AIRBORNE BACTERIA AND FUNGI IN A COAL MINE IN POLAND

We determined the species composition and the concentration of colony forming units of airborne bacteria and fungi in a coal mine in Poland. We sampled at six locations in a working shaft at about 500-600 m below ground level. Air samples were collected between 6 and 9 a.m. using the impact method onto Potato Dextrose Agar and TSA. The volume of air filtered for each coalmine sample was 50 L. We found 11 fungal species, with Penicillium meleagrinum and P. notatum as the most common. Six bacterial genera were identified, with Micrococcus spp. as the most common. There were no pathogenic fungi or bacteria identified. The concentration of fungal spores and bacteria in the coal mine air is not a direct hazard to mine workers.