Search results

1

The Role of the University in Environmental Education. The Problem of Particulate Pollution in Poland

100%

Ciepiela M., Sobczyk W.

Journal of Education, Technology and Computer Science

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2021

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vol. 12

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issue 2(32)

203-209

EN

University didactics determines the individual’s place in the educational process as well as provides for a multidirectional continuing education which environmental protection is an important point. This discipline perfectly combines methods of working and scientific research. This paper describes particulates which are produced naturally and by anthropogenic sources. The influence of fossil fuel combustion on atmosphere conditions in a large urban agglomeration is shown. I discuss the causes of the high concentration of particulate matter pollution in Poland, which is tied to city planning and the development of the energy industry as well as the municipal and residential sector. The effects of introducing a ban on burning solid fuels in Krakow are reported.

2

Proekologiczne i prooszczędnościowe zachowania gospodarstw domowych jako konsumentów energii

100%

Ropuszyńska-Surma E., Węglarz M.

Ekonomia. Wrocław Economic Review

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2018

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vol. 24

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issue 3

23 - 39

EN

The aim of the article is to indicate the changes related to households’ behavior linked to energy saving and pro-ecological activities. Therefore, the authors conducted acomparison analysis of the results of the nationwide Polish research about Polish ecological awareness and identified — as part of the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) project called “Modelling prosumers’ behavior on theenergy market” — pro-economical attitudes of households. The first part of this paper presents the opinions of Poles about the possibilities of development of the different kinds of energy sources in Poland, taking into special consideration the development of renewable energy sources. In the second part of this paper the authors describe households’ behavior connected with saving energy. They analyzed pro-economical behavior such as: switching off lights in empty rooms, unplugging phone chargers after use, using economical bulbs and unplugging devices that are not in use. The diversifying variables of behavior are: sex, age, income. The analysis of households’ behavior was supplemented with the analysis of pro-economical attitudes of Wroclaw university students.

3

Zanieczyszczenie powietrza i nieefektywność energetyczna struktur osadniczych w kontekście bezładu przestrzennego w Polsce (wybrane przykłady z Dolnego Śląska)

100%

Zathey M.

Studia komitetu przestrzennego zagospodarowania kraju PAN

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2018

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vol. 182

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issue 2

229-238

4

Exposure to particulate matter and cardiovascular disease risk

100%

Nowicka G.

Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae

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2007

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vol. 5

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issue 1

75-80

PL

Badania epidemiologiczne wskazuję, że zarówno długotrwała jak i krótkotrwała ekspozycja na wysokie stężenia różnego typu zanieczyszczeń powietrza powoduje istotny wzrost incydentów klinicznych związanych z chorobami układu sercowo-naczyniowego. U podstaw tego związku leży bezpośredni oraz pośredni wpływ cząstek tworzących te zanieczyszczenia na procesy odgrywające kluczową rolę w rozwoju tych chorób. Zaostrzenie standardów czystości powietrza, a w efekcie zmniejszenie narażenia na działanie zanieczyszczeń powietrza, może w istotnie obniżyć ryzyko rozwoju chorób układu sercowo-naczyniowego i poprawić stan zdrowia populacji.

EN

Epidemiological studies clearly indicate that both long- and short-term exposure to several environmental air pollutants cause significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular events, the observed strong relation between particulate matter air level and cardiovascular diseases may be explained by indirect or direct influence of these particles on different biological processes involved in disease development. Improvement of air quality standards and lowering of particulate matter exposure can significantly diminish cardiovascular disease risk and improve public health status.

5

Protecting the right to clean air through criminal law: a perspective from economic law analysis and the case of Poland

100%

Podhalicz M.

Acta Iuris Stetinensis

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2020

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vol. 29

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issue 1

147-164

EN

The aim of this paper is to examine whether Polish criminal law efficiently criminalises acts that harm air quality (most notably emissions of toxins to the air through, among others, the improper processing of waste). The relevance of this research stems from the notorious fact that air-quality in Poland is one of the worst in Europe, and it is no secret that this situation is caused largely by private actors infringing on rules concerning the emissions of toxins into the environment. As the author establishes through legal analysis, the collection of empirical data, and on the basis of an economic-law-analysis crime model, Polish criminal law fails thoroughly when it comes to combatting this phenomenon. Relating the current legal regu- lations and, most importantly, their employment in practice to the prerequisites of effective crime policy (as envisaged by G. Becker), it is doubtless that for the poor air-quality in Poland to change, the state should aim at reaching a better detection rate when it comes to environ- mental crimes, as well as inflicting more severe penalties on the perpetrators of those crimes. This, coupled with proper educational campaigns directed at citizens and law enforcement authorities at large, should bring about higher levels of deterrence when it comes to these crimes, and by extension, enhance air quality in Poland.

6

Ograniczanie emisyjności pojazdów w transporcie drogowym. Pojazdy hybrydowe i elektryczne w Polsce – perspektywy i bariery rozwoju

100%

Krzak J.

Studia BAS

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2012

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issue 1(29)

161-184

EN

In this paper the author addresses the issue of road transport in the context of its environmental impact. The article discusses the issue of air pollution from motor vehicle emissions and various methods of tackling this problem. The first section provides an overview of the most important data related to air pollution caused by road transport and the main EU regulations concerning vehicle emission standards. The second section of the article is devoted to barriers that hinder the growth of the hybrid and electric vehicle market. This analysis is carried out on the basis of the vehicle market conditions in Poland.

7

Selected Natural and Anthropogenic Factors of the Attractiveness of Popular Tourist Centres in Poland

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Pasek M., Dróżdż R.

Studia Periegetica

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2017

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vol. 19(3)

67-77

EN

The popularity of urban tourism is associated with major tourist attractions of urban areas, such as sights of historical interest or cultural heritage. These elements are largely responsible for the intensity of tourist traffic, especially in cities without significant natural or landscape attractions. The aim of the article is to determine the attractiveness of the most popular tourist towns in the light of environmental factors, such as air pollution and the share of green areas in the total area. One interesting observation is the fact that in many cases the analysed elements of ecological status are not reflected in subjective assessments of tourist attractiveness. When selecting destinations for urban tourism, average tourists do not attach much importance to ecological factors. This aspect is only taken into account when the natural environment is an element of tourist plans. The tourism experience is very rarely evaluated in terms of potential health risks.

8

Ochrona powietrza przed zanieczyszczeniami – dlaczego w Polsce nie można odetchnąć pełną piersią?

100%

Pankowska M., Gorczyca M.

Kontrola Państwowa

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2015

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vol. 60

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issue 3 (362)

60-78

EN

At the time when Poland joined the European Union, the quality of the air in the country was far from the European standards. At the moment, the level of certain pollutants in the air is still high, which may result in legal proceedings of the European Union bodies against Poland, and consequent substantial financial charges. What is worse, it is estimated that as many as 45,000 Poles die every year due to air pollution. That is why NIK has decided to conduct an audit aimed at evaluating the activities of public entities undertaken with a view to improving the quality and protection of the air in the period between the year 2008 and the first half of the year 2014. The audit covered: the functioning of air monitoring, the development of air protection programmes by individual bodies of regional self-governments and the performance of tasks set out in these programs by competent self-government bodies, the financing of tasks related to air protection by regional funds for environmental protection and water management, as well as the coordination of activities and cooperation of organisational units with regard to the implementation of protection related measures. The audit was carried out in five regions (Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Pomorskie and Śląskie), and it covered 25 auditees.

9

RIGHT TO THE MAP? COUNTER-MAPPING PRACTICES OF SMOG ALERTS AND URBAN GREENERY MOVEMENTS IN POLAND

88%

PUTKOWSKA-SMOTER R., FRANKOWSKI J.

Society Register

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2020

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vol. 4

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issue 4

129-150

EN

Data production is becoming an emerging trend in critical urban activism. Precise and reliable public information, including spatial and environmental information, serves individual and collective ‘right to the city’ beliefs. One of the common strategies adopted by contemporary urban movements to ensure the accuracy and inclusiveness of urban data production processes are various forms of counter-mapping, which we introduce in this paper as a perspective aimed in critical evaluation of urban environmental conditions in Polish cities. By process tracing of smog alerts and urban greenery movements, we investigate the main strategies of using such tools and their effects for both particular social actors, and general urban environmental policy. We argue that the core idea of a citizen-driven collection of geographical data is strongly supported by its other features – social involvement and collective production of visualizations illustrating the scale and dynamics of particular environmental problems. In this sense, counter-mapping is aimed rather at repoliticizing urban environmental data in order to critically evaluate existing urban policy, than just to ensure greater citizen involvement in environmental decision-making.

10

Dependence of air quality conditions in cities in north-western Poland on the direction of air inflow

88%

Kicińska B., Mikulska M.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2006

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vol. 12

81-86

EN

This paper presents the dependence of air pollution with sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide on wind direction in Szczecin, Łeba, Elbląg and Zielona Góra in the period 19931999. It has been shown that the most disadvantageous air quality conditions in the cities listed above are on the days with air inflow from south-east, and the most advantageous on the days with advection from north-west. This dependence is particularly evident in the case of pollution with sulphur dioxide, especially in the cold half-year.

11

Prawo do korzystania z czystego środowiska a zanieczyszczenie powietrza w Polsce

88%

Sakson-Boulet A.

Przegląd Zachodni

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2020

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issue 4 (377)

147-166

EN

In Poland, normative levels of air pollution concentrations have not been maintained for years. Citizens who are concerned about the deteriorating quality of life and their safety have filed lawsuits against the State Treasury for damages in connection with inadequate measures taken to reduce smog. It was assumed that the achievement of the research objectives would be made possible by answering the following research questions. Firstly, does the right to use air free of pollution constitute a human right in the light of international agreements to which Poland is a party? Secondly, does Polish legislation specify a personal good consisting in the non-economic use of air that meets normative standards? A further relevant issue to be examined is whether Poles consider it important to protect a value in the form of clean air. The aim of the article is to investigate whether Polish citizens have the right to enjoy the advantages of a clean environment, particularly regarding one of its main components – the atmosphere, and to pursue this right in court. The considerations lead to the conclusion that the law stating that the use of clean air which meets normative standards is a subjective human right and a personal right protected by the provisions of the Civil Code. The method of legal analysis was primarily used to achieve the purpose of the research.

12

JAKOŚĆ POWIETRZA ATMOSFERYCZNEGO NA TERENIE „BIAŁEGO ZAGŁĘBIA” W 2016 ROKU

75%

SZWED M.

Zeszyty Naukowe. Turystyka i Rekreacja

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2017

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issue 2(20)

123-130

PL

W pracy przedstawiono podstawowe charakterystyki zanieczyszczeń powietrza w obrębie funkcjonowania przemysłu cementowo-wapienniczego w Górach Świętokrzyskich, na tle warunków meteorologicznych. Badany obszar, wyróżniający się koncentracją zakładów tworzących „Białe Zagłębie”, posiada na swoim terenie największe atrakcje turystyczne województwa świętokrzyskiego.

EN

This paper presents the basic characteristics of air pollution within the cement-lime industry in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains, against meteorological conditions. The area of interest, distinguished by the concentration of establishments forming the “Białe Zagłębie”, has in its territory the region’s greatest tourist attractions. The author tries to evaluate the coexistence of both functions: economic and touristic of the region. Key words: “Białe Zagłębie”, air pollution, tourist attractions

13

Cardiovascular changes in workers exposed to fine particulate dust

75%

Bortkiewicz A., Gadzicka E., Stroszejn-Mrowca G., Szyjkowska A., Szymczak W., Koszada-Włodarczyk W., Szadkowska-Stańczyk I.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2014

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vol. 27

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issue 1

78-92

EN

Objectives: Epidemiological studies provide evidence that airborne particulate matter may contribute to the increased incidence and mortality rates due to pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. Only some of them address the problem of occupational exposure to particulate air pollution. The aim of our study was to assess cardiovascular reaction and autonomic regulation in workers exposed to fine particles. Materials and Methods: All workers had medical examination, resting ECG with heart rate variability analysis (HRV), 24-h ECG, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) performed. The subjects were 20 male workers (mean age: 32.14.0 year) of a ceramic ware factory exposed to the dust and 20 workers who were not exposed (mean age: 39.4±7.8 year). The period of employment under exposure amounted to 5.6±2.1 year. Dust exposure was measured using individual dosimeters. Results: The geometric mean total dust concentration was 44±1.5 mg/m³ and the FPD (fine particulate dust) concentration amounted to 11.5±1.6 mg/m³. No abnormalities were noted in the resting ECG in both groups, in 24-h ECG 2 subjects, both from exposed and control groups, had ventricular heart rhythm and repolarization disturbances. Blood pressure in ABPM, both systolic as well as diastolic, was normal and did not differ between the groups. Resting heart rate in the exposed group was significantly lower (p = 0.038) than in the control group. In the exposed group STD R-R from short-term records was significantly higher (p = 0.01). Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis showed that the low frequency power spectrum (LF) did not differ in the exposed and the control group, while high frequency (HF) was significantly higher in the exposed group. LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in the exposed in comparison with the control group. Conclusions: Although we did not reveal significant abnormalities in ECG as well as in ABPM in the exposed group, it seems that neurovegetative disturbances (parasympathetic predominance) may serve as an early indicator of fine particulate dust effect on cardiovascular system.

14

Biodiesel, a ochrona środowiska

75%

Owczuk M.

Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae

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2006

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vol. 4

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issue 1

351-356

EN

The development of the automotive industry in the world causes high environmental degradation, the main source of this degradation is engine emissions. It is necessary to introduce biofuels prepared from renewable energy sources to the market due to the limited reserve of crude oil and environmental protection. Appropriate new modifications in law regulations have been prepared in European Union. Introducing alternative fuels can reduce the emissions of harmful gases and also decrease the level of pollutions in the environment.

15

Effect of residential proximity to traffic on respiratory disorders in school children in upper Silesian Industrial Zone, Poland

75%

Skrzypek M., Zejda J. E., Kowalska M., Czech E. M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2013

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vol. 26

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issue 1

83-91

EN

Objective: A number of studies show an association between traffi c-related air pollution and adverse respiratory health effects in children. However, most evidence relates to the regions with low or moderate levels of ambient air pollution. The study was undertaken to assess the impact of traffi c-related air pollution on respiratory health status in children living in the area of high levels of industrial and municipal ambient air pollution. Materials and Methods: Analyses involved data obtained from cross-sectional study on respiratory health in children (N = 5733), conducted between 2003–2004 in Bytom, one of the largest cities of Silesian Metropolis (Poland). Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was assessed by means of geographic information system and expressed as several measures of potential exposure to traffic-related air pollution, involving residential distance to major road and traffic density in the residential area. Logistic regression was used to examin association between reported respiratory health and traffic measures. Results: Statistically signifi cant association was found between doctor-diagnosed asthma and residential proximity to traffic. Results of multivariate logistic regression (logOR; 95%CI) confi rmed the effect of living in an area of a city with high-traffic-density on childhood asthma: 1.60 (1.07–2.39). Similar effects were found in case of allergic rhinitis and rhinitis symptoms, but the observed associations were not statistically signifi cant. Conclusion: The study fi ndings suggest that even in an area with poor regional ambient air quality, adverse respiratory health outcomes are more frequent in children living in a proximity to the high vehicle traffic flow

16

An assessment of PM1 levels based on indicative PM1 measurements and relationships with PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, for the analysis of hospital admissions and mortality in the Moravian region

75%

Šlachtová H., Tomášek I., Polaufová P., Hellebrandová L., Šplíchalová A., Tomášková H.

Medycyna Pracy

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2021

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vol. 72

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issue 3

249-258

EN

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a serious concern in the city of Ostrava. Thus, in 2018, a project entitled “Validation of the relationships between PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 concentrations, and morbidity and mortality, in the heavily polluted region in the Czech Republic,” was launched. The relationship between hospital admissions and mortality in the said region is based primarily on short-term PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and indicative PM1 measurement. The analysis of spatiotemporal variations and the relationship between PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 data from 3 measurement sites within the city of Ostrava is presented.Material and MethodsThe analysis was based on the daily average PM concentrations for 5 and 6 months at 2 sites, and on the annual average values (2018–2019) at the baseline station. The correlations of and variability between PM fractions, seasonal differences and explanation of the differences found were the objectives of a detailed analysis. Especially, the potential PM1 variability and its causes were analyzed with respect to the location of the site.ResultsThe study findings confirmed good correlations between the PM fractions. Compared to PM10, PM2.5 concentrations were more predictive for PM1 concentrations. The annual means of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 reached 37.5, 29.9 and 27.1 μg/m3 in 2018, respectively, and 25.8, 19.9 and 17.9 μg/m3 in 2019, respectively. The concentration levels in the non-heating season were significantly lower than in the heating season in the 2 years under consideration. The levels of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 were significantly correlated (the correlation coefficient, r > 0.96). The levels of PM2.5 represented about 0.82–0.86 of PM10, and the levels of PM1 about 0.92–0.93 of PM2.5. These ratios were found to differ in the heating and non-heating seasons, with the PM2.5–PM10 ratio ranging 0.61–0.63 in the non-heating seasons.ConclusionsThe correlations found will be used for indicative PM1 measurements in other areas of the region. Seasonal variability should be taken into account as well. Med Pr. 2021;72(3):249–58

17

Climate change disputes in the Czech Republic

75%

Vomáčka V., Jančářová I.

The Lawyer Quarterly

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2018

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vol. 8

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issue 4

409-422

EN

This chapter is aimed at describing the relationship between individual rights and climate change agenda in the Czech Republic. Firstly, the authors provide a brief description of the Czech framework policy for climate change adaptation and specific acts dealing with the climate change. After that, the means of judicial protection in climate change disputes are analysed, with a particular emphasis on the role of administraitve courts. For better understanding, the authors present the most significant decisions of the Czech courts. They conclude that the courts may provide relatively effective protection against both public and private actors. however, climate change is still a new topic with which the applicants have not yet learned to work. In some cases, which are primarily concerned with other issues such as air pollution, climate change serves more as a supporting than a stand-alone argument. This is not likely to change any time soon, because the country is not affected by climate change to the degree it would be forced to act and immediate action would be deemed necessary. Moreover, the judicial review of the state policies is not allowed, even though at the governmental level, short-term economic goals are clearly preferred to the environmental agenda.

18

An approach to represent a combined exposure to air pollution

75%

Szyszkowicz M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2015

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vol. 28

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issue 5

823-830

EN

Objectives The objective of this study was to present a technique for estimating the effect of ambient air pollution mix on health outcomes. Material and Methods We created a technique of indexing air pollution mix as a cause of the increased odds of health problems. As an illustrative example, we analyzed the impact of pollution on the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits due to colitis among young patients (age < 15 years, N = 11 110). Our technique involves 2 steps. First, we considered 6 ambient air pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and 2 measures of particulate matter) treating each pollutant as a single exposure. Odds ratios (ORs) for ED visits associated with a standard increase (interquartile range – IQR) in the pollutants levels were calculated using the case-crossover technique. The ORs and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were also found for lagged exposures (for lags 1–9 days). Second, we defined a Health Air Study Index (HASI) to represent the combined impact of the 6 air pollutants. Results We obtained positive and statistically significant results for individual air pollutants and among them the following estimations: OR = 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02–1.1, NO₂ lag 3, IQR = 12.8 ppb), OR = 1.04 (95% CI: 1.01–1.07, SO₂ lag 4, IQR = 2.3 ppb), OR = 1.04 (95% CI: 1–1.06, PM lag 3, IQR = 6.2 μg/m³). Among the re-calculated ORs with the HASI values as an exposure, the highest estimated value was OR = 1.37 (95% CI: 1.12–1.68, for 1 unit of the HASI, lag 3). Conclusions The proposed index (HASI) allows to confirm the pattern of associations for lags obtained for individual air pollutants. In the presented example the used index (HASI) indicates the strongest relation with the exposure lagged by 3 days.

19

Air pollution and emergency department visits for conjunctivitis: A case-crossover study

75%

Szyszkowicz M., Kousha T., Castner J.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2016

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vol. 29

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issue 3

381-393

EN

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between emergency department (ED) visits for conjunctivitis and ambient air pollution levels in urban regions across the province of Ontario, Canada. Material and Methods Information from the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System was used to create time-series records, for the period of April 2004 to December 2011, on emergency department visits of patients suffering from conjunctivitis. A total of 77 439 emergency department visits for conjunctivitis were analyzed. A time-stratified case-crossover design was applied, completed with meta-analysis in order to pool inter-city results. Odds ratio (OR) for an emergency department visit was calculated in different population strata per one-unit increase (one interquartile range – IQR increase in a pollutant’s daily level) while controlling for the impacts of temperature and relative humidity. Results Statistically significant positive results were observed in the female population sample, for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure lagged 5–8 days, with the highest result for the 7-day lag (OR = 1.035, 95% CI: 1.018–1.052) and for fine particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm ($\text{PM}_\text{2.5}$), for lags 6 and 7 days, with the highest result for lag 7 (OR = 1.017, 95% CI: 1.003–1.031). In the male population sample, statistically significant positive results were observed for NO₂ at lag 5 days (OR = 1.024, 95% CI: 1.004–1.045) and for ozone (O₃), at lags 0–3 and 7 days, with the highest result for lag 0 (OR = 1.038, 95% CI: 1.012–1.056). Also for males, statistically significant results were observed in the case of $\text{PM}_\text{2.5}$ exposure lagged by 5 days (OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.000–1.038) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure lagged by 1 and 2 days (OR = 1.016, 95% CI: 1.000–1.031 and OR = 1.018, 95% CI: 1.002–1.033). Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that there are associations between levels of air pollution and ED visits for conjunctivitis, with different temporal trends and strength of association by age, sex, and season.

20

Ambient ozone and bacterium Streptococcus: A link between cellulitis and pharyngitis

75%

Valacchi G., Porada E., Rowe B. H.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2015

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vol. 28

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issue 4

771-774

EN

Objectives Ambient air pollution, as many publications indicate, may have associations with skin condition. The aim of this study has been to examine such common relations for cellulitis and pharyngitis. The hypothesis is that ambient ground-level ozone may help bacteria to penetrate skin or throat. Material and Methods We used the emergency department (ED) visits data in Edmonton, Canada for the period from 1992 (April) to 2002 (March). We retrieved all the diagnosed ED visits for cellulitis and pharyngitis. Case-crossover design was used to study potential association between ozone and those visits. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results The results are reported for the interquartile range (IQR = 17.9 ppb) for 8 h maximum ozone. Positive and statistical significant results were obtained as follows: for lags from 0 to 3 (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03–1.12, lag 2); for lags from 0 to 6 days (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03–1.12, lag 3); for lags from 0 to 4 (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.09, for lag 2 and 3). Conclusions The findings suggest the response to exposure to ambient ground-level ozone for skin and pharyngitis considered separately and jointly.

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