Effect of Children's Stay on Aerosol and Concentration of Light Air Ions During Speleotherapy in the Cisarska Cave

Abstract

Speleotherapy is a therapeutic method mainly for asthma using the specific conditions of underground spaces, here karst caves. A significant effect of low concentrations of allergens, dust particles is reported. The value of permittivity and higher conductivity of the limestone walls of the cave play a decisive role. This is due to both the high humidity in the karst cave and the high concentration of light negative ions. Both of these factors co-create a favourable speleotherapy cave environment. The Cisarska cave contains many small lakes and is very clean. This is ensured by regular cleaning of the cave with a stream of water and controlled visitation, when it is not accessible to ordinary tourists. The treatment plan is designed in the light of long-term experience and shows good results. In the present paper, the concentration of light negative ions was monitored in relation to the surrounding weather, in particular the effect of temperature, atmospheric pressure and vegetation condition on the concentration of light negative ions. This measurement was carried out in several rounds and showed the different recovery time of the cave depending on the external weather conditions. At the same time, the concentration of aerosols in the cave was measured, as these can be affected by light air ions. The particles with the smallest radius took the longest time to sediment, while coarse particles were removed from the space the fastest. As a result of the research, the average recovery time of the cave during the stay of a group of pediatric patients was determined.