Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM
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Grass pollens are known as very potent aeroallergens. The aim of the study was to analyse the grass pollen season in Szczecin (western Poland) in the years 2000-2003 and to establish a relationship between the meteorological conditions and the pollen counts of Poaceae. The meteorological parameters analysed were the maximum and mean air temperature, relative humidity, amount of precipitation and wind speed. ⋯ However, in the pollen season the threshold Poaceae pollen count value is usually exceeded in the entire city. Statistically significant correlations have been found between the grass pollen count in the air and the maximum wind speed, air temperature, amount of precipitation and relative air humidity. The pollen count of grass is determined by the diversity of local flora and weather conditions, especially by the air temperature and relative humidity.
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Ann Agric Environ Med · Jan 2002
Legionella in sprinkling water as a potential occupational risk factor for gardeners.
To study a possibility of infection with Legionella at gardening by inhaling of water aerosolized at sprinkling of plants, samples of tap water used for sprinkling of plants grown in outdoor gardens and in greenhouses in the Lublin province (eastern Poland) were examined for the presence of Legionella, along with the samples of soil, artificial medium and air collected in modern greenhouses. The strains of Legionella were isolated from 8 out of 36 samples of water (22.2%) collected from outdoor taps used for sprinkling plants cultivated in outdoor gardens, and from 5 out of 20 samples of water (25.0%) collected from indoor taps used for sprinkling of plants cultivated in traditional greenhouses or foil tunnels. ⋯ No legionellae were found in 18 samples of tap water, 14 samples of soil, 14 samples of artificial medium or 6 samples of air collected in modern greenhouses. The results of this preliminary study suggest that water aerosolized at sprinkling of plants represents a potential source of Legionella infection among gardeners.
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Ann Agric Environ Med · Jan 2001
Comparative StudyComparative analysis of pollen counts of Corylus, Alnus and Betula in Szczecin, Warsaw and Lublin (2000-2001).
The aim of the study was to compare the airborne concentrations of allergenic pollen produced by three early flowering tree taxa (Corylus, Alnus, Betula) in the cities of Warsaw (central Poland), Lublin (eastern Poland) and Szczecin (western Poland) during the years 2000-2001. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method. Pollen seasons were defined as the periods in which 95% of the total catch occurred. ⋯ Results of the study reveal significant differences between the seasons and the cities. The differences concern the dates of the appearance of pollen grains in the air, the duration of the presence of sporomorphs and the maximum concentrations in particular seasons. The pollen counts of alder, birch and hazel trees are determined by the weather, diversity of local flora and specific rhythm of pollination of particular taxa.
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Ann Agric Environ Med · Jan 2001
ReviewEnvironmental health risk of chronic exposure to nitrous oxide in dental practice.
Nitrous oxide may be used to alleviate dental anxiety and to diminish or eliminate dental pain. The benefit of nitrous oxide sedation is a cooperative and satisfied patient. By reducing the patient's perception of pain it allows them to relax and cooperate during dental procedures. ⋯ Safety standards have been established in the United States and Europe since many years. The potential detrimental action on the reproductive, neurological, haematological, hepatic and renal systems, plus the possibility of increased cancer risk have been the subject of active research, although absolute occupational effects are still uncertain. To provide a safer work-place for those at risk of exposure to waste anesthetic gases, preventive measures are recommended.