-
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022With the desiccation of the Aral Sea, salt-alkali dust storms have increased in frequency and the surrounding environment has deteriorated. In order to increase our...
With the desiccation of the Aral Sea, salt-alkali dust storms have increased in frequency and the surrounding environment has deteriorated. In order to increase our understanding of the characteristics and potential impact zone of atmospheric aerosols in the Aral Sea region, we evaluated seasonal and diurnal variation of aerosols and identified the zone most frequently impacted by aerosols from the Aral Sea region using CALIPSO data and the HYSPLIT model. The results showed that polluted dust and dust were the two most commonly observed aerosol subtypes in the Aral Sea region with the two accounting for over 75% of observed aerosols. Occurrence frequencies of polluted dust, clean continental, polluted continental/smoke, and elevated smoke showed obvious seasonal and diurnal variations, while occurrence frequency of dust only showed obvious seasonal variation. Vertically, the occurrence frequencies of all aerosol subtypes except dust showed significant diurnal variation at all levels. The thickness of polluted dust layers and dust layers exhibited same seasonal and diurnal variations with a value of more than 1.0 km year-round, and the layer thickness of clean continental and polluted continental/smoke shared the same seasonal and diurnal variation features. The zone most severely impacted by aerosols from the Aral Sea region, covering an area of approximately 2 million km, was mainly distributed in the vicinity of the Aral Sea region, including western Kazakhstan, and most of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The results provide direct support for positioning monitoring of aeolian dust deposition and human health protection in the Aral Sea region.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants; Seasons; Aerosols; Dust; Smoke; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 36361020
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114144 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023Dust pollution in open-pit coal mines severely restricts the green development of mines. Therefore, dust control has become an important requirement for the sustainable...
Dust pollution in open-pit coal mines severely restricts the green development of mines. Therefore, dust control has become an important requirement for the sustainable development of the mining industry. With the goal of dust pollution prevention and control in open-pit coal mines, this paper puts forward the concept of a non-disturbance area of an open-pit coal mine. It clarifies the characteristics of dust generation, the coverage area, and the dust particle size distribution characteristics of the non-disturbance area. Taking the dust control at the dump site as an example, the study comprehensively utilizes indoor tests and field tests to develop a dust suppressant for the dump site and determine its dust suppression efficiency and effective service cycle. The results show that the D10, D50, and D90 particle sizes of dust in the non-disturbance area are smaller than those in the disturbance area, and the difference in particle size of D90 is the most obvious. Gelatinized starch and non-ionic polyacrylamide, as the main components of the dust suppressant, can effectively reduce dust pollution in the dump; the optimal concentration is 1.0%, and the dust suppression service cycle is more than one month. The developed dust suppressant does not contain corrosive, toxic, or heavy metal elements. Although the application of a dust suppressant will cause plant growth to lag, it does not affect plant health. The research findings serve as a reference for the zoning treatment of dust in open-pit mines.
Topics: Dust; Coal; Mining; Environmental Pollution; Metals, Heavy; Coal Mining
PubMed: 36673689
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020934 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022Coal dust pollution poses a serious public health threat. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of creating a coal dust suppressant using molasses, a byproduct...
Coal dust pollution poses a serious public health threat. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of creating a coal dust suppressant using molasses, a byproduct of the sugar industry. We studied the effects of a molasses solution of varying concentrations (i.e., ranging from 0% (pure water) to 40%) on the moisture, bonding, and wind erosion properties of coal dust. Overall, the effectiveness of the molasses increased with their concentration, and it manifested itself in the following way: (1) the molasses improved the anti-evaporation ability of wet coal dust. For example, the evaporation mass of the coal dust wetted using a molasses solution decreased by 82.8%; (2) molasses effectively agglutinated coal dust; (3) molasses can effectively decrease the surface tension and increase the viscosity of the wetting solution. The surface tension of the molasses solution reached 41.37 mN/m and the viscosity increased to 6.79 mPa·s; (4) molasses can significantly suppress the wind erosion of deposited coal dust, with its wind erosion mass decreasing 99.1%; finally, (5) the effectiveness of molasses at suppressing coal dust was discussed at a molecular level. This study highlights the feasibility of a low-cost and environment-friendly dust suppressant in coal mines.
Topics: Coal; Molasses; Coal Mining; Dust; Environmental Pollution; Minerals
PubMed: 36554363
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416472 -
Chemosphere Jan 2020Polychlorinated n-alkanes or chlorinated paraffins (CPs) contain a magnitude of structural isomers and are categorized as short-chain (SCCPs), medium-chain (MCCPs), and...
Polychlorinated n-alkanes or chlorinated paraffins (CPs) contain a magnitude of structural isomers and are categorized as short-chain (SCCPs), medium-chain (MCCPs), and long-chain (LCCPs) CPs, according to the carbon chain lengths. In this study the ƩSCCPs, ƩMCCPs, and ƩLCCP concentrations are reported for South African indoor dust and pet cat hair. The median concentrations of the ƩCPs (C-C) ranged from 33 to 663 μg/g for freshly collected dust (FD), 36-488 μg/g for dust collected from household vacuum cleaner bags (VD), and 1.2-15 μg/g for cat hair (CH) samples. MCCPs were the dominant CP group, followed by SCCPs and LCCPs. The ƩMCCP concentration ranged from 13 to 498 μg/g in dust and 0.6-6.5 μg/g in cat hair. SCCPs with shorter carbon chains and lower chlorine substitution were observed in cat hair. LCCPs with carbon chains > C were detected in dust and hair samples, possibly indicating the use of wax grade LCCP formulations. Non-traditional Kendrick mass defect plots were used to obtain information on the magnitude of CPs and provide evidence of possible interfering compounds. This is the first report on the occurrence of SCCPs, MCCPs, and LCCPs in the South African indoor environment.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Animals; Cats; Dust; Environmental Monitoring; Hair; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Paraffin; South Africa
PubMed: 31473532
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124643 -
Nature Communications Sep 2022By darkening the snow surface, mineral dust and black carbon (BC) deposition enhances snowmelt and triggers numerous feedbacks. Assessments of their long-term impact at...
By darkening the snow surface, mineral dust and black carbon (BC) deposition enhances snowmelt and triggers numerous feedbacks. Assessments of their long-term impact at the regional scale are still largely missing despite the environmental and socio-economic implications of snow cover changes. Here we show, using numerical simulations, that dust and BC deposition advanced snowmelt by 17 ± 6 days on average in the French Alps and the Pyrenees over the 1979-2018 period. BC and dust also advanced by 10-15 days the peak melt water runoff, a substantial effect on the timing of water resources availability. We also demonstrate that the decrease in BC deposition since the 1980s moderates the impact of current warming on snow cover decline. Hence, accounting for changes in light-absorbing particles deposition is required to improve the accuracy of snow cover reanalyses and climate projections, that are crucial for better understanding the past and future evolution of mountain social-ecological systems.
Topics: Carbon; Climate Change; Dust; Snow; Soot; Water
PubMed: 36127334
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32501-y -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2022The present study aims to investigate the sources of particulate pollution in indoor and outdoor environments, with focus on determining their contribution to the...
The present study aims to investigate the sources of particulate pollution in indoor and outdoor environments, with focus on determining their contribution to the exposure of children to airborne particulate matter (PM). To this end, parallel indoor and outdoor measurements were carried out for a selection of 40 homes and 5 schools between September 2017 and October 2018. PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 samples were collected during five days in each microenvironment (ME) and analysed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), for the determination of elements, and by a thermal-optical technique, for the measurement of organic and elemental carbon. The source apportionment analysis of the PM composition data, by means of the receptor model SoFi (Source Finder) 8 Pro, resulted in the identification of nine sources: exhaust and non-exhaust emissions from traffic, secondary particles, heavy oil combustion, industry, sea salt, soil, city dust, and an indoor source characterized by high levels of organic carbon. Integrated daily exposure to PM2.5 was on average 21 μg/m. The organic matter, resulting from cleaning, cooking, smoking and biological material, was the major source contributing by 31% to the PM2.5 exposure. The source city dust, which was highly influenced by the resuspension of dust in classrooms, was the second main source (26%), followed by traffic (24%). The major sources affecting the integrated exposure to PM10, which was on average 33 μg/m, were the city dust (39%), indoor organics (24%) and traffic (16%). This study provides important information for the design of measures to reduce the exposure of children to PM.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Carbon; Child; Dust; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Particle Size; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 35461945
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155349 -
Computational Intelligence and... 2022Dust pollution in construction sites is an invisible hazard that is often ignored as a nuisance. Regulatory and engineering control methods are predominantly used for...
Dust pollution in construction sites is an invisible hazard that is often ignored as a nuisance. Regulatory and engineering control methods are predominantly used for its mitigation. To control dust, dust-generating activities and their magnitudes need to be established. While researchers have comprehensively studied dust emissions of construction work, prediction of dust concentrations based on work phases and climatic conditions is still lacking. To overcome the above knowledge gap, this article selected two construction stages of a project to monitor dust generation using the HXF-35 dust sampler. Based on the collected data, dust emission characteristics of these two stages are studied, and dust emission characteristics under multiple pollution sources are analyzed. Based on the results, a BP neural network model is built to perform simulations of dust emission concentrations in different work areas and predict construction dust concentrations under different conditions. Except few, the majority of the work areas monitored have exceeded the allowable upper limit of TSP concentration stipulated by relevant standards. In addition, dust emission differences of work areas are pronounced. The results verified that the BP neural network dust concentration prediction model is feasible to be used to predict dust concentration changes in different work faces under different climate conditions and to provide a scientific base for pollution control. This study provides several practical solutions where the prediction of dust concentrations at designated work areas will allow construction companies early warning to implement mitigation measures before it becomes a serious health hazard. In addition, it provides an opportunity to re-evaluate those hazardous work in the light of these revelations. The outcome of this study is both original and useful for both construction companies and regulatory agencies. It can better predict the concentration of construction dust in different operating areas and different weather conditions and provide a guide for the prevention and control of construction dust.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Dust; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 35845895
DOI: 10.1155/2022/7349001 -
Environment International Jul 2022Melamine (MEL) and its derivatives are increasingly applied as nitrogenous flame retardants in consumer products. Nevertheless, limited information is available on their...
Melamine (MEL) and its derivatives are increasingly applied as nitrogenous flame retardants in consumer products. Nevertheless, limited information is available on their environmental occurrence and subsequent human exposure via multiple exposure pathways. In this study, we analysed MEL and its derivatives in dust (indication of the dust ingestion route) and hand wipe samples (indication of the hand-to-mouth route) collected in various microenvironments. The levels of ∑MELs in both dust (median: 24,100 ng/g) and participant hand samples (803 ng/m) collected in e-waste dismantling workshops were significantly higher than those in samples collected in homes (15,600 ng/g and 196 ng/m, respectively), dormitories (13,100 ng/g and 227 ng/m, respectively) and hotel rooms (11,800 ng/g and 154 ng/m, respectively). Generally, MEL dominated in dust samples collected in e-waste dismantling workshops, whereas cyanuric acid dominated in hand wipe samples. This may occur partly because the latter is an ingredient in disinfection products, which are more frequently employed in daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Exposure assessment suggests that dust ingestion is an important exposure pathway among dismantling workers and the general population, whereas hand-to-mouth contact could not be overlooked in certain populations, such as children and dismantling workers not wear gloves at work.
Topics: COVID-19; Child; Dust; Eating; Electronic Waste; Humans; Mouth; Pandemics; Triazines
PubMed: 35597114
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107299 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022Ageing processes of vehicle catalytic converters inevitably lead to the release of Pt and Pd into the environment, road dust being the main sink. Though Pt and Pd are...
Ageing processes of vehicle catalytic converters inevitably lead to the release of Pt and Pd into the environment, road dust being the main sink. Though Pt and Pd are contained in catalytic converters in nanoparticulate metallic form, under environmental conditions, they can be transformed into toxic dissolved species. In the present work, the distribution of Pt and Pd between dissolved, nanoparticulate, and microparticulate fractions of Moscow road dust is assessed. The total concentrations of Pt and Pd in dust vary in the ranges 9-142 ng (mean 35) and 155-456 (mean 235) ng g, respectively. The nanoparticulate and dissolved species of Pt and Pd in dust were studied using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The median sizes of nanoparticulate Pt and Pd were 7 and 13 nm, respectively. The nanoparticulate fraction of Pt and Pd in Moscow dust is only about 1.6-1.8%. The average contents of dissolved fraction of Pt and Pd are 10.4% and 4.1%, respectively. The major fractions of Pt and Pd (88-94%) in road dust are associated with microparticles. Although the microparticulate fractions of Pt and Pd are relatively stable, they may become dissolved under changing environmental conditions and, hence, transformed into toxic species.
Topics: Dust; Environmental Monitoring; Palladium; Platinum; Rhodium; Vehicle Emissions
PubMed: 36144840
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186107 -
International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2020Exposure science is underpinned by characterization (measurement) of exposures. In this article, six recent advances in exposure characterization by sampling and... (Review)
Review
Exposure science is underpinned by characterization (measurement) of exposures. In this article, six recent advances in exposure characterization by sampling and analysis are reviewed as tools in the occupational exposure assessment of aerosols. Three advances discussed in detail are (1) recognition and inclusion of sampler wall deposits; (2) development of a new sampling and analytical procedure for respirable crystalline silica that allows non-destructive field analysis at the end of the sampling period; and (3) development of a new sampler to collect the portion of sub-300 nm aerodynamic diameter particles that would deposit in human airways. Three additional developments are described briefly: (4) a size-selective aerosol sampler that allows the collection of multiple physiologically-relevant size fractions; (5) a miniaturized pump and versatile sampling head to meet multiple size-selective sampling criteria; and (6) a novel method of sampling bioaerosols including viruses while maintaining viability. These recent developments are placed in the context of the historical evolution in sampling and analytical developments from 1900 to the present day. While these are not the only advances in exposure characterization, or exposure assessment techniques, they provide an illustration of how technological advances are adding more tools to our toolkit. The review concludes with a number of recommended areas for future research, including expansion of real-time and end-of-shift on-site measurement, development of samplers that operate at higher flow-rates to ensure measurement at lowered limit values, and development of procedures that accurately distinguish aerosol and vapor phases of semi-volatile substances.
Topics: Aerosols; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Dust; Environmental Monitoring; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Particle Size
PubMed: 32962023
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186820