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The aim of this study was to assess fungal air contamination in the processes associated with poultry breeding depending on the season. The evaluation was based on the determined concentrations of fungi and qualitative identification of isolated microorganisms.The study covered 2 hatcheries and 3 hen buildings. The air was sampled in spring, summer and autumn directly onto a filter using air aspirator. For the quantitative analysis of fungi, the medium MEA with chloramphenicol and streptomycin was used. The qualitative identification of fungi was carried out based on macro- and microscopic analysis.The concentrations of total airborne mesophilic fungi in breeding facilities ranged from 1.22 x 10(3) to 5.87 x 10(5) cfu/m3 with the arithmetic mean value 1.60 x 10(5) cfu/m5. In 45% of the taken samples, these levels exceeded the reference value recommended in Poland for occupational environment exposure. The fungi concentration in the air of poultry houses was significantly modified by season (p = 0.04). A higher concentration of fungi occurred in autumn (p = 0.05). The dominant fungal microflora in the air was composed of molds (88%), with the most prevalent genus Acremonium. Yeasts constituted another 10% of bioaerosol and were mainly represented by genus Candida. The fungal aerosol contained two species qualified to the 2 group of risk--Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida tropicalis.Facilities of poultry farms are contaminated with high concentrations of fungal aerosols, especially in a colder season, often exceeding the recommended limits. Among the fungi, there are also present pathogenic microorganisms that may pose a risk to farm workers' health.

Emissions of harmful agents, inherent in the intensive production of pigs, create an important problem concerning the protection of workers' health. Concentration of many animals on relatively small areas contributes to high air contaminations inside swine confinement buildings. They are mostly induced by bioaerosols, such as organic dust, microorganisms, endotoxins, glucans and irritant gases. In view of the health care and safety of people employed in animal farming, it is crucial to conduct research involving a comprehensive evaluation of exposure to occupational hazards, indicating their level determinants and increasing the scientific information on dose-response relations. This article presents the review of the literature on the process of pig farming in Poland, including legislation, occupational hygiene and potential risk for the health of animal-handling workers.

In this paper the exposure assessment to airborne biohazards (organic dust, microorganisms, endotoxins and ((1 --3)-beta-D-glucans) as well as to ammonia and hydrogen sulfide among CAFO (swine farms) workers is presented.Occupational exposure assessment was carried out on 30 swine farms. Personal dosimetry was carried out among 90 swine farm workers to assess the exposure to organic dust, endotoxins and glucans. Concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were measured using Draeger pipes. Endotoxins were assayed with the LAL test in a kinetic, chromogenic version and ((1 --3)-beta-D-glucans with the Glucatell test in a kinetic version.Concentrations of inhalable dust ranged from 0.16 to 37.2 mg/m3, with AM = 3.65 mg/m3, whereas AM for respirable fraction was 0.39 mg/m3 with the range from zero to 4.28 mg/m3. Mean concentration of culturable bacteria was 4.79 x 10 (5) jtk/m3, and fungi concentration was ten times lower - 1.55 x 10(4) jtk/m3. Exposure to endotoxins with high degree of differentiation ranged from 95 to 147 885 EU/m3 in inhalable and from 5.5 to 18 708 EU/m3 in respirable fractions. Glucan concentrations ranged from 6 to5200 ng/m3 in unhalable and from 1 to 800 ng/m3 in respirable fraction. Ammonia concentrations in the workplace air ranged from 1.78 mg/m3 (2.50 ppm) to 30.1 mg/m3 (42.4 ppm). Hydrogen sulfide did not exceed the level of 4.1 mg/m3.Work conditions found in CAFOs may induce adverse effects on workers' respiratory system and should be considered as an important harmful agent. The protection of workers respiratory airways should be recommended.

The aim of the study was to assess the occupational exposure to mesophilic microorganisms associated with commercial processing of compost for mushroom production.The air samples for microbiological analysis were collected directly on Petri dishes with Malt Extract Agar medium using Burkard Air Sampler. The quantitative and qualitative identification of mesophilic bacteria and mesophilic fungi were performed using the standard microbiological procedures.Considerable variation in exposure to bioaerosols within the sectors of compost production were observed. The highest level of mesophilic bacteria in the air (4.17 x 10(4) cfu/m3) was measured during the mixing of raw materials with water and loading of the final compost piles to the pasteurization tunnels (3.54 x 10(4) cfu/m3). The highest concentration of mesophilic fungi was found in the air samples collected during the manual unrolling of straw (1.62 x 10(4) cfu/m3) and dosing of mycelium to the compost (1.15 x 10(4) cfu/m3). Among 33 identified bacteria and fungi species, Pasteurella sp, Proteus mirabilis, Streptomyces sp, Corynebacterium sp and Aspergillusfumigatus create the potential risk for health of exposed workers.The presence of microorganisms found in the air creats the potential risk for human health, therefore the use of personal equipment, protecting the respiratory tract and skin of exposed workers is strongly recommended.

The aim of the study was to quantitatively and qualitatively identify moulds occurring in the air of selected office rooms.The study was conducted in the wintertime inside four office rooms with moisture trace and one control room. To assess mycological contamination of the air, triple samples were directly collected on Petri dishes (Malt Extract Agar medium) using a Burkard air sampler. Qualitative evaluation of moulds was based on the microscopic view and morphological features of colonies.Total number of moulds determined in the air of office rooms did not exceed the level of 4 x 10(2) cfu/m3. The highest concentration of moulds (3.44 x 10(2) cfu/m3) was found in the room that was also used as an archive. It was over tenfold higher than in the control room (0.33 x 10(2) cfu/m3). The qualitative analysis of moulds showed the presence of 15 species. Some of them, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus ochraceus, Cladosporium spp., Penicillium spp. and Alternaria spp., are recognized as potential health hazards to workers due to the production of mycotoxins and allergic reactions.The archive was the only room, where concentration of moulds slightly exceeded the reference value. To protect the health of workers who perform their duties in this place, the documents, which are an ideal place of mould growth, should be moved to a separate room. Respiratory complaints reported by workers could be associated with concentrations and species of moulds found in the office rooms under study.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate exposure to bioaerosols among sewer workers.The study was carried out in the summertime, based on the standard PN-EN 13098. Air samples were collected on gelatine filters at three stationary sites: inside the sewer, next to the sewer manhole during under pressure cleaning and at effluent discharge point. In collected samples the qualitative and quantitative analysis of bacteria and fungi were performed.Bacteria and fungi concentrations were at low levels. The highest concentration of bacteria (about 5.0 x 10(2) cfu/m3) was found inside the sewer and of fungi (about 1.0 x 10(2) cfu/m3) at effluent discharge point. Among all determined microorganisms Gram-positive bacteria were predominated, especially Staphylococcus lentus. Others bacteria there were also found, like rod-shaped of the genus Bacillus and Enterococcus faecalis. The diversification of Gram-negative bacteria was small. Among fungi there were determined representatives of two genera Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., including species Aspergillus fumigatus.According to the law in force among all determined microorganisms only bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (Enterococcus spp.) and mould Aspergillus fumigatus are classified as harmful biological agents (occupational risk group 2). It is suggested using by employees personal protective equipment, especially for respiratory airways and skin protection and also keeping the rules of individual hygiene.

The aim of the study was to assess the microbiological air quality at the selected municipal waste landfills.The study was conducted during the summer at two municipal landfills. Air samples were collected on agar plates. The evaluation was based on the concentration levels of airborne bacteria and fungi and the identification of isolated strains.The total number of bacteria and fungi did not exceed the level of 10(3) cfu/m3. The highest concentrations of bacteria in air were observed during unloading, disposing and compacting of municipal wastes (landfill 1 - 6,1 x 10(3) cfu/ml, landfill 2 - 5,4 x 10(2) cfu/m3). The highest concentrations of fungi in air were observed at filled up parts of the landfills (landfill 1 - 4,8 x 10(2) cfu/m3, landfill 2 - 1,2 x 10(3) cfu/m3). The qualitative analysis of the air samples indicated the presence of 21 bacterial and fungi. Among of them bacteria Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus mirabilis and fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans are classified as harmful biological agents.The total number of bacteria and fungi in air samples collected at the selected municipal waste landfills did not exceed the reference values. The concentration levels of bioaerosols are diversified according to the size of the landfill, the total number of accumulated wastes and the level of area usage. It is suggested using by municipal waste workers personal protective equipment, especially for respiratory airways and skin and also keeping the rules of individual hygiene.

Among numerous factors typical of occupations in agriculture, pesticides occupy a specific place. Their hazardous effects may be manifested among others by reproductive disorders. Therefore, it is very important to know what kind of pesticides is used in both agriculture and greenhouses. The aim of the study was to review the kinds and amounts of pesticides used in agriculture and greenhouses. The review was performed in the Kujawsko-pomorskie voivoship and on 14 horticulture farms. Their selection was based on the register of the Polish Horticulture Chamber. The pesticides were classified into two groups: those containing reproductive and/or developmental toxins (RD) and those acting as endocrine disrupters (ED). The majority of pesticides used in agriculture and horticulture belong to one of those groups. The results of the review suggest that the awareness of potential adverse effects of pesticides on fertility and pregnancy outcome should be increased among workers occupationally exposed to pesticides.

Characteristics of jobs and workers engaged in the collection and disposal of waste was based on a specially developed questionnaire. Five occupational groups were selected: domestic waste collectors, waste relading workers, waste composting workers, waste sorting workers, workers at landfill sites. In addition, five job posts were selected: heavy equipment operators, waste sites workers, waste loaders, waste sorters and waste truck drivers. The analysis of characteristics revealed that among job-related burdens reported by the workers the following were found most noxious: repugnant odour, high dust concentrations, required physical effort and changing atmospheric conditions. Nevertheless, the workers in question did not claim any occupation-related illnesses or symptoms. The majority of respondents assessed their health as good or very good.

Uncontrolled industrial waste sites are potential sources of unplanned release of hazardous substances into the environment. According to the reports of the State Inspectorate for Environment Protection (PIOS), 60% of hazardous waste sites registered in Poland create potential or real threat to public health and the environment. hazardous substances migrating off the site can spread and affect the environmental media: ground water, surface water, air, soil, biota. They can also enter the human body. As a result of research studies aimed at identifying the hazard and assessing health effects posed by hazardous waste sites in the United States, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has identified seven groups of health effects most common among populations living in the vicinity of waste sites. These are: birth defects, cancer, immune function disorders, kidney and liver dysfunction, lung and respiratory diseases and neurotoxic disorders. However, the evidence based on exposure-effect relationship is not generally very strong. Most of the studies lack sufficiently accurate exposure assessment.

The aim of the study as to assess the influence of the physiological aging process on the platelet cell metabolism in middle-aged people. A group of 17 healthy women (aged 47-59 years), and a group of healthy men (aged 45-60 years) were examined. The control group was composed of healthy women aged 19-25 years, and healthy men aged 19-27 years. The activity of hyperoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and the concentration of malonyldialdehyde were determined in platelets. In comparison to the control group, a significant decrease in the activity of hyperoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase as well as an enhanced concentration of malonyldialdehyde were observed in the group studied. Moreover, a diminished catalase activity was noted in platelets of men, while in women there were no significant changes. The study indicated that disorders in the function of thrombocytes, an excessive generation of oxygen free radicals, and impaired mechanisms of cellular antioxidative defence accelerate atherosclerosis and aging process. Therefore, it is necessary to cover middle-aged people, particularly those occupationally exposed to factors affecting defence mechanisms, with adequate preventive programmes.