LAPSE:2023.28400
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.28400
Microbiological Contamination of Brine Feeding a Closed-Cycle Graduation Tower and Its Potential Human Exposure
Stanisław Bodziacki, Katarzyna Wolny-Koładka
April 11, 2023
Given the growing interest among residents of large agglomerations in inhalation treatments in urban graduation towers, as well as the lack of research on the microbiological safety of brine, an attempt was made to provide new and unique information on the potential epidemiological risks that may occur in such places. The study covered one of Krakow’s brine graduation towers, opened in 2020, attracting crowds of city residents and tourists every spring/summer season. Based on a two-year microbiological study of brine, which included analysis of the presence of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria in it, as well as indicators of microbiological water quality, i.e., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus spp., and Salmonella spp., it was concluded that contamination increased periodically. According to standards for inhalation waters, acceptable counts of selected microorganisms were exceeded, especially during the holiday season. It was, undoubtedly, related to weather conditions conducive to outdoor inhalation treatments, and thus the large number of heath resort visitors present near the graduation tower. Despite the fact that our study provides epidemiologically disturbing results, it is extremely valuable because it constitutes a starting point for discussion of the health safety of urban graduation towers. The study is also an opportunity to take measures to improve the microbiological quality of the brine in the closed cycle of graduation towers.
Keywords
closed-cycle graduation tower, indicator microorganisms, microbiological quality of brine
Subject
Suggested Citation
Bodziacki S, Wolny-Koładka K. Microbiological Contamination of Brine Feeding a Closed-Cycle Graduation Tower and Its Potential Human Exposure. (2023). LAPSE:2023.28400
Author Affiliations
Bodziacki S: Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Wolny-Koładka K: Department of Microbiology and Biomonitoring, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland [ORCID]
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
11
Issue
3
First Page
966
Year
2023
Publication Date
2023-03-22
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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Original Submission
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PII: pr11030966, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.28400
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doi:10.3390/pr11030966
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Apr 11, 2023
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CC BY 4.0
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Apr 11, 2023
 
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