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Properties of Particulate Matter in the Air of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Related Health Benefits for Tourists

Author

Listed:
  • Karolina Bralewska

    (Safety Engineering Institute, The Main School of Fire Service, Slowackiego Street, 52/54, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska

    (Safety Engineering Institute, The Main School of Fire Service, Slowackiego Street, 52/54, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Dominika Mucha

    (Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska Street, 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Artur Jerzy Badyda

    (Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska Street, 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Magdalena Kostrzon

    (Wieliczka Salt Mine Health Resort, Park Kingi Street, 1, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland)

  • Adrian Bralewski

    (Faculty of Safety Engineering and Civil Protection, The Main School of Fire Service, Slowackiego Street, 52/54, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Stanisław Biedugnis

    (Safety Engineering Institute, The Main School of Fire Service, Slowackiego Street, 52/54, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the mass concentration of size-resolved (PM 1 , PM 2.5 , PM 4 , PM 10 , PM 100 ) particulate matter (PM) in the Wieliczka Salt Mine located in southern Poland, compare them with the concentrations of the same PM fractions in the atmospheric air, and estimate the dose of dry salt aerosol inhaled by the mine visitors. Measurements were conducted for 2 h a day, simultaneously inside (tourist route, passage to the health resort, health resort) and outside the mine (duty-room), for three days in the summer of 2017 using DustTrak DRX devices (optical method). The highest average PM concentrations were recorded on the tourist route (54–81 µg/m 3 ), while the lowest was in the passage to the health resort (49–62 µg/m 3 ). At the same time, the mean outdoor PM concentrations were 14–20 µg/m 3 . Fine particles constituting the majority of PM mass (68–80%) in the mine originated from internal sources, while the presence of coarse particles was associated with tourist traffic. High PM deposition factors in the respiratory tract of children and adults estimated for particular mine chambers (0.58–0.70), the predominance of respirable particles in PM mass, and the high content of NaCl in PM composition indicate high health benefits for mine visitors.

Suggested Citation

  • Karolina Bralewska & Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska & Dominika Mucha & Artur Jerzy Badyda & Magdalena Kostrzon & Adrian Bralewski & Stanisław Biedugnis, 2022. "Properties of Particulate Matter in the Air of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Related Health Benefits for Tourists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:826-:d:723145
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Izabela Sówka & Anna Chlebowska-Styś & Łukasz Pachurka & Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska & Barbara Mathews, 2019. "Analysis of Particulate Matter Concentration Variability and Origin in Selected Urban Areas in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska & Grzegorz Majewski & Barbara Błaszczak & Krzysztof Klejnowski & Patrycja Rogula-Kopiec, 2016. "Origin-Oriented Elemental Profile of Fine Ambient Particulate Matter in Central European Suburban Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-23, July.
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    1. Patrycja Rogula-Kopiec & Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska & Grzegorz Majewski, 2022. "Particulate Matter Concentration in Selected Facilities as an Indicator of Exposure to Their Service Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Sylwia Mętel & Magdalena Kostrzon & Justyna Adamiak, 2022. "Dynamic Balance and Chest Mobility of Older Adults after Speleotherapy Combined with Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Endurance and Strength Training—A Prospective Study in Chronic Respiratory Diseases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka & Marcin Szumny & Krzysztof Fuławka & Izabela Jaśkiewicz-Proć & Katarzyna Pactwa & Aleksandra Kozłowska-Woszczycka & Jari Joutsenvaara & Päivi Aro, 2023. "Challenges Related to the Transformation of Post-Mining Underground Workings into Underground Laboratories," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-14, June.

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