The role of open-air inhalatoria in the air quality improvement in spa towns

Objectives: The present study was aimed at evaluating microbiological contamination of air in Ciechocinek and Ino­wro­cław – Polish lowland spa towns. Additionally, the impact of open-air inhalatoria on the quality of air was evaluated. Material and Methods: Air samples were collected seasonally in the urban areas, in the recreation areas and in the vicinity of inhalatoria in both towns using impaction. The numbers of mesophilic bacteria, staphylococci, hemolytic bacteria and actinomycetes were determined on media according to the Polish Standard PN-86/Z-04111/02. The number of moulds was determined on media according to the Polish Standard PN-86/Z-04111/03. Results: While the highest numbers of microorganisms were noted at the sites located in the urban areas, the lowest numbers were noted in the vicinity of the open-air inhalatoria. In all the investigated air samples the values of bioaerosol concentrations were below the recommended TLVs (≤ 5000 CFU×m–3 for both bacteria and fungi in outdoor environments). Location of the sampling site was invariably a decisive factor in determining the number of microorganisms in the air. Conclusions: The aerosol which is formed in the open-air inhalatoria has a positive influence on microbiological air quality. Owing to a unique microclimate and low air contamination, Ciechocinek and Inowrocław comply with all necessary requirements set for health resorts specializing in treating upper respiratory tract infections

Climate and human's health

In the paper authors discuss relations between climate elements and human's health. The climate impacts are considered from three points of view: meteoropathology, influences of specific meteorological elements on various health disturbances as well as climate related mortality. We have found that the most important climate elements that influence human's health are air temperature and biothermal conditions formed in particular weather situations. Those two climate components are the external, environmental factors in pathology of circulatory, respiratory, digestive and thermoregulatory systems. Thus, all the relations are reported in the light of predicted changes in climate in XXI century that will be manifested by significant increase in air temperature. However, also changes in another climate elements as solar radiation and precipitation and their possible influence on human health are discussed as well