Chemistry and particle size distribution of respirable coal dust in underground mines in Central Eastern Europe

Despite international efforts to limit worker exposure to coal dust,it continues to impact the health of thousands of miners across Europe.Airborne coal dust has been studied to improve risk models and its control to protect workers.Particle size distribution analyses shows that using spraying systems to suppress airborne dusts can reduce particulate matter concentrations and that coals with higher ash yields produce finer dust.There are marked chemical differences between parent coals and relatively coarse deposited dusts(up to _(500)μm,DD_(500)).Enrichments in Ca,K,Ba,Se,Pb,Cr,Mo,Ni and especially As,Sn,Cu,Zn and Sb in the finest respirable dust fractions could originate from:(i)mechanical machinery wear;(ii)variations in coal mineralogy;(iii)coal fly ash used in shotcrete,and carbonates used to reduce the risk of explosions.Unusual enrichments in Ca in mine dusts are attributed to the use of such concrete,and elevated K to raised levels of phyllosilicate mineral matter.Sulphur concentrations are higher in the parent coal than in the DD_(500),probably due to relatively lower levels of organic matter.Mass concentrations of all elements observed in this study remained below occupational exposure limits.

Origin and SEM analysis of aerosols in the high mountain of Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Focusing on aerosolized matter of relevance to respiratory health, a major public health issue worldwide, we studied mineral and biological aerosol (bioaerosol) composition (TSP and PM2.5) and geographical origins during dust intrusions in the Canary Islands. Seven days’ back- ward trajectories were assessed daily during March 2004 with the ends of back trajectories being the sampling station of Iza?a (high moun- tain, 2360 m a.s.l. at the Ca?adas del Teide National Park, Tenerife island), a free troposphere site allowing characterization of dust with low influence of other pollutant sources. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to survey major types of airborne particles in the dust plumes. Control, non-intrusion conditions correspond to Atlantic oceanic middle troposphere (OMT) air masses. Of the 14 samples taken, 1 corresponded to a control (clear atmosphere conditions), and the remaining 13 to dust intrusions, with the following sources: African Dust;EAM: mixture of Europe, Africa and Oceanic;MaA: maritime aerosols. Of the air masses, 79% were directly transported to the islands from Africa, and an increase of African dust events was detected when comparing with a 52-year previous data sequence. Quartz microcristals and aggregates of quartz and platy clay were the dominant minerals identified, with marine salt and gypsum also present. Freshwater diatom tests (from two Aulacoseira species) represented the most important biogenic aerosols, although fungi and pollen were also detected. The diverse and complex mixture of respirable particles in large quantities in airborne dust, especially from nearby Sahara and from the Sahelian region, is of maximum interest for air- way pathology in the Canaries, including the highly visited highlands in Tenerife.

Synthesis of zeolites using fly ash and their application in removing heavy metals from waters

Three types of zeolite (NaP1 zeolite, analcime and chabazite) were hydrothermally synthesized by reacting fly ash with NaOH solution. The maximum conversion rate from fly ash to single zeolite is about 40%—75%, and the total conversion rate 60%—80%. The synthesis experimental results indicate that factors including vortex, viscosity, temperature, reaction time, and NaOH concentration in the reaction system strongly affect the type and conversion rate of zeolites. The batch experiments of removing Cu2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewaters show that the adsorption capacity of zeolites synthesized is higher than that of fly ash.

The potential leaching and mobilization of trace elements from FGD-gypsum of a coal-fired power plant under water re-circulation conditions

Experimental and geochemical modelling studies were carried out to identify mineral and solid phases containing major, minor, and trace elements and the mechanism of the retention of these elements in Flue Gas Desulphurisation（FGD）-gypsum samples from a coal-fired power plant under filtered water recirculation to the scrubber and forced oxidation conditions. The role of the p H and related environmental factors on the mobility of Li, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Mo, and U from FGD-gypsums for a comprehensive assessment of element leaching behaviour were also carried out. Results show that the extraction rate of the studied elements generally increases with decreasing the p H value of the FGD-gypsum leachates. The increase of the mobility of elements such as U, Se, and As in the FGD-gypsum entails the modification of their aqueous speciation in the leachates; UO2SO4, H2 Se, and HAs O2 are the aqueous complexes with the highest activities under acidic conditions.The speciation of Zn, Li, and Ni is not affected in spite of p H changes; these elements occur as free cations and associated to SO4 ^2 in the FGD-gypsum leachates. The mobility of Cu and Mo decreases by decreasing the p H of the FGD-gypsum leachates, which might be associated to the precipitation of Cu Se2 and Mo Se2, respectively. Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry of the solid phase combined with geochemical modelling of the aqueous phase has proved useful in understanding the mobility and geochemical behaviour of elements and their partitioning into FGD-gypsum samples.

An evaluation of mass,number concentration,chemical composition and types of particles in a cafeteria before and after the passage of an antismoking law

This study assessed air quality indicators before and after enactment of the Spanish anti-smoking law. Mass and number concentrations and the chemical composition of particles were evaluated. Microscopy analyses were also conducted. Real time concentrations of PMlo, PM2.s, PM1 and ultrafine particles were measured under ventilated and non-ventilated conditions and PMlo samples were collected for detailed inorganic and organic chemical characterization. Before enactment of the law in 2010, tobacco smoke produced significant indoor ambient particulate matter pollution, with elevated particulate matter mass concentrations （PM10 and PM1 concentrations of 122-220 and 48-85 Dg/m3, respectively） and ultrafine particle numbers （75,000 and 48,000 cm ~ under ventilated and non-ventilated conditions, respectively）. Typical tobacco smoke tracers including iso- and anteiso-alkanes and elements including La and Ce from the ignition of lighters were abundant. Additionally, several toxic substances derived from tobacco smoke, including Cd （3.1 ng/m3） and benzo[a]pyrene （1.0 ng/m3） were present at concentrations approximately 10 times greater than those measured after enactment of the anti-smoking law. The anti-smoking law sig- nificantly reduced exposure to potentially toxic compounds by approximately 90%. This law is expected to have a positive health impact, particularly for people who spend considerable time in affected envi- ronments, such as employees.