestive of pneumonia in the group working at a shortest distance form the source of water aerosol.

Balneotherapy, utilising natural medicinal waters, gases, and peloids, is a clinically effective method for complementing the treatment of various medical conditions. One specific type of balneotherapy is crenotherapy, which involves the oral administration of natural medicinal waters. This study aimed to assess the impact of storage time on the stability of the chemical composition and microbiological quality of bottled natural medicinal waters, as well as to assess the feasibility of using packaged natural medicinal waters at home to prolong the effect post-sanatorium treatment, as recommended by the chief physician responsible for health resorts. Fourteen bottled medicinal waters sourced from seven Polish health resorts were analysed. The study examined the following samples: one HCO3-Cl-Na-Ca, four HCO3-Cl-Na, one HCO3-Mg-Na-Ca, two HCO3-Na-Ca, two HCO3-Ca, two HCO3-Na and two Cl-Na waters. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters were measured at the following times: t0 (immediately after packaging), t1 (midway through the declared shelf life) and t2 (at the end of the shelf life). Physicochemical analysis of the medicinal waters demonstrated the stability of the chemical composition in terms of basic minerals and physicochemical parameters over the product’s shelf life, as defined by the manufacturer. Faecal indicator bacteria or Pseudomonas aeruginosa were absent in all of the samples tested. However, coliform bacteria, potentially of biofilm origin, were detected in one sample. An initially high number of microorganisms, determined at 22°C, observed in three water samples, was no longer detected at the final testing stage. The findings indicate that the medicinal waters analysed maintain stability in chemical composition, organoleptic parameters and microbiological purity throughout the manufacturer’s specified shelf life.