Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, cilt.26, sa.10, ss.5965-5970, 2017 (SCI-Expanded)
Visiting caves is an increasingly important tourism activity today. Because of this trend, caves draw thousands of people every year. However, visiting caves can lead to some serious health problems. For example, the concentration of harmful gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), may exceed the critical level during the visit of a group of tourists. Within the outline of this research, Safranbolu Bulak Mencilis Cave was chosen, which has a high potential for visit by cavers and tourists. The purpose of this research on cave's air quality is to measure the amounts of CO2 and particulate matter. The research was conducted in June 2016 during a visit to the cave with 25-meter intervals using an average from portable air measurement devices in various corners. Starting at the entrance of the cave, the study concluded that the amount of CO2 increased rapidly: from 50 meters inside the cave entrance it was 1,200 ppm, and increased to 2500 ppm at150 meters inside. The amount of particulate matter in the caves was determined to reduce progressively the deeper into the cave. These results indicate that when the tourists' visits occur, the indoor air quality may change and some health problems may arise, especially from the effect of rising amounts of CO2. This may cause headaches, dizziness, throat and nose irritation, sneezing, coughing, and tears.