Department of Mineralogy, Petrography and Geochemistry, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059, Kraków, Poland.
Bochnia Salt Mine, ul. Campi 15, 32-700, Bochnia, Poland.
Environ Geochem Health. 2021 Sep;43(9):3533-3556. doi: 10.1007/s10653-021-00832-2. Epub 2021 Feb 11.
The composition and distribution of airborne particles in different locations in a salt mine were determined in terms of their origin, the distance from the air inlet, and the adaptation of post-mining chambers and corridors for tourists and general audience. The composition of aerosols in air was also evaluated from the perspective of human health. Air samples were collected on filters by using portable air pumps, in a historical underground salt mine in Bochnia (Poland), which is currently a touristic and recreation attraction and sanatorium. The particulate matter (PM) concentration was determined using the gravimetric method by weighing quartz filters. The content of carbon, water-soluble constituents, trace elements, and minerals was also determined. A genetic classification of the suspended matter was proposed and comprised three groups: geogenic (fragments of rock salt and associated minerals from the deposit), anthropogenic (carbon-bearing particles from tourist traffic and small amounts of fly ash, soot, and rust), and biogenic particles (occasional pollen). The total PM concentration in air varied between 21 and 79 μg/m (with PM constituting 4-24 μg/m). The amount of atmospheric dust components coming from the surface was low and decreased with the distance from the intake shaft, thus indicating the self-cleaning process. NaCl dominated the water-soluble constituents, while Fe, Al, Ag, Mn, and Zn dominated the trace elements, with the concentration of majority of them below 30 ng/m. These metals are released into air from both natural sources and the wear or/and corrosion of mining and tourists facilities in the underground functional space. No potentially toxic elements or constituents were detected. The presence of salt particles and salty spray in the atmosphere of salt mine, which may have anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties, is beneficial to human health. This study will allow for a broader look at the potential of halotherapy in underground salt mines from a medical and regulatory point of view.
在博赫尼亚（波兰）的一座历史悠久的地下盐矿中，我们从起源、与进气口的距离以及对游客和普通大众的后采矿室和走廊的适应等方面，确定了不同位置空气中的悬浮颗粒的组成和分布。我们还从人类健康的角度评估了空气中气溶胶的组成。在博赫尼亚（波兰）的一座历史悠久的地下盐矿中，使用便携式气泵在空气过滤器上收集空气样本，该盐矿目前是旅游和休闲胜地以及疗养院。通过称重石英过滤器，使用重量法确定了颗粒物（PM）的浓度。还确定了碳、水溶性成分、微量元素和矿物质的含量。提出了悬浮物质的遗传分类，包括三个组：地质成因（来自矿床的岩盐碎片和相关矿物）、人为成因（来自游客交通的含碳颗粒和少量飞灰、烟尘和铁锈）和生物成因颗粒（偶尔的花粉）。空气中的总 PM 浓度在 21 到 79μg/m 之间（PM 构成 4-24μg/m）。来自地面的大气灰尘成分数量较少，并且随着与进气口的距离的增加而减少，这表明存在自清洁过程。NaCl 主导水溶性成分，而 Fe、Al、Ag、Mn 和 Zn 主导微量元素，它们的大部分浓度都低于 30ng/m。这些金属既可以从天然来源，也可以从采矿和游客设施在地下功能空间中的磨损或/和腐蚀中释放到空气中。没有检测到潜在的有毒元素或成分。在盐矿大气中存在盐颗粒和咸喷雾，这可能具有抗炎和抗过敏的特性，对人类健康有益。这项研究将从医学和监管的角度更广泛地研究地下盐矿中的盐疗潜力。
