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Chen H, Jog MA, Evans DE, Turkevich LA. Numerical investigation of powder aerosolization in a rotating drum apparatus. POWDER TECHNOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2021.04.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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2
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Ribalta C, López-Lilao A, Fonseca AS, Jensen ACØ, Jensen KA, Monfort E, Viana M. Evaluation of One- and Two-Box Models as Particle Exposure Prediction Tools at Industrial Scale. TOXICS 2021; 9:201. [PMID: 34564352 PMCID: PMC8471509 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9090201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
One- and two-box models have been pointed out as useful tools for modelling indoor particle exposure. However, model performance still needs further testing if they are to be implemented as trustworthy tools for exposure assessment. The objective of this work is to evaluate the performance, applicability and reproducibility of one- and two-box models on real-world industrial scenarios. A study on filling of seven materials in three filling lines with different levels of energy and mitigation strategies was used. Inhalable and respirable mass concentrations were calculated with one- and two-box models. The continuous drop and rotating drum methods were used for emission rate calculation, and ranges from a one-at-a-time methodology were applied for local exhaust ventilation efficiency and inter-zonal air flows. When using both dustiness methods, large differences were observed for modelled inhalable concentrations but not for respirable, which showed the importance to study the linkage between dustiness and processes. Higher model accuracy (ratio modelled vs. measured concentrations 0.5-5) was obtained for the two- (87%) than the one-box model (53%). Large effects on modelled concentrations were seen when local exhausts ventilation and inter-zonal variations where parametrized in the models. However, a certain degree of variation (10-20%) seems acceptable, as similar conclusions are reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Ribalta
- The National Research Center for Work Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.S.F.); (A.C.Ø.J.); (K.A.J.)
| | - Ana López-Lilao
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)-AICE, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Universitat Jaume I, 12006 Castellón, Spain; (A.L.-L.); (E.M.)
| | - Ana Sofia Fonseca
- The National Research Center for Work Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.S.F.); (A.C.Ø.J.); (K.A.J.)
| | | | - Keld Alstrup Jensen
- The National Research Center for Work Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.S.F.); (A.C.Ø.J.); (K.A.J.)
| | - Eliseo Monfort
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)-AICE, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Universitat Jaume I, 12006 Castellón, Spain; (A.L.-L.); (E.M.)
| | - Mar Viana
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
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Fonseca AS, Viitanen AK, Kanerva T, Säämänen A, Aguerre-Chariol O, Fable S, Dermigny A, Karoski N, Fraboulet I, Koponen IK, Delpivo C, Vilchez Villalba A, Vázquez-Campos S, Østerskov Jensen AC, Hjortkjær Nielsen S, Sahlgren N, Clausen PA, Xuan Nguyen Larsen B, Kofoed-Sørensen V, Alstrup Jensen K, Koivisto J. Occupational Exposure and Environmental Release: The Case Study of Pouring TiO 2 and Filler Materials for Paint Production. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18020418. [PMID: 33430311 PMCID: PMC7825781 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary exposure to micro- and nanoscaled particles has been widely linked to adverse health effects and high concentrations of respirable particles are expected to occur within and around many industrial settings. In this study, a field-measurement campaign was performed at an industrial manufacturer, during the production of paints. Spatial and personal measurements were conducted and results were used to estimate the mass flows in the facility and the airborne particle release to the outdoor environment. Airborne particle number concentration (1 × 103–1.0 × 104 cm−3), respirable mass (0.06–0.6 mg m−3), and PM10 (0.3–6.5 mg m−3) were measured during pouring activities. In overall; emissions from pouring activities were found to be dominated by coarser particles >300 nm. Even though the raw materials were not identified as nanomaterials by the manufacturers, handling of TiO2 and clays resulted in release of nanometric particles to both workplace air and outdoor environment, which was confirmed by TEM analysis of indoor and stack emission samples. During the measurement period, none of the existing exposure limits in force were exceeded. Particle release to the outdoor environment varied from 6 to 20 g ton−1 at concentrations between 0.6 and 9.7 mg m−3 of total suspended dust depending on the powder. The estimated release of TiO2 to outdoors was 0.9 kg per year. Particle release to the environment is not expected to cause any major impact due to atmospheric dilution
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Fonseca
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-3916-5492
| | - Anna-Kaisa Viitanen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FI-00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland; (A.-K.V.); (T.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Tomi Kanerva
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FI-00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland; (A.-K.V.); (T.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Arto Säämänen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FI-00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland; (A.-K.V.); (T.K.); (A.S.)
| | - Olivier Aguerre-Chariol
- Caractérisation de l’Environnement (CARA), INERIS, 93310 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; (O.A.-C.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (N.K.); (I.F.)
| | - Sebastien Fable
- Caractérisation de l’Environnement (CARA), INERIS, 93310 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; (O.A.-C.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (N.K.); (I.F.)
| | - Adrien Dermigny
- Caractérisation de l’Environnement (CARA), INERIS, 93310 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; (O.A.-C.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (N.K.); (I.F.)
| | - Nicolas Karoski
- Caractérisation de l’Environnement (CARA), INERIS, 93310 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; (O.A.-C.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (N.K.); (I.F.)
| | - Isaline Fraboulet
- Caractérisation de l’Environnement (CARA), INERIS, 93310 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France; (O.A.-C.); (S.F.); (A.D.); (N.K.); (I.F.)
| | | | - Camilla Delpivo
- Human & Environmental Health & Safety, LEITAT Technological Center, 08005 Barcelona, Spain; (C.D.); (A.V.V.); (S.V.-C.)
| | - Alejandro Vilchez Villalba
- Human & Environmental Health & Safety, LEITAT Technological Center, 08005 Barcelona, Spain; (C.D.); (A.V.V.); (S.V.-C.)
| | - Socorro Vázquez-Campos
- Human & Environmental Health & Safety, LEITAT Technological Center, 08005 Barcelona, Spain; (C.D.); (A.V.V.); (S.V.-C.)
| | - Alexander Christian Østerskov Jensen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Signe Hjortkjær Nielsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Nicklas Sahlgren
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Per Axel Clausen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Bianca Xuan Nguyen Larsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Vivi Kofoed-Sørensen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Keld Alstrup Jensen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
| | - Joonas Koivisto
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (A.C.Ø.J.); (S.H.N.); (N.S.); (P.A.C.); (B.X.N.L.); (V.K.-S.); (K.A.J.); (J.K.)
- ARCHE Consulting, B-9032 Ghent, Belgium
- Air Pollution Management, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, FI-00014 UHEL Helsinki, Finland
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Ribalta C, Viana M, López-Lilao A, Estupiñá S, Minguillón MC, Mendoza J, Díaz J, Dahmann D, Monfort E. On the Relationship between Exposure to Particles and Dustiness during Handling of Powders in Industrial Settings. Ann Work Expo Health 2020; 63:107-123. [PMID: 30508067 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxy092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to ceramic powders, which is frequent during handling operations, is known to cause adverse health effects. Finding proxy parameters to quantify exposure is useful for efficient and timely exposure assessments. Worker exposure during handling of five materials [a silica sand (SI1), three quartzes (Q1, Q2, and Q3), and a kaolin (K1)] with different particle shape (prismatic and platy) and sizes (3.4-120 µm) was assessed. Materials handling was simulated using a dry pendular mill under two different energy settings (low and high). Three repetitions of two kilos of material were carried out per material and energy conditions with a flow rate of 8-11 kg h-1. The performance of the dustiness index as a predictor of worker exposure was evaluated correlating material's dustiness indexes (with rotating drum and continuous drop) with exposure concentrations. Significant impacts on worker exposure in terms of inhalable and respirable mass fractions were detected for all materials. Mean inhalable mass concentrations during background were always lower than 40 µg m-3 whereas during material handling under high energy settings mean concentrations were 187, 373, 243, 156, and 430 µg m-3 for SI1, Q1, Q2, Q3, and K1, respectively. Impacts were not significant with regard to particle number concentration: background particle number concentrations ranged between 10 620 and 46 421 cm-3 while during handling under high energy settings they were 20 880 - 40 498 cm-3. Mean lung deposited surface area during background ranged between 27 and 101 μm2 cm-3 whereas it ranged between 22 and 42 μm2 cm-3 during materials handling. TEM images evidenced the presence of nanoparticles (≤100 nm) in the form of aggregates (300 nm-1 µm) in the worker area, and a slight reduction on mean particle size during handling was detected. Dustiness and exposure concentrations showed a high degree of correlation (R2 = 0.77-0.97) for the materials and operating conditions assessed, suggesting that dustiness could be considered a relevant predictor for workplace exposure. Nevertheless, the relationship between dustiness and exposure is complex and should be assessed for each process, taking into account not only material behaviour but also energy settings and workplace characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Ribalta
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.,Chemistry Faculty, Barcelona University, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Viana
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana López-Lilao
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)-AICE-Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Castellón, Spain
| | - Sara Estupiñá
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)-AICE-Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Castellón, Spain
| | - Maria Cruz Minguillón
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Mendoza
- Scientific and Technological Centres Barcelona University (CCiTUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Díaz
- Scientific and Technological Centres Barcelona University (CCiTUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dirk Dahmann
- Institute for the Research on Hazardous Substances (IGF), Bochum, Germany
| | - Eliseo Monfort
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)-AICE-Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Castellón, Spain
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Ribalta C, López-Lilao A, Estupiñá S, Fonseca AS, Tobías A, García-Cobos A, Minguillón MC, Monfort E, Viana M. Health risk assessment from exposure to particles during packing in working environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 671:474-487. [PMID: 30933802 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Packing of raw materials in work environments is a known source of potential health impacts (respiratory, cardiovascular) due to exposure to airborne particles. This activity was selected to test different exposure and risk assessment tools, aiming to understand the effectiveness of source enclosure as a strategy to mitigate particle release. Worker exposure to particle mass and number concentrations was monitored during packing of 7 ceramic materials in 3 packing lines in different settings, with low (L), medium (M) and high (H) degrees of source enclosure. Results showed that packing lines L and M significantly increased exposure concentrations (119-609 μg m-3 respirable, 1150-4705 μg m-3 inhalable, 24,755-51,645 cm-3 particle number), while non-significant increases were detected in line H. These results evidence the effectiveness of source enclosure as a mitigation strategy, in the case of packing of ceramic materials. Total deposited particle surface area during packing ranged between 5.4 and 11.8 × 105 μm2 min-1, with particles depositing mainly in the alveoli (51-64%) followed by head airways (27-41%) and trachea bronchi (7-10%). The comparison between the results from different risk assessment tools (Stoffenmanager, ART, NanoSafer) and the actual measured exposure concentrations evidenced that all of the tools overestimated exposure concentrations, by factors of 1.5-8. Further research is necessary to bridge the current gap between measured and modelled health risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ribalta
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona University, Chemistry Faculty, C/ de Martí i Franquès, 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A López-Lilao
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)- AICE - Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - S Estupiñá
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)- AICE - Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - A S Fonseca
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE), Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - A Tobías
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - A García-Cobos
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)- AICE - Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - M C Minguillón
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Monfort
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC)- AICE - Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - M Viana
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Ribalta C, Koivisto AJ, López-Lilao A, Estupiñá S, Minguillón MC, Monfort E, Viana M. Testing the performance of one and two box models as tools for risk assessment of particle exposure during packing of inorganic fertilizer. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 650:2423-2436. [PMID: 30292998 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Modelling of particle exposure is a useful tool for preliminary exposure assessment in workplaces with low and high exposure concentrations. However, actual exposure measurements are needed to assess models reliability. Worker exposure was monitored during packing of an inorganic granulate fertilizer at industrial scale using small and big bags. Particle concentrations were modelled with one and two box models, where the emission source was estimated with the fertilizer's dustiness index. The exposure levels were used to calculate inhaled dose rates and test accuracy of the exposure modellings. The particle number concentrations were measured from worker area by using a mobility and optical particle sizer which were used to calculate surface area and mass concentrations. The concentrations in the worker area during pre-activity ranged 63,797-81,073 cm-3, 4.6 × 106 to 7.5 × 106 μm2 cm-3, and 354 to 634 μg m-3 (respirable mass fraction) and during packing 50,300 to 85,949 cm-3, 4.3 × 106 to 7.6 × 106 μm2 cm-3, and 279 to 668 μg m-3 (respirable mass fraction). Thus, the packing process did not significantly increase the exposure levels. Chemical exposure was also under control based on REACH standards. The particle surface area deposition rate in respiratory tract was up to 7.6 × 106 μm2 min-1 during packing, with 52%-61% of deposition occurring in the alveolar region. Ratios of the modelled and measured concentrations were 0.98 ± 0.19 and 0.84 ± 0.12 for small and big bags, respectively, when using the one box model, and 0.88 ± 0.25 and 0.82 ± 0.12, when using the two box model. The modelling precision improved for both models when outdoor particle concentrations were included. This study shows that exposure concentrations in a low emission industrial scenario, e.g. during packing of a fertilizer, can be predicted with a reasonable accuracy by using the concept of dustiness and mass balance models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Ribalta
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona University, Chemistry Faculty, C/ de Martí i Franquès, 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Antti J Koivisto
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Ana López-Lilao
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC) - AICE - Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - Sara Estupiñá
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC) - AICE - Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - María C Minguillón
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eliseo Monfort
- Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC) - AICE - Universitat Jaume I, Campus Universitario Riu Sec, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12006 Castellón, Spain
| | - Mar Viana
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Parey M, Schmidt E. A Model to Evaluate the Dustiness of Powders and Binary Powder Mixtures. Chem Eng Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201700204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Parey
- Bergische Universität Wuppertal; Institute of Particle Technology; Rainer-Gruenter-Straße 42097 Wuppertal Germany
| | - Eberhard Schmidt
- Bergische Universität Wuppertal; Institute of Particle Technology; Rainer-Gruenter-Straße 42097 Wuppertal Germany
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López Lilao A, Sanfélix Forner V, Mallol Gasch G, Monfort Gimeno E. Particle size distribution: A key factor in estimating powder dustiness. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2017; 14:975-985. [PMID: 28763288 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2017.1358818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A wide variety of raw materials, involving more than 20 samples of quartzes, feldspars, nephelines, carbonates, dolomites, sands, zircons, and alumina, were selected and characterised. Dustiness, i.e., a materials' tendency to generate dust on handling, was determined using the continuous drop method. These raw materials were selected to encompass a wide range of particle sizes (1.6-294 µm) and true densities (2650-4680 kg/m3). The dustiness of the raw materials, i.e., their tendency to generate dust on handling, was determined using the continuous drop method. The influence of some key material parameters (particle size distribution, flowability, and specific surface area) on dustiness was assessed. In this regard, dustiness was found to be significantly affected by particle size distribution. Data analysis enabled development of a model for predicting the dustiness of the studied materials, assuming that dustiness depended on the particle fraction susceptible to emission and on the bulk material's susceptibility to release these particles. On the one hand, the developed model allows the dustiness mechanisms to be better understood. In this regard, it may be noted that relative emission increased with mean particle size. However, this did not necessarily imply that dustiness did, because dustiness also depended on the fraction of particles susceptible to be emitted. On the other hand, the developed model enables dustiness to be estimated using just the particle size distribution data. The quality of the fits was quite good and the fact that only particle size distribution data are needed facilitates industrial application, since these data are usually known by raw materials managers, thus making additional tests unnecessary. This model may therefore be deemed a key tool in drawing up efficient preventive and/or corrective measures to reduce dust emissions during bulk powder processing, both inside and outside industrial facilities. It is recommended, however, to use the developed model only if particle size, true density, moisture content, and shape lie within the studied ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana López Lilao
- a Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica , AICE, Universitat Jaume I , Castellón , Spain
| | | | - Gustavo Mallol Gasch
- a Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica , AICE, Universitat Jaume I , Castellón , Spain
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9
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López-Lilao A, Escrig A, Orts MJ, Mallol G, Monfort E. Quartz dustiness: A key factor in controlling exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2016; 13:817-828. [PMID: 27135749 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2016.1183011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The classification of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) as carcinogenic for humans has drawn greater attention to crystalline silica exposure in the workplace in recent years, leading to recommendations by safety and health bodies in Europe and the U.S. for lower occupational exposure limits. In view of this new scenario, the present study examined quartz dustiness, as quartz handling is a major source of crystalline silica in the workplace. The study was conducted on test samples with different mean particle sizes, prepared from several commercial quartzes. The quartz particle samples were characterised and the influence of certain quartz particle parameters on quartz dustiness was determined. The results indicate that quartz dustiness may be significantly affected by mean particle size, specific surface area, the Hausner ratio, and fine particle content. The study shows that, in order to minimise the adverse health effects associated with the inhalation of crystalline silica, quartz dustiness may be deemed a key factor in controlling the generation of fugitive quartz emissions during quartz processing, both into the outside atmosphere (air pollution) and inside the facilities (occupational health).
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Affiliation(s)
- A López-Lilao
- a Department of Chemical Engineering and Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica - AICE - Universitat Jaume I , Castellón , Spain
| | - A Escrig
- b Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica - AICE - Universitat Jaume I , Castellón , Spain
| | - M J Orts
- a Department of Chemical Engineering and Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica - AICE - Universitat Jaume I , Castellón , Spain
| | - Gustavo Mallol
- a Department of Chemical Engineering and Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica - AICE - Universitat Jaume I , Castellón , Spain
| | - E Monfort
- a Department of Chemical Engineering and Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica - AICE - Universitat Jaume I , Castellón , Spain
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