Origin, distribution, and perspective health benefits of particulate matter in the air of underground salt mine: a case study from Bochnia, Poland

Aerosol particles in the Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines, Poland, primarily originate from geogenic sources such as rock salt fragments, with minimal anthropogenic or biogenic contributions. The study found that particulate matter (PM) concentrations ranged from 21 to 79 µg/m³, decreasing with distance from the air inlet due to natural self-cleaning processes. Salt particles and salty spray, which may offer anti-inflammatory and antiallergic benefits, dominated the composition, while trace elements like Fe, Al, Ag, Mn, and Zn were present at low levels (<30 ng/m³), posing no health risks. The research employed portable air pumps and gravimetric analysis to assess PM composition, providing insights into halotherapy's potential medical applications.

Puławska, A., Manecki, M., Flasza, M., & Styszko, K. (2021). Origin, distribution, and perspective health benefits of particulate matter in the air of underground salt mine: a case study from Bochnia, Poland. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(9), 3533–3556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00832-2