[Intentional use of harmful biological agents in work processes in Poland based on the National Register of Biological Agents]. / Celowe uzycie szkodliwych czynników biologicznych w procesach pracy w Polsce na podstawie Krajowego Rejestru Czynników Biologicznych.

BACKGROUND: The work presents the intentional use of harmful biological agents based on National Register of Biological Agents (Krajowego Rejestru Czynników Biologicznych - KRCB) collected by June 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The KRCB is a central database gathering notifications of the intentional use of biological agents in risk groups 2-4 in the workplace in accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Health of December 11, 2020 amending the regulation regarding biological agents. RESULTS: with the regulation of the Minister of Health of December 11, 2020 amending the regulation regarding biological agents. Results: Notifications were sent by 712 enterprises for: diagnostic - 62%, research - 31% and industrial purposes - 7%. Notifications were most often sent by hospital and non-hospital clinical and diagnostic laboratories (33% each group) and higher education and research units - 16%. In total, 7352 workers (88% women, 12% men) were exposed to biological agents intentionally used at work. Biological agents from 2 and 3 group risk were used by 98% and 16% enterprises, respectively. The most frequently were used bacteria Escherichia coli (with the exception of non-pathogenic strains) - 5972 (81%) exposed workers, Staphylococcus aureus - respectively 5760 (78%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 5155 (70%). Among the total workers, nearly 25% were exposed to at least 1 biological agent carcinogenic to humans, including viruses (hepatitis B virus [HBV] - 1800 workers, 24%; hepatitis C virus [HCV] - respectively, 1767, 24%; human immunodeficiency virus-1 [HIV-1] - 1557, 21%; human gammaherpesvirus type 4 (Epstein-Barr virus) - 199, 3%; Papillomaviridae - 52, <1%; human gammaherpesvirus type 8 [HHV-8] - 16, <1%; human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 [HTLV- 1] - 38, <1%; bacteria Helicobacter pylori - 299, 4%; parasites Schistosoma haematobium - 9, <1%). CONCLUSIONS: Intentionally used biological agents most often pose a threat to workers of hospital and non-hospital clinical and diagnostic laboratories, but a higher health risk concerns workers of and higher education and research units. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(6):501-11.

[Harmful biological agents intentionally used in enterprises in Poland based on the National Register of Biological Agents]. / Szkodliwe czynniki biologiczne stosowane celowo w zakladach pracy w Polsce na podstawie danych z Krajowego Rejestru Czynników Biologicznych.

BACKGROUND: This work presents intentional use of harmful biological agents based on the National Register of Biological Agents (in Polish abbreviated as KRCB) as of July 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Generally, KRCB is a central database gathering notifications of intentional use of biological agents classified as risk groups 2-4 at work. RESULTS: Notifications were sent by 672 enterprises, including for diagnostic - 63%, research - 30% and industrial purposes - 7%. The largest number of notifications were sent by hospital-based diagnostic laboratories - 34%, laboratories other than hospital-based - 34%, and higher education and research units - 15%. In total, 7077 workers (88% women, 12% men) were exposed to biological agents intentionally used at work. The following bacteria were most frequently used: Escherichia coli (with the exception of non-pathogenic strains) - 4394 (62%) exposed workers, Staphylococcus aureus -4122 (58%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 3726 (53%). Biological agents recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic were used in 107 enterprises (16%), including the following viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV) - 25 enterprises (4%), hepatitis C virus (HCV) - 24 (4%), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) - 18 (3%), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - 10 (1%), human papilloma virus (HPV) - 5 (1%), human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) - 3 (<1%), human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) - 3 (<1%), as well as bacteria Helicobacter pylori - 18 (3%) and parasites Schistosoma haematobium - 1 (<1%). CONCLUSIONS: While KRCB is a unique source of information on biological agents intentionally used in workplaces, it also provides an important link in the chain of information on occupational exposure to harmful agents in Poland. Med. Pr. 2021;72(2):131-43.

Indoor air quality and the associated health risk in primary school buildings in Central Europe - The InAirQ study.

The indoor air quality (IAQ) was investigated in sixty-four primary school buildings in five Central European countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia). The concentration of volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, PM2.5 mass, carbon dioxide, radon, as well as physical parameters were investigated during the heating period of 2017/2018. Significant differences were identified for the majority of the investigated IAQ parameters across the countries. The median indoor/outdoor ratios varied considerably. A comprehensive evaluation of IAQ in terms of potential health effects and comfort perception was performed. Hazard quotient values were below the threshold value of 1 with one exception. In contrast, 31% of the school buildings were characterized by hazard index values higher than 1. The maximum cumulative ratio approach highlighted that the concern for non-carcinogenic health effects was either low or the health risk was driven by more substances. The median excess lifetime cancer risk values exceeded the acceptable value of 1 × 10-6 in the case of radon and formaldehyde. PM2.5 mass concentration values exceeded the 24 h and annual guideline values set by the World Health Organization in 56 and 85% of the cases, respectively. About 80% of the schools could not manage to comply with the recommended concentration value for carbon dioxide (1000 ppm).

Occupational exposure to Staphylococcus aureus in the wastewater treatment plants environment.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the occupational exposure to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, including methicillin- resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant strains in the municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 16 WWTPs in Poland, 33 wastewater and 253 air samples were collected in the spring-summer season. The microbiological analysis was carried out using a chromogenic medium. Species identification was carried out using the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight method, while the antibiotic-resistance analysis was performed with an automatic method. RESULTS: Among 2805 bacterial isolates from the air and wastewater, 574 were identified as S. aureus species (20.5%). The presence of S. aureus species was found in 11 WWTPs (69%), among them in 11 WWTPs in raw wastewater and in 1 WWTP additionally in treated wastewater. The concentrations of S. aureus in wastewater ranged 2-1215 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml). In the air, 2 S. aureus isolates were identified in concentrations of 5 and 10 CFU/m3; both samples were collected at the stage of mechanical wastewater treatment. The results revealed the following trend: the higher the outdoor temperature, the bigger the number of WWTPs with confirmed S. aureus presence. Among 149 S. aureus isolates (2 from the air and 147 from wastewater, including 2 MRSA), 100 isolates were resistant only to penicillin, while 34 isolates showed multi-antibiotic resistance (to penicillin and other drugs). It was found that isolated bacteria were resistant almost strictly to critical and highly important antibiotics in veterinary medicine. CONCLUSIONS: In general, WWTPs workers are occupationally exposed to S. aureus, including MRSA, and other antibiotic- and multi-antibiotic-resistant strains. The highest risk of infection concerns the activities carried out in direct contact with wastewater or devices through which wastewater flows, particularly at the stage of mechanical treatment. A significant source of S. aureus seems to be intensive livestock farming located in the area of the WWTPs under analysis. The study confirms the necessity to disinfect the wastewater discharging into WWTPs. Med Pr. 2020;71(3):265-78.

[Biological agents intentionally used in Poland based on data from the National Register Of Biological Agents]. / Celowe uzycie czynników biologicznych w Polsce na podstawie danych z Krajowego Rejestru Czynników Biologicznych.

BACKGROUND: Paper presents the intentional use of biological agents for industrial, diagnostic and research purposes in enterprises in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The source of data is the National Register of Biological (in Polish KRCB) - the type of the database that gathers data about the intentional use of biological agents at work in Poland. The analysis includes tabular summaries of the data as of December 2017. RESULTS: Notifications were sent by 598 enterprises for: diagnostic - 67.5%, research - 25% and industrial purposes - 75%. Those mostly were hospital diagnostic laboratories - 36%, entities other than hospitals - 32% and higher education and research units - 13%. In total, 4477 workers (91.3% women, 8.7% men) were exposed to biological agents. Agents from 2nd and 3rd group of risk were used in 581 and 106 enterprises, respectively. Escherichia coli bacteria was most frequently used (with the exception of non-pathogenic strains) in 504 enterprises (3529 exposed workers), Staphylococcus aureus - 495 enterprises (3464 workers) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 459 enterprises (3157 workers). In 58 enterprises, biological agents recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic were used (viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV) - 10 enterprises and 257 workers, hepatitis C virus (HCV) - 10 enterprises and 232 workers, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - 9 enterprises and 227 workers, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) - 8 enterprises and 186 workers, human papilloma virus (HPV) - 3 enterprises and 94 workers, human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) - 3 enterprises and 22 workers, human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) - 1 enterprise and 17 workers; parasites: Schistosoma haematobium - 2 enterprises and 4 workers, Clonorchis viverrini - 1 enterprises and 2 workers, Clonorchis sinensis - 1 enterprises and 2 workers; bacteria: Helicobacter pylori - 10 enterprises and 137 workers). CONCLUSIONS: The network organization, legal base and central nature cause that the KRCB is a unique database that allows for diagnosis of the situation and tracking of dynamics in the context of occupational exposure to biological agents used intentionally in enterprises in Poland. Med Pr 2018;69(4):413-424.

[Occupational exposure to biological agents intentionally used in Polish enterprises]. / Zawodowa ekspozycja na czynniki biologiczne stosowane w sposób celowy w Polsce.

BACKGROUND: The paper presents the intentional use of biological agents for industrial, diagnostic and research purposes in Polish enterprises. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The National Register of Biological Agents (Krajowy Rejestr Czynników Biologicznych - KRCB) is an online database that collects the data on the intentional use of biological agents at work in Poland. RESULTS: As of December 2013 there were 533 notifications in KRCB, mainly for diagnostic (73%), research (20%) and industrial purposes (7%). Mostly there were hospital diagnostic laboratories (37%), and other laboratories (35%), as well as higher education and research institutions (11%). In total, 4015 workers (91.7% of women, 8.3% of men) were exposed tobiological agents. Agents classified in risk group 2 were used in 518 enterprises, and in risk group 3 in 107 enterprises. Of those agents the following bacteria were the most frequently used: Escherichia coli except for non-pathogenic strains (455 enterprises and 3314 exposed workers); Staphylococcus aureus (445 and 3270); and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (406 and 2969, respectively). In 66 enterprises there were used biological agents recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogens. They are viruses: Epstein-Barr (7 enterprises, 181 exposed workers); hepatitis B (16 and 257); hepatitis C virus (15 and 243); human immunodefi- ciency virus (8 and 107); human papillomaviruses (2 and 4); parasites: Clonorchis viverrini (1 and 2 ); Clonorchos sinensis (1 and 2); Schistosoma haematobium (1 and 2) and bacteria Helicobacter pylori; (15 and 230, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The National Register of Biological Agents at Work permits to evaluate the situation of occupational exposure to biological agents used intentionally in enterprises in Poland.

Children's residential exposure to selected allergens and microbial indicators: endotoxins and (1→3)-ß-D-glucans.

OBJECTIVES: The study was aimed at assessment of exposure to endotoxins, (1→3)-ß-D-glucans and mite, cockroach, cat, dog allergens present in settled dust in premises of children as agents which may be significantly correlated with the occurrence of allergic symptoms and diseases in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study covered 50 homes of one-or two-year-old children in Poland. Samples of settled dust were taken from the floor and the child's bed. The levels of (1→3)-ß-D-glucans (floor), endotoxins (floor) and allergens of mite, cat, dog and cockroach (floor and bed) were analyzed. RESULTS: Average geometric concentrations (geometric standard deviation) of endotoxins, (1→3)-ß-D-glucans, Der p1, Fel d1, Can f1 and Bla g1 in children homes were on the floor 42 166.0 EU/g (3.2), 20 478.4 ng/g (2.38), 93.9 ng/g (6.58), 119.8 ng/g (13.0), 288.9 ng/g (3.4), 0.72 U/g (4.4) and in their beds (only allergens) 597.8 ng/g (14.2), 54.1 ng/g (4.4), 158.6 ng/g (3.1) 0.6 U/g (2.9), respectively. When the floor was covered with the carpet, higher concentrations of endotoxins, (1→3)-ß-D-glucans and allergens (each type) were found in the settled dust (p < 0.05). The trend was opposite in case of allergens (except dog) analyzed from bed dust and significantly higher concentrations were found in the rooms with smooth floor (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the analyzed factors only the type of floor significantly modified both the level of biological indicators and allergens. The results of this study could be the base for verifying a hypothesis that carpeting may have a protective role against high levels of cockroach, dog and cat allergens.

[Occupational exposure to prions due to contact with meat and bone meal (MBM)]. / Narazenie zawodowe na priony zwiazane z praca w kontakcie z maczka miesno-kostna.

Meat and bone meal (MBM) is free from conventional biological factors if it is not subjected to a secondary pollution, but it may be a potential source of prions. Prions are widely accepted as being the casual agents of a range of serious infectious diseases characterized by degenerative processes in the nervous system. These diseases occur in both humans and animals. The recommended method of producing MBM is now regarded by experts as optimal as it sufficiently eliminates prions, which may be present in the animal material used in MBM production. However, it has been stressed that neither this nor any other method used can guarantee that all prions are completely neutralized. Workers employed in utilizing plants, which produce MBM, plants producing fertilizers and animal fodder, power stations using MBM as an alternative fuel, MBM store-houses, as well as those dealing with MBM distribution and transport form occupational groups at a higher risk. In the opinion of experts, the risk of infection with prions among workers having contact with MBM is very low and it should be regarded as acceptable for this kind of exposure. It is worth noting that guidelines on how to prevent and reduce contacts with MBM has already been elaborated.

[Assessment of occupational exposure to fungal aerosols in wastewater treatment plants]. / Ocena zawodowej ekspozycji na aerozole grzybowe w oczyszczalniach scieków.

BACKGROUND: The quantitative assessment and qualitative identification of moulds at workplaces in wastewater treatment plants were the aim of the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in four wastewater treatment plants, where 15 stationary points were selected according to mechanical, biological and sewage sludge treatment processes. In addition, background level samples from the city area were also collected. Bioaerosols were sampled with use of a Burkard Aerosol Sampler and directly put on Malt Extract Agar plates. Identification of moulds was based on morphological properties described in the professional literature. RESULTS: The identified concentrations of moulds were low and ranged between 0.11 and 16.75 x 10(2) cfu/m3. The highest mean levels of fungal microflora were found during sewage sludge treatment processes. In total, there were 65 fungal isolates, of which 80% were found in wastewater treatment plants. In bioaerosol samples of the occupational origin, the highest (40%) amount of isolates originated from sewage sludge treatment processes and the lowest (25%) from biological treatment stages. In wastewater treatment plants, moulds of Aspergillus genus predominated and represented nearly 35% of all identified fungi. Comparing to background levels, the content of this genus was almost 4.5 times higher. Pathogenic Aspergillus fumigatus was found at all stages of wastewater treatment and Trichophyton genus at the stage of mechanical treatment. Moreover, there were numerous moulds of Mucor, Penicillium and Alternaria genera. In background samples moulds of Penicillium genus predominated and no pathogenic species were found. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results reveal that the sewage sludge is the main source of mould emission into the air at workplaces in wastewater treatment plants. On account of the presence of moulds with the evidenced infectious and allergic activity it is suggested that personal protective equipment should be used by employees.

[Knowledge of the employees about biological agents in the work environment and the ways of health protection against occupational exposure to biological hazards. Part II]. / Wiedza wybranych grup zawodowych o rodzajach czynników biologicznych obecnych w srodowisku pracy oraz o sposobach ochrony przed ich szkodliwym wplywem. Czesc II.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of health protection of workers occupationally exposed to biological agents is equally influenced by the workers' knowledge about the risks related to biological agents and the ways they behave at work. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this paper, the authors continue to present the results of the study covering 150 workers employed in health services, forestry, and municipal services. They were interviewed on the basis of a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of the study population used personal protective devices in a proper way and followed the principles of occupational safety and hygiene. Only some of the workers informed occupational medicine physicians about their health problems, which they associated with occupational exposure to biological agents. CONCLUSION: The interviewed workers are actually able to sufficiently protect their health against biological hazards despite their generally low knowledge of risks related to occupational exposure to biological agents.

[Protection of hospital workers from risks of occupational exposure to biological agents]. / Ochrona pracowników szpitali przed ryzykiem zwiazanym z ekspozycja na czynniki biologiczne.

BACKGROUND: Health care workers belong to a high risk occupational group in view of their permanent contact with biological agents. It is essential to take all available and effective technical, organizational and medical preventive measures to protect the exposed workers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Activities aimed at protecting workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents, according to recommendations laid down in Directive 2000/54/EC, were assessed in a questionnaire survey carried out in 47 hospitals. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The following requirements were best satisfied by the hospitals under study: provision of workers exposed to biological agents with collective and personal protective measures; washing and toilet facilities; separate dinning rooms; registration of accidents involving handling of biological agents and including biological agents issues in the program of occupational training of workers. Most flaws and oversights were observed in regard to: biological agents risk assessment; appropriate marking of rooms where biohazard may occur; written procedures for safe handling of biological agents and the implementation of vaccination program against hepatitis B.

[Occupational exposure to biological agents and the protection of exposed workers according to the new legal regulations]. / Zawodowa ekspozycja na czynniki biologiczne i ochrona narazonych na nie pracowników w swietle nowych przepisów prawnych.

Directive 2000/54/EC deals thoroughly with issues referring to the protection of workers from risks related to occupational exposure to biological agents in the European Union. The ordinance of the Minister of Health on harmful biological agents at work and the protection of exposed workers implements its content into Polish legislation. This paper reviews essential records of the ordinance: definition of biological agents; classification of biological agents into four risk groups according to their level of risk of infection; employers' obligations concerning the protection of workers exposed to biological agents. The results of Phare project supporting implementation of the directive in Poland regarding distribution of information on occupational exposure to biological agents among State Sanitary Inspection and occupational medicine service staff and employers are also presented.

[Occupational exposure to hazardous agents in enterprises supervised by the State Sanitary Inspection]. / Narazenie zawodowe na czynniki szkodliwe w zakladach pracy nadzorowanych przez Panstwowa Inspekcje Sanitarna.

The presented data concern occupational exposure understood as work performed in working conditions with exceeded values of maximum allowable concentrations/intensities (MAC/MAI) of hazardous/noxious agents. In Poland, the State Sanitary Inspection (PIS) is responsible for the occupational hygiene surveillance in the work environment. Information on occupational exposure to various hazardous agents (chemical and physical, as well as industrial dust, lighting or microclimate) is collected by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine every three years on the basis of routine statistics of sanitary inspectorates. Information on occupational exposure apply exclusively to workers employed in PIS-supervised enterprises. In 2000, the Polish enterprises, registered and supervised by PIS, employed 4 321 312 workers, including 505 638 (11.7%) workers employed in working conditions with exceeded MAC/MAI values. In 2000, both the proportion of workposts with exceeded MAC/MAI values and the proportion of workers employed in exposure decreased. The data show a general improvement in working conditions in Poland.

[Knowledge of selected occupational groups about biological agents in the environment and ways of health protection against occupational exposure to biological hazards]. / Wiedza wybranych grup zawodowych o rodzajach czynników biologicznych obecnych w srodowisku pracy oraz o sposobach ochrony przed ich szkodliwym wplywem.

BACKGROUND: Occupational, biological factors of microbial, plant and animal origin may become a health hazard to the exposed workers. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of biological agents present in the work environment, related health risks, and health protection against biological exposure at work among workers of certain occupational categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population of 150 workers, employed in the health, forestry and municipal services, was interviewed using a specially developed questionnaire. Each occupational category comprised 50 workers. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The level of workers' knowledge of occupational, biological agents, their effect on human body, symptoms and diseases induced by occupational exposure to biological hazards is rather limited in the study groups. Personal protective measures, prophylactic vaccination and compliance with principles of personal hygiene are considered to be the most effective ways of health protection against occupational exposure to biological hazards.