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This review is aimed at summarizing the current state of knowledge about the relationship between environmental exposure to the bioaerosol emitted by intensive livestock farming and changes in the microbiome of people living in livestock farm vicinity. The PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched by crossing keywords from the following 3 groups: a) "livestock," "animal farms," "animal breeding"; b) "microbiome," "resistome"; c) "livestock vicinity," "farm vicinity," "neighborhoods and health" in 2010-2022. Literature screening did not reveal any paper related to the full microbiome composition in the population studied. In the study, the authors included 7 papers (5 from the Netherlands, 1 from the USA, and 1 from China). The studies confirmed the carriage of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), livestockassociated MRSA (LA-MRSA MC398) and multidrug-resistant S. aureus (MDRSA) in the nasal microbiome of adults and children living within 500-2000 m from a livestock farm. Clostridium difficile, including LA-ribotype RT078 carriage, was detected in the intestinal microbiome of adults living within 500-1000 m. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae were confirmed in the intestinal microbiome of adults living within 500-6200 m. Knowledge on the composition of the microflora of people living in livestock farm vicinity is insufficient to conclude about changes in the microbiome caused by the environmental emission of bioaerosol. The carriage prevalence of the LA-bacteria, including both strains with antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial resistance genes, confirms the presence of zoonotic bacteria in the human microflora in populations without occupational contact with animals. It cannot be ruled out that zoonotic bacteria, as a component of the microbiome, have a negative impact on people's health. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(2):138-52. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiological Contamination with fungi, including moulds, can pose a significant health hazard to those working in archives or museums. The species involved include Aspergillus, Penicillium, Geotrichum, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Tnchoderma, Fusarium which are associated mostly with allergic response of different types. The aim of the study was to analyse, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, workplace air samples collected in a library and archive storage facilities. Occupational exposure and the related health hazard from microbiological contamination with moulds were assessed in three archive storage buildings and one library. Air samples (total 60) were collected via impact method before work and at hourly intervals during work performance. Surface samples from the artifacts were collected by pressing a counting (RODAC) plate filled with malt extract agar against the surface of the artifacts. The air sample and surface sample analyses yielded 36 different mould species, classified into 19 genera, of which Cladosporium and Penicillium were the most prevalent. Twelve species were regarded as potentially pathogenic for humans: 8 had allergic and 11 toxic properties, the latter including Aspergillus fumigatus. Quantitative analysis revealed air microbiological contamination with moulds at the level ranging from 1.8 x 10²-2.3 x 10³ cfu/m³. In surface samples from library and archive artifacts, II fungal species were distinguished; the number of species per artifact varying from 1-6 and colony count ranging from 4 x 10¹ to 8-10¹ cfu/100 cm². Higher contamination levels were found only for Cladosporium cladosporioides (1.48 x 10³ cfu/100 cm²) and Paecillomyces varioti (1.2 x 10² cfu/100 cm²). At the workposts examined, although no clearly visible signs of mould contamination could be found, the study revealed abundant micromycetes, with the predominant species of Cladosporium and Penicillium. The detected species included also potentially pathogenic microorganisms which can cause allergic and toxic effects, such as Aspergillusfumigatus, that could be hazardous to workers' health. For some species, the concentration levels exceeded the values considered the proposed hygienic standards for total microscopical fungi in occupational settings. The findings of the study point to unsatisfactory hygienic conditions at the worksites examined, resulting in microbiological contamination with moulds, as well as the necessity for prompt remedial activities on the part of the employers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medycyna Pracy is the property of Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. Jerzego Nofera and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Medycyna Pracy is the property of Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. Jerzego Nofera and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Medycyna Pracy is the property of Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. Jerzego Nofera and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Medycyna Pracy is the property of Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. Jerzego Nofera and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

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.

Background: Indoor air is contaminated with microorganisms coming from both the atmospheric air and sources present in premises. The aim of this study was to analyze the concentrations of biological agents in office buildings, dependending on ventilation/air conditioning system and season., Materials and Methods: The study covered office buildings (different in the system of ventila-tion/air conditioning). Air samples for assessing the levels of inhalable dust, endotoxins and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans, were taken at the selected stationary points of each building during summer and winter. The air was sampled for 6 h, using portable sets consisting of the GilAir 5 pump and the head filled with a filter of fiber glass. The samples for the presence of airborne bacteria and fungi were collected twice during the day using the impaction method., Results: Average concentrations of inhalable dust, bacteria, fungi, endotoxins and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans in office premises were 0.09 mg/m3, 6.00 x 10(2) cfu/m3, 4.59 x 10(1) cfu/m3, 0.42 ng/m3 and 3.91 ng/m3, respectively. Higher concentrations of the investigated agents were found in summer. In premises with air conditioning concentrations of airborne fungi, (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans and inhalable dust were significantly lower in winter. In summer the trend was reverse except for (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans., Conclusions: Concentrations of biological agents were affected by the season and the presence of air conditioning. Concentrations of inhalable dust, bacteria, fungi, endotoxins and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans, observed inside the office buildings, were significantly higher in summer than in winter. The presence of the air conditioning system modified in various ways the levels of biological agents. Its influence was greater on the concentration of fungi and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans than on that of bacteria and endotoxins.

The aim of the paper was to discuss the problems related to the classification of B. subtilis and B. thuringiensis bacteria to the 2nd risk group under the 2005 decree of the Ministry of Health on hazardous biological agents (Law Gazette No. 81, item 716 with later amendments). The decree is a Polish implementation of the Directive 2000/54/EC generally consistent with its recommendations, but in the case of certain microorganisms a separate decision has been taken and having in mind the health of workers, changes in the list of hazardous agents existing in Poland have been made. The paper presents in detail the legal situation in this field, as well as current knowledge about the biology of these microorganisms, their use in the biotechnology industry and related production of allergenic proteins, and their effect on the human health. Placement ofB. subtilis and B. thuringiensis in the 2nd risk group resulted in the interpretative difficulties encountered by employers who use products containing these bacteria, institutions involved in such products trade and inspectorates supervising working conditions. Based on the literature review it is suggested to initiate actions leading to the development of hygiene norms for certain enzymes/bioinsecticides present in the air, the more that the tests to assess air concentrations of some of them are available. This solution would permit to remove B. subtilis and B. thuringiensis bacteria from the 2nd risk group without the risk for the care of workers' health.

Background: 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., Materials and Methods: 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., Results: 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., Conclusions: 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.

Introduction: The National Register of Biological Agents at Work and the National Information Centre for Biological Agents Present at Workplaces were established in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in 2005. The National Information Centre carries out consultation and education activities concerning occupational exposure and risk assessment, development and implementation of preventive programs and accurate registration of reliable information about the use of biological agents. Educational materials on biological exposure are published on the website., Material and Methods: The National Register of Biological Agents (database) collects and periodically analyzes the information obtained from employers about the use of biological agents for research, diagnostic or industrial purposes., Results and Conclusion: As of 10 December 2010 there were 240 notifications from companies, which use biological agents for the following purposes: research--69, industrial--30 and diagnostic--321. Near 75% of all notifications were obtained from different diagnostic laboratories (public and private). In total, 3226 workers, including 2967 (92%) women and 256 (8%) men were exposed to biological agents. In general, occupational exposure to 209 biological agents (186 of risk group 2 and 23 of risk group 3, of which 16 are additionally marked by 3**) were registered in the data base.

Medical diagnostic laboratories form a particular occupational environment, in which workers have contact with patients and potentially infectious biological materials thus it should be acknowledged that it poses a significantly increased risk to health of laboratory workers. The risk directly depends on the kind of microbes present in a biological material and natural resistance to infections of individual workers. Therefore, the adopted technical and organizational solutions, properly worked out and obeyed procedures assuring safety work with biological material and microbes and properly trained laboratory staff play an essential role in reducing the risk. The risk of contact with microbes among laboratory workers is higher in Poland than in a number of other countries because hermetic devices for diagnostic analyzes and safety blood sampling systems are not always in use. The most important methods of infectious diseases prevention among laboratory workers are to protect them against direct contact with biological material, to apply vaccinations and to implement proper post-exposure procedures. Appropriate qualifications and habits of workers are of relevance to prevent infections in laboratories. A difficult financial situation of health care in Poland and other economic reasons can significantly increase the risk of infections and endanger health and safety of laboratory workers. It is necessary to develop practical instructions aimed at improving occupational safety to protect this occupational group against harmful effects of biological agents.

Background: 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., Materials and Methods: 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., Results: 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 to > 5200 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., Conclusion: 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.

Background: The aim of the study was to recognize exposure to biological agents in the air of waste sorting plants. This publication contains the characteristics of technical solutions in use during sorting of waste and the results of quantitative analysis in terms of the presence of moulds and inhalable dust in the air., Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the summertime inside two waste sorting plants with different production capacity ("big" and "small"). To evaluate inhalable dust in the air, 53 samples were collected using personal samplers on glass fiber filters. To assess mycological contamination of the air, 30 triple samples were directly collected on Petri dishes (Malt Extract Agar medium), using the volumetric impact method in the worker's respiratory zone. Samples were incubated for 5 days at 30 degrees C. Outcomes of the total number of moulds were provided in cfu/m3 (cfu--colony forming units)., Results: The mean concentration of inhalable dust, determined in the "big" waste sorting plant, was 2.38 mg/m3 and in the "small" plant 1.12 mg/m3. The quantitative analysis revealed the following values of the total number of moulds present in the air: 1) "big" waste sorting plant, 2.9 x 10(4) cfu/m3 (work premises) and 3.6 x 10(3) jtk/m3 (office premises); 2) "small" waste sorting plant, 7.8 x 10(4) cfu/m3 (work premises) and 2.5 x 10(3) jtk/m3 (office premises)., Conclusions: Mould concentrations determined in the environment of waste sorting plants were high. To protect health of workers in this kind of plants, preventive programs focused on the protection of the skin and respiratory system should be implemented. Offices should be properly isolated from work premises to minimize spreading of inhalable dust.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUNDBackground: Recycling workers belong to a high risk occupational group because of their contact with high concentrationsria and moulds at the workplace. The aim of the study was to assess the selected elements of health in workers, their knowledge of exposure to biological agents, potential health effects and preventive measures., Material and Methods: The questionnaire survey was carried out among 69 workers of two sorting waste plants., Results: Knowledge of harmful health effects of biological agents was observed in 64% workers, but only 18% of respondents were able to give an accurate example of diseases caused by them. For 42% of workers their employers were the major source of acquired knowledge. All respondents used personal preventive measures, washed hands before eating and after work, however, 7% of them consumed meals at the workplace. Acute upper respiratory tract symptoms were found in 64% of respondents, dry and persistent cough in 33%, paroxysmal dyspnea and/or whistling breath in 19%, eye troubles in 36%, and skin troubles in 14%. Those symptoms showed varied frequency and intensity. Allergic diseases were diagnosed in 23% of workers, including 11% of those with allergy diagnosed before commencing the employment at the sorting plant., Conclusions: The compulsory training in occupational health and safety concerning the occupational exposure to biological agents should be expanded for this occupational group. The intensity of acute upper respiratory tract symptoms with allergic background that increased at work in the majority (77%) of workers indicate the adverse effects of bioaerosol on the worker's health. To protect health of workers it is needed to intensify preventive activities aimed at minimizing bioaerosol concentrations at the workplace and making the protection of eyes, skin and respiratory system much more effective.

The National Information Centre for Biological Agents Present at Workplaces and the National Register of Biological Agents were established in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in 2005. The former carries out consultation and education activities concerned with occupational exposure and risk assessment, planning and implementation of preventive programs and accurate registration of reliable information about the use of biological agents. The latter aims at collecting and analyzing the aforesaid information obtained from employers for research, diagnostic or industrial purposes. The data base is a source of information for occupational environment supervising inspections and occupational health service. useful among others in planning various forms of prevention. As of December 10, 2008 there were 281 notifications from companies using biological agents (for the following purposes: research--34, diagnostic--225 and industrial--22). The majority of notifications were obtained from different diagnostic laboratories and universities/ research institutes. In total, 2197 workers, including 2011 (91.5%) women and 186 (8.5%) men were exposed to biological agents, were registered.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.