Combined silicosis and mixed dust pneumoconiosis with rapid progression: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Rapidly progressive pneumoconiosis(RPP) occasionally occurs in coal workers, particularly those with high exposure to silica. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old male miller with RPP. CASE SUMMARY The patient had a persistent cough for one month and had been clinically diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in 2011. He worked in a stone processing factory from the ages of 20 through 37 and has owned his own mill for the past 25 years. His chest radiograph showed significant increases in the size and number of lung nodules since his last follow-up in 2013. By percutaneous needle lung biopsy, the nodular lesions showed diffuse infiltration of phagocytic macrophages and birefringent crystals by polarizing microscopy. He was finally diagnosed with RPP of mixed dust pneumoconiosis combined with silicosis. CONCLUSION In this case, mixed dust pneumoconiosis with silicosis might be accelerated by persistent exposure to graindust from working in a mill environment.

Measurement of Residual Volume in Patients with Pneumoconiosis and Workers Exposed to Cement Dust

The Residual Volume (RV) and Functional ResidualCapacity (FRC) were measured in 49 male workers exposedto cement dust (group A) and 50 male patients with pneu-moconiosis (group B). These data were compared withthose in 84 healthy workers (group C). Data from groupA, B exhibited mixed or obstructed ventilation dysfunction.The means of RV%, FRC% in group A were 31.2～35.6%and 56.7～59.3% respectively. These values were not onlysignificantly higher than those of the group C, but alsohigher than those of group B. The individual abnormaldetecting rates of RV% in group A, B were 26.5% and52.0% respectively, remarkably higher than 9.5% in thegroup C. It seems that RV% can be used as an individualscreening test in clinical practice. In physiologic terms,It has been recognized that FRC might more objectively.reflect the changes in quasi-static mechanics in community.The impact factors of RV might be related to quasi-staticmechanics other than to those of strength of respiratorymuscles, resistance of airway and collapsibility of bron-chial walls.

Dust Retention Ability of Plants as a Factor Improving Environment Air

It is well known that air in industrial cities contains a significant amount of dust particles, smoke, and toxic gases. The increased number of vehicles has a direct impact on air quality resulting in the emission of exhaust gases, and the increase of dust concentration in air. In this article, we are describing the dust retention ability of plants depending on their leaf structure. Plant species were classified into three groups according to their dust-holding capacities. Dust retaining ability of plant species in conditions of high, average and low dust conditions described.

The Influence of Fabric Structural Parameters on Dust Retention Using a Simple, Newly Constructed Device

This article has been directed to Environment Protection Technology with the purpose of providing a new instrument designed and developed to measure filtration efficiency through the relationship between clean cloth fabric structural parameters, dust parameters, and test measuring variables. Fabric samples used throughout the present study were woven cotton 100%, polyester 100% and cotton/polyester 50/50%. The warp count: 30/2 for all fabric samples, the weft count is 9/1;12/1;and 20/1. The weave of satin, basket, and twill is 3/1 with four different picks/cm to produce the fabrics with the same cover factor. For dust separation fabrics range in weight from “300 - 450 g/m2” with an air permeability of “100 - 300 l/d m2·min” at “196.2 Pa” (20 mm WG) as specified in DIN 53887. Air permeability through fabrics depends entirely on the sieving percent of the surface of the fabric, which is partly the pores and partly the permeability through the yarns, which are the basic elements of a fabric. The results showed that dust capturing depends entirely on air permeability, which is related to fabric weave structure and fabric material at specified testing and measuring variables.

An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines,1986-2018

In the United States,an unexpected and severe increase in coal miners’lung diseases in the late 1990s prompted researchers to investigate the causes of the disease resurgence.This study aims to scrutinize the effects of various mining parameters,including coal rank,mine size,mine operation type,coal seam height,and geographical location on the prevalence of coal worker’s pneumoconiosis(CWP)in surface and underground coal mines.A comprehensive dataset was created using the U.S.Mine Safety and Health Administration(MSHA)Employment and Accident/Injury databases.The information was merged based on the mine ID by utilizing SQL data management software.A total number of 123,589 mine-year observations were included in the statistical analysis.Generalized Estimating Equation(GEE)model was used to conduct a statistical analysis on a total of 29,707,and 32,643 mine-year observations for underground and surface coal mines,respectively.The results of the econometrics approach revealed that coal workers in underground coal mines are at a greater risk of CWP comparing to those of surface coal operations.Furthermore,underground coal mines in the Appalachia and Interior regions are at a higher risk of CWP prevalence than the Western region.Surface coal mines in the Appalachian coal region are more likely to CWP development than miners in the Western region.The analysis also indicated that coal workers working in smaller mines are more vulnerable to CWP than those in large mine sizes.Furthermore,coal workers in thin-seam underground mine operations are more likely to develop CWP.

Water-retaining properties of NCZ composite dust suppressant and its wetting ability to hydrophobic coal dust

Coal dust is a primary threat to underground coal miners.The most common approach to control coal dust is hydraulic methods,such as water spray and coal seam water injection.To improve the dust suppressant efficiency of hydraulic methods,a novel chemical composite dust suppressant,called NCZ,was prepared in this study using calcium chloride(CaCl_(2)),magnesium chloride(MgCl_(2)),and nonionic surfactants using a thermal synthesis method.The water-retaining properties of NCZ powder and its solutions were characterized using the water absorption rate(WAR)and evaporation rate(ER),respectively,and the wetting abilities of the NCZ solutions on coal dust were tested using the initial contact angle(ICA)and sink rate(SR).The results indicate that the NCZ solutions have anti-evaporation effects,and the ER of the solution with a 20.0 wt%NCZ is reduced by 11.7%compared with that of clean water.Furthermore,NCZ solutions have remarkable enhancement effects on the wettability of coal dust.The ICA and SR of clean water and the NCZ solution at 20.0 wt%are 141.9°and 0 mg/s,and 29.3°and 1.46 mg/s,respectively.Finally,quantitative relationships between the solution surface tension and the ICA and IR were established using the least squares method.This study provides a new product for dust suppression in underground mines,which is significant for the optimum applied con-centration of dust suppressant in mining operations.

A systematic review of occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust(RCMD)in the U.S.mining industry

Cumulative inhalation of respirable coal mine dust(RCMD)can lead to severe lung diseases,including coal worker's pneu-moconiosis(CWP),silicosis,mixed dust pneumoconiosis,dust-related diffuse fibrosis(DDF),and progressive massive fibrosis(PMF).Statistics from the number of reported cases showed a significant decrease in the progression of respiratory diseases in the 1990s.However,an unexpected increase in the number of CWP cases was reported in the late 1990s.To date,there has been no comprehensive systematic review to assess all contributing factors to the resurgence of CWP cases.This study aims to investigate the effects of various mining parameters on the prevalence of CWP in coal mines.A systematic review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis(PRISMA)method was conducted to investigate the health effects of RCMD exposure and identify the factors that may contribute to the recent resurgence of CWP cases.The systematic review yielded a total of 401 papers,which were added to the database.The total number of 148 and 208 papers were excluded from the database in the process of screening and eligibility,respectively.Then,18 papers were considered for data selection and full-text assessment.The review revealed that factors including geographic location,mine size,mining operation type,coal-seam thickness,coal rank,changes in mining practices,technology advancement,and engi-neering dust control practices are contributing to the recent resurgence of CWP among coal workers.However,the evidence for root causes is limited owing to the methodological constraints of the studies;therefore,further detailed studies are needed.

我国非煤矿山职业健康防控技术研究现状、挑战及展望

矿业是现代工业的粮食,在国民经济发展中发挥着不可替代的作用,但采矿过程伴随众多职业危害因素,给工人职业健康与安全造成极大影响。采用文献查阅、现场调研、访谈交流等方法,并基于团队已有研究积累,对新中国成立以来我国非煤矿山职业健康防控技术研究现状进行了综述,并分析了当前面临的主要挑战。结果表明:我国非煤矿山职业危害主要涉及粉尘、噪声、高温等7类因素,存在“点多、面广、源强”的显著特点,防治难度大;在7类职业危害因素中,粉尘危害最为突出,且爆破粉尘、强疏水性微细粉尘、井下喷浆粉尘与高寒、低气压、超大规模开采粉尘防治是目前面临的主要挑战。在上述分析的基础上,指出我国非煤矿山职业健康防护技术未来发展方向为健全非煤矿山职业危害监管体系、强化职业危害控制科技创新与实践、推行职业危害防控专业化社会服务、坚持职业危害个性化与综合防治、探索职业危害智能化防治技术,逐步形成以监管落实为驱动、科技创新为抓手、社会服务为目标的科学发展模式,切实提高非煤矿山职业危害因素防治效果,保障工人职业健康与安全。

基于改进遗传算法的电厂粉尘监测节点覆盖控制研究

为有效降低粉尘环境监测中存在盲区和管控缺失的风险,优化火电厂粉尘环境监测系统的节点覆盖控制,延长无线传感器网络(WSN)寿命,提出一种基于改进遗传算法的节能优化方法。首先构建基于节点覆盖率、节点布设总能耗和节点通信传输总能耗的网络覆盖质量目标函数;然后针对传统遗传算法存在局部最优和编码重复的问题,提出整数编码的染色体组合方案、自适应调节交叉和变异概率的方法,以及精英保留策略;最后通过仿真对比分析,确定优化后的节点数量和分布方案。结果表明:改进的遗传算法显著提高了收敛速度,所需迭代次数减少至20次,适应度值优化52.18%;在节点部署和覆盖研究中,优化后的节点数量为42个,覆盖率达97.28%,节点休眠率为76.19%,有效提升了火电厂粉尘环境监测系统的节能效果。

矿井高效抑尘剂优化配方及性能研究

以某煤矿掘进工作面粉尘为研究对象,开展矿井高效抑尘剂优化配方及性能研究。通过沉降实验,确定高效抑尘剂优化配方的润湿剂组分为2%的TX-100和0.5%的SDBS混合溶液;通过黏度测定实验,确定优化配方的黏结剂组分为E412;通过保水性实验,确定优化配方的保水抑尘剂组分为PAAS;通过抑尘剂溶液的酸碱度测定实验,确定选用PHOS调节溶液的pH值为6.8;最终研究得到矿井高效抑尘剂GHY-1配方组分及比例。性能测定实验结果表明:高效抑尘剂优化配方表面张力为68.15 mN/m,左、右接触角分别为11.25°和10.85°,黏度值为0.4mPa·s,保水率为80.5%,降尘效率可达95.3%。

无机盐协同表面活性剂对煤尘保湿性影响

为保障煤矿安全生产和工人健康,煤矿井下主要采取的防尘手段是湿式除尘和化学抑尘。通过保水性实验探究无机盐与表面活性剂溶液各自及协同作用下的抑尘保湿性效果。实验结果表明:由于四种表面活性剂的分子结构和性质不同,形成分子层的稳定性和厚度不同,十二烷基苯磺酸钠溶液(SDBS)的保湿性最强,聚乙二醇对异辛基苯基醚溶液(Triton X-100)的保湿性最弱。当表面活性剂SDS与SDBS溶液质量分数分别为0.24%、0.04%,无机盐K_(2)SO_(4)的浓度0.9mol/L,且SDS与SDBS比例为5∶5,SDS+SDBS的混合溶液与K_(2)SO_(4)比例同样为5∶5时,煤尘水分散失最少,复合溶液润湿保湿性能最佳。硫酸钾溶液对复合溶液的疏水端产生析出作用,导致煤尘疏水端的疏水作用增强,更多表面活性剂分子逃逸水相后向液-气界面聚集,从而降低溶液的表面张力。

北京5种典型风景游憩林的大气颗粒物吸滞特征

【目的】探究不同树种在叶片和冠层尺度上吸滞大气颗粒物的特征,解析相同污染背景下不同树种单叶和林分冠层对大气颗粒物吸滞特征的变异,为营建能够高效吸滞大气颗粒物的城市森林提供理论依据。【方法】对北京市五环路周围具有代表性的平原风景游憩林进行调查后,选择奥林匹克公园内5片典型风景游憩林(华山松-银杏混交林、毛白杨-白蜡混交林、旱柳纯林、毛白杨纯林、多树种复层针阔混交林)作为研究对象,采用洗脱称量粒度分析法得到各树种单位叶面积大气颗粒物吸滞量,通过叶面积指数计算每公顷各树种对不同径级颗粒物的吸滞量,依据各树种冠层占整个林分冠层的面积比例计算纯林或混交林单位面积林分对不同径级颗粒物的吸滞量。【结果】不同林分各树种叶片吸滞大气颗粒物的粒径分布特征存在显著差异,单位面积叶片颗粒物吸滞量在树种间的差异随颗粒物径级和林分类型有所改变。单叶尺度上,各树种对不同径级大气颗粒物的吸滞能力综合排序为银杏>圆柏>元宝枫>栾树>华山松>侧柏>白蜡>旱柳>毛白杨。不同林分冠层对大气颗粒物的吸滞能力差异明显,相差倍数高达20倍左右;各类型林分单位面积的大气颗粒物吸滞量大小不随颗粒物径级而变化,对所有径级颗粒物均为华山松-银杏混交林的吸滞量最高,然后依次为多树种针阔混交林、旱柳纯林、毛白杨-白蜡混交林和毛白杨纯林。【结论】本研究9个树种中,银杏、圆柏和元宝枫为高滞尘树种,栾树、华山松和侧柏为中等滞尘树种,白蜡、旱柳和毛白杨为低滞尘树种;能够对大气颗粒物进行高效吸滞的林分结构特征为含多个高滞尘树种+具有多层林冠+林木疏密相间,欲使城市森林发挥其大气颗粒物吸滞效能,需同时关注高滞尘树种选择及合理林分结构设计。

煤层注射成胶型抑尘剂影响因素及抑尘效果研究

为解决煤层注水降抑尘技术中水分易流失,开采时注水抑尘效果较差等问题,提出一种既能增加煤层保水率又能改善煤层脆性的抑尘方法:研制出以海藻酸钠(SA)为基质的成胶型抑尘剂,并开展比表面积试验、氮气吸附试验、扫描电镜试验和产尘率试验,研究表面活性剂、黏度及注射压力对成胶型抑尘剂的影响。结果表明:表面活性剂有利于煤层润湿,但对抑尘效果影响较小;抑尘剂黏度增大有利于保水,可使保水时间由10 h提升至30 h,但会导致材料难以进入煤层内部;注射压力对于抑尘剂的抑尘效果具有较大影响,当煤层注射压力较小时,抑尘剂难以快速渗入煤的内部孔隙中,随着压力的增大,抑尘剂逐渐渗入煤孔隙中。当注射压力升至3 MPa后,抑尘效果不再随压力的增加而增加,产尘率由4%降低至2.3%,相对降幅达50%,有效降低了产尘。

青岛市3种常绿灌木滞尘量与叶微观特征及光合作用等的相关性分析

为探讨滞尘后3种灌木叶片叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数以及气体交换参数的变化,分析叶面微结构以及叶绿素荧光参数、气体交换参数与植物滞尘量的相关性。以青岛市城阳区3种常见的常绿灌木为研究对象,通过3级滤膜过滤法测定各灌木单位叶面积滞留不同粒径颗粒物(TSP、PM>10、PM_(10)、PM_(2.5))的质量,通过扫描电镜观察比较3种常绿灌木的叶表面微形态特征。结果表明,1)3种灌木叶片单位叶面积滞尘能力为火棘>瓜子黄杨>小叶女贞。2)电镜扫描叶表面微结构可知,叶表面粗糙、下表皮气孔较多且分布密集,起伏大,存在不规则条纹组织及沟状组织的植物有利于颗粒物的附着,主成分分析发现3种灌木的单位叶面积TSP仅与植物的下表皮沟槽宽度呈现出正相关关系,与其他指标无显著相关性。3)滞尘后3种灌木叶片叶绿素含量、最大光化学效率(F_(v)/F_(m))和光化学猝灭系数(qP)显著(P<0.05)低于滞尘前处理,而非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)则显著高于滞尘前处理;此外,3种灌木叶片净光合速率(P_(n))、蒸腾速率(T_(r))、气孔导度(G_(s))和胞间CO_(2)浓度(C_(i))差异显著,与滞尘前相比,滞尘后3种灌木的P_(n)、T_(r)、G_(s)分别下降27.1%、44.2%、7.1%,7.9%、38.3%、19.7%和38.0%、38.7%、11.6%,C_(i)分别增加8.2%、5.1%、4.9%,主成分分析可知,3种灌木的单位叶面积TSP与叶绿素含量、F_(v)/F_(m)以及P_(n)呈显著或极显著负相关,与C_(i)呈显著正相关。结论认为,叶表面粗糙度、气孔数量及大小、沟槽宽度等影响植物的滞尘能力,滞尘对植物叶片叶绿素以及叶绿素荧光参数产生一定程度的影响,降低植物叶片的光合作用,后期可考虑选择火棘作为滞尘能力强的灌木树种。

甘肃省民勤县荒漠绿洲过渡带典型灌丛植物的滞尘量效应

[目的]开展荒漠绿洲过渡带典型灌丛滞尘研究,为区域防风固沙树种滞尘效益评价和绿洲防护体系建设提供依据。[方法]通过野外调查采样,室内水洗过滤等方法,定量分析了荒漠绿洲过渡带梭梭(Holoxylon ammodendron)、柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)、白刺(Nitraria tangutorum)3种植物在3月上旬(冬态)和6月下旬(夏态)滞尘量和滞尘粒度沿荒漠至绿洲4 km范围内的时空变化特征。[结果]滞尘量从荒漠到绿洲逐步递减,3月上旬梭梭、柽柳、白刺平均递减20.74%,16.13%,14.72%,6月下旬平均递减14.37%,9.23%,26.54%。3月上旬梭梭的滞尘量最大,约为172.36 g/株~、6月下旬柽柳的滞尘量最大,约为345.16g/株。3月上旬3种灌木所滞尘土的粒径主要为20~50μm,约占41.00%,梭梭有少量滞尘的粒径为500~1000μm,约占总量的15.00%;6月下旬所滞尘土的粒径大量分布于100~200μm,少量分布于5~10μm。[结论]在3月和6月,3种灌木的滞尘量从荒漠到绿洲均呈现出递减的趋势,灌丛植物的滞尘量、滞尘粒径受时间、空间及植物叶表面特征的共同影响。

沙尘天气下洛阳市常见园林地被植物叶片滞尘特征

为充分了解沙尘天气下园林地被植物叶片滞尘量的变化和叶片质地对滞尘的影响,于2023年测定洛阳市常见的16种园林地被植物在沙尘天气后的单位叶面积滞尘量,分析园林地被植物之间叶片滞尘量差异的原因和叶片质地对滞尘量的影响。结果表明:1)日本珊瑚树的滞尘总量(0.221 6 mg·cm^(-2))最大,其次为红叶石楠(0.192 6 mg·cm^(-2)),红花酢浆草(0.013 0 mg·cm^(-2))最小;2)对于PM0.1~2.5的滞留量,以叶表具有毛状体的红花檵木(0.014 1 mg·cm^(-2))最大,棣棠(0.000 5 mg·cm^(-2))最小;3)革质叶、有毛状体叶的园林地被植物滞尘效果较好,其次是纸质叶,膜质叶最差;4)沙尘天气下,园林地被植物叶表滞留PM10~100的量比非沙尘天气显著升高,而PM2.5~10的滞留量变化不明显;5)沙尘天气下PM10~100在总悬浮颗粒物中的占比高于正常天气,而PM0.1~2.5的占比变小。因此,选用以防治空气污染为目标的园林地被植物时,建议选择日本珊瑚树、红叶石楠和红花檵木等滞尘能力较强的植物,叶片革质、厚实、有毛状体等特性更利于发挥滞尘效应。

风环境视角下校园道路群落对PM_(10)的滞尘效应及优化研究

以提升秋季校园道路群落滞尘效应为目标,探索不同室外风环境与群落特征对植物滞尘能力的影响,其次采用实测与PHOENICS模拟相结合的方式,分析并评价校园室外风环境,并使用线性回归验证了实验可行性,以此为校园绿地植物群落滞尘能力的提升提供建议。以北京林业大学校园内16条结构性道路为基础进行研究,结果显示:①秋季风速对道路群落滞尘效应的影响较为显著,实测数据中道路的平均风速值为0.44时群落滞尘能力达到最强,过高或过低的风速值均会降低植物的滞尘能力;②不同结构道路群落对PM_(10)滞尘效应的强弱顺序为:乔草型>乔灌型>乔灌草型>灌草型>乔木型,且滞尘能力差异较大,可达50%;③校园室外风环境中不同道路的风速差异较大,风速偏大的道路群落里普遍缺少低层次的灌木及小乔群落,应适当增添可防风的绿化。

居住区内植物叶面尘中重金属累积特征

选取城区居住区内大叶女贞等7种绿化树种叶片为研究材料,测定其单位叶面积滞尘量、叶面尘中和叶内重金属含量,并分析两者的相关性,研究不同绿化树种对大气粉尘中各重金属的吸附滞留能力。结果表明,单位叶面积滞尘量大小表现为海桐(2.50 g/m^(2))>金森女贞(2.26 g/m^(2))>桂花(2.01 g/m^(2))>大叶女贞(1.50 g/m^(2))>广玉兰(1.20 g/m^(2))>香樟(1.11 g/m^(2))>大叶黄杨(0.97 g/m^(2))。叶片中重金属含量高低排序为Mn(49.026 mg/kg)>Cr(5.308 mg/kg)>Cu(5.138 mg/kg)>Ni(2.436 mg/kg)>Pb(1.986 mg/kg)>As(0.359 mg/kg)>Cd(0.063 mg/kg)。叶面尘中Cr-Ni、Cr-Cu、Mn-Ni、Mn-Cu、Mn-Cd、Ni-Cu、As-Pb以及叶内Cr-Ni、Mn-Cu、Cu-Cd之间均存在明显相关性(P<0.01);叶面尘中Cr-Mn、Cr-As、Ni-As、Cu-Cd以及叶内Cr-Cd、Cu-As存在相关关系(P<0.05)。海桐对大气粉尘的滞尘能力和吸附大气重金属能力较强,可作为城市绿化优选树种。

银川市绿化植物叶片滞尘量及对氟、硫污染物的吸收研究

干旱区城市粉尘和工业排放的氟、硫化合物是大气污染的重要来源。园林植物能够阻滞粉尘、吸收一部分大气污染物。为探究银川市绿化植物对粉尘的影响及叶片对氟、硫化合物的吸收能力,在银川市区和宁东工业园区对主要绿化树种叶片取样,分析了不同树种粉尘滞留量和氟、硫含量的分布。结果表明:①银川森林公园15种树木叶片滞尘量为3.91~29046.85mg·dm^(-2),常绿树种叶片滞尘量显著高于落叶树种,常绿树种中侧柏叶片滞尘量最高;②森林公园15种植物叶片氟元素平均含量为13.75mg·kg^(-1),硫元素平均含量为2393.27mg·kg^(-1);宁东工业园区21种植物叶片氟元素平均含量为22.04 mg·kg^(-1),硫元素平均含量为1361.52 mg·kg^(-1)。油松叶片对氟元素的吸收能力最强,其次为卫矛球、黑麦草、碧桃、紫叶李、臭椿、圆柏。旱柳叶片对硫元素的吸收能力最强,其次为金银忍冬、榆叶梅、垂柳、丝棉木;③对比森林公园和宁东工业园区土壤氟、硫含量可知,森林公园土壤氟含量较高,宁东工业园区土壤硫含量较高,叶片氟、硫元素含量与土壤氟、硫元素含量高低不具有一致性。从本研究的结果来看,针叶树种对粉尘的吸附能力强,在城市林业建设中,作为防治粉尘污染的树种可优先选用。垂柳、丝棉木、沙枣等对大气硫吸收能力较强的树种可在大气硫污染较重的区域配置,以减缓硫污染,而且这些树种对大气中的氟化物亦有很强的吸收净化能力,是很有潜力的工业区绿化植物。