PM1 particles at coal- and gas-fired power plant work areas.
Ann Occup Hyg
; 56(2): 182-93, 2012 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22127876
ABSTRACT
With the increased interest in the possible adverse health effects attributed to inhalation of fine particle matter, this study was conducted to gather preliminary information about workplace exposures at coal- and gas-fired power plants to fine particles (PM(1); i.e. <1 µm) and ultrafine particles (i.e. <0.1 µm). Combustion of fossil fuel is known to produce fine particles, and due to their proximity and durations of exposure, power plant workers could be a group of individuals who experience high chronic exposures to these types of particles. The results of a series of real-time instrument measurements showed that concentrations of PM(1) were elevated in some locations in power plants. The highest concentrations were in locations near combustion sources, indicating that combustion materials were leaking from conventional fossil fuel-fired boilers or it was associated with emission plume downwash. Concentrations were the lowest inside air-conditioned control rooms where PM(1) were present at levels similar to or lower than upwind concentrations. Microscopic examinations indicate that PM(1) at the coal-fired plants are dominated by vitrified spheres, although there were also unusual elongated particles. Most of the PM(1) were attached to larger coal fly ash particles that may affect where and how they could be deposited in the lung.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Centrais Elétricas
/
Poluição do Ar
/
Material Particulado
/
Cinza de Carvão
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Occup Hyg
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos