Abstract
Background: The characteristics of aerosol, in particular particle size and chemical composition, can have an impact on human health. Particle size distribution and chemical composition is a necessary parameter in occupational exposure assessment conducted in order to understand possible health effects. The aim of this study was to characterize workplace airborne particulate matter in a metallurgical setting by synergistically using two different approaches; Methodology: Analysis of inhalable fraction concentrations through traditional sampling equipment and ultrafine particles (UFP) concentrations and size distribution was conducted by an Electric Low-Pressure Impactor (ELPI+™). The determination of metallic elements (ME) in particles was carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Results: Inhalable fraction and ME concentrations were below the limits set by Italian legislation and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH, 2017). The median of UFP was between 4.00 × 104 and 2.92 × 105 particles/cm3. ME concentrations determined in the particles collected by ELPI show differences in size range distribution; Conclusions: The adopted synergistic approach enabled a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the particles in steelmaking factories. The results could lead to a better knowledge of occupational exposure characterization, in turn affording a better understanding of occupational health issues due to metal fumes exposure.
Highlights
The issue of particles exposure in metallurgical industries is of particular concern because it can have a negative impact on the workers’ health [1,2,3,4,5,6]. traditionally the evaluation of exposure was focused on the mass concentration of inhaled dust, the characteristics of aerosol, in particular particle size and chemical composition, Int
The steel foundry plant specializes in steels for the construction industry; it makes use of electric arc furnace (EAF) “Mini Mills” for the processing of molten steel in the ladle and subsequent casting electric is converted into heat, upscrap
All levels measured outdoors were found to be lower compared to the results of the indoor sampling. Both inhalable fraction and metallic elements (ME) concentrations were below the limits set by Italian legislation and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) [48,49]
Summary
Traditionally the evaluation of exposure was focused on the mass concentration of inhaled dust, the characteristics of aerosol, in particular particle size and chemical composition, Int. J. The characteristics of aerosol, in particular particle size and chemical composition, can have an impact on human health. Particle size distribution and chemical composition is a necessary parameter in occupational exposure assessment conducted in order to understand possible health effects. The aim of this study was to characterize workplace airborne particulate matter in a metallurgical setting by synergistically using two different approaches; Methodology: Analysis of inhalable fraction concentrations through traditional sampling equipment and ultrafine particles (UFP) concentrations and size distribution was conducted by an Electric. The results could lead to a better knowledge of occupational exposure characterization, in turn affording a better understanding of occupational health issues due to metal fumes exposure
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