Zero-Emission Cement Plants with Advanced Amine-Based CO2 Capture.

Decarbonization of the cement sector is essentially required to achieve carbon neutrality to combat climate change. Amine-based CO2 capture is a leading and practical technology to deeply remove CO2 from the cement industry, owing to its high retrofittability to existing cement plants and extensive engineering experience in industrial flue gas decarbonization. While research efforts have been made to achieve low-carbon cement with 90% CO2 removal, a net-zero-emission cement plant that will be required for a carbon neutrality society has not yet been investigated. The present study proposed an advanced amine-based CO2 capture system integrated with a cement plant to achieve net-zero CO2 emission by pushing the CO2 capture efficiency to 99.7%. Monoethanomaine (MEA) and piperazine/2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (PZ-AMP) amine systems, which are considered to be the first- and second-generation capture agents, respectively, were detailed investigated to deeply decarbonize the cement plant. Compared to MEA, the advanced PZ-AMP system exhibited excellent energy performance with a regeneration duty of ∼2.6 GJ/tonne CO2 at 99.7% capture, 39% lower than the MEA process. This enabled a low CO2 avoided cost of $72.0/tonne CO2, which was 18% lower than that of the MEA-based zero-emission process and even 16.2% lower than the standard 90% MEA process. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the zero-emission capture cost of the PZ-AMP system would be further reduced to below $56/tonne CO2 at a $4/GJ steam production cost, indicating its economic competitiveness among various CO2 capture technologies to achieve a zero-emission cement plant.

Bark, soil and lichens are effective indicators of dust from limestone industries in Thailand.

Cement production, quarrying and stone crushing are major emission sources of alkaline dust that can affect human health and vegetation. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential of using bark pH, soil pH and lichen community for indicating alkaline dust pollution. Twelve polluted sites were in a limestone industrial area. Bark pH and the lichen community were observed on Alstonia scholaris trees, and soil pH was obtained from topsoil samples. The bark pH at all polluted sites was significantly higher (5.5 to 7.3) than that at the unpolluted site (4.3). Among the polluted sites, the highest bark pH value was observed at the nearest site to the center of the industrial area, while the lowest value was discovered at the farthest site. Bark pH showed a strongly negative correlation with the distance from the center. Soil pH at the unpolluted site (6.3) was also significantly lower than that at the polluted sites (7.6 to 8.1), except at the farthest site (6.5). The soil pH also tended to increase closer to the center. Seven lichen species were observed on the trunks of investigated trees in all polluted sites and were observed only at sites more than 4.7 km away from the center, where bark pH ranged from 5.5 to 6.3. The extent of dust impact on vegetation seemed to be within 6-7 km from the center. The results of this study confirm the potential of the bark pH of A. scholaris, soil pH and lichen community as long-term indicators of alkaline dust pollution.

Exposure and Risk Assessment to Airborne dl-PCBs and Dioxins in the Population Living in the Neighborhood of a Cement Plant: A Pilot Study in the Valencian Region of Spain.

Emissions from cement manufacturing facilities may increase health risks in nearby populations. For this reason, dioxin-like PCB (dl-PCB), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) concentrations in PM10 samples were assessed in the vicinity of a cement manufacturing plant located in the Valencian Region (eastern Spain). The total concentrations of the sum of dl-PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs ranged between 1.85 and 42.53 fg TEQ/m3 at the assessed stations. The average daily inhalation dose (DID) for the sum in adults ranged from 8.93 · 10-4 to 3.75 · 10-3 pg WHO TEQ kg-1 b.w. d-1, and, for children, the DID ranged from 2.01 · 10-3 to 8.44 · 10-3 pg WHO TEQ kg-1 b.w. d-1. Risk assessment for adults and children was performed using both daily and chronic exposure. The hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated considering 0.025 pg WHO TEQ kg-1 b.w. d-1 to be the acceptable maximum permitted inhalation exposure. The HQ obtained was slightly higher than 1 for PCDD/Fs at one of the stations (Chiva), indicating a possible health risk for the population under study due to inhalation exposure. In the case of chronic exposure, cancer risk (>10-6) was observed for some samples in one of the assessed sampling sites (Chiva).

On the predictability of short-lived particulate matter around a cement plant in Kerman, Iran: machine learning analysis.

One of the greatest environmental risks in the cement industry is particulate matter emission (i.e., PM2.5 and PM10). This paper aims to develop descriptive-analytical solutions for increasing the accuracy of predicting particulate matter emissions using resample data of Kerman cement plant. Photometer instruments DUST TRAK and BS-EN-12341 method were used to determine concentration of PM2.5 and PM10. Sampling was performed on 4 environmental stations of Kerman cement plant in the four seasons. In order to accurate assessment of particulate matter concentration, a new model was proposed to resample cement plant time series data using Pandas in Python. The effect of meteorological parameters including wind speed, relative humidity, air temperature and rainfall on the particulate matter concentration was investigated through statistical analysis. The results indicated that the maximum annual average of 24-h of PM2.5 belonged to the east side (opposite the clinker depot) in 2019 (31.50 µg m-3) and west side (in front of the mine) in 2020 (31.00 µg m-3). Also, maximum annual average of 24-h of PM10 belonged to the west side (in front of the mine) in 2020 (121.00 µg m-3) and east side (opposite the clinker depot) in 2020 (120.75 µg m-3). The PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations are more than the allowable limit. The results demonstrate that particulate matter concentration increases with increasing relative humidity and rainfall. Finally, the SARIMA model was used to predict the particulate matter concentration. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-022-04645-3.

Assessment of the antioxidative response and culturable micro-organisms of Lygeum spartum Loefl. ex L. for prospective phytoremediation applications.

Abundant plant species in arid industrial areas are mining phyto-resources for sustainable phyto-management. However, the association with their rhizosphere is still poorly known for phytoremediation purposes. This study aims to assess the heavy metals (HMs) and metalloids uptake of Lygeum spartum Loefl. ex L. growing in cement plant vicinity and screen associated culturome for potential phytoremediation use. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF), the translocation factor (TF), and the mobility ratio (MR) were studied along with four sites. Lipid peroxidation (MDA), free proline (Pro), Non-protein thiols (NPTs), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were tested for evaluating the plant antioxidative response. Bacteria and fungi associated with L. spartum Loefl. ex L. were identified by 16S rRNA and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-ITS2) gene sequencing. Our results showed an efficient uptake of As, Pb, and Zn and enhanced GSH (0.34 ± 0.03) and NPTs (528.7 ± 14.4 nmol g-1 FW) concentrations in the highly polluted site. No significant variation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) was found. Among 29 bacterial isolates, potential bioremediation were Bacillus simplex and Bacillus atrophaeus. Thus, L. spartum Loefl. ex L. and its associated microbiota have the potential for phytoremediation applications. Novelty statement: This work has been set in line with the investigation of the integrative biology of Lygeum spartum Loefl ex L. and the screening of its associated microbiome for potential phytoremediation applications. This work is the first work conducted in a cement plant vicinity investigating the associated fungi and bacteria of L. spartum Loefl. ex L. and been part of a sectorial research project since 2011, for assessing the impact of industrial pollution and recognizing the accumulation potential of plant species for further phyto-management applications.

Dispersion of airborne mercury species emitted from the cement plant.

The cement industry is the second largest source of anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions in Europe, accounting for 11% of global anthropogenic Hg emissions. The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of Hg emissions from the Salonit Anhovo cement plant on Hg levels measured in the ambient air at Vodarna, 1 km downwind from the flue gas chimney. The findings reveal that the plant raw mill operational status plays an important role in Hg concentrations in the flue gas emitted from the plant. Emitted total gaseous mercury was, on average, higher (49.4 µg/m3) when raw mills were in the direct mode (both raw mills-off) and lower (23.4 µg/m3) in the combined mode (both raw mills-on). The average Hg concentrations in Vodarna were 3.14 ng/m3 for gaseous elemental mercury, 53.7 pg/m3 for gaseous oxidised mercury, and 41.9 pg/m3 for particulate bound mercury for the whole measurement period. Atmospheric Hg speciation in Vodarna, coupled with plant emissions and wind data, has revealed that the total gaseous mercury emitted from the cement plant is clearly related to all Hg species measured in Vodarna. Wind blowing from the northeastern quadrant (mostly NE, ENE) is responsible for the elevated Hg levels in Vodarna, where gaseous oxidised mercury levels are highly linked to the cement plant emissions. However, elevated levels of Hg species in the absence of northeastern winds indicate potential inputs from other unknown local sources as well as inputs from regional and global transport mechanisms.

Impact of topography on attenuation of noise from a cement plant in a hilly terrain.

The influence of hill topography on noise from industrial plants is scantly documented, despite the fact that the noise profiles can vary in plains and in hilly terrain. Significant noise data from a cement plant flanked by hills were collected and analyzed for its attenuation over space in the direction of the valley and across the hills. It was observed that the noise attenuation is not similar to that experienced in plains owing to interactions with the mountains. The overall effect has been modelled over different distances between the four sources of the noise and several monitoring stations. The analyzed noise data showed that the influence of the major source of noise is obvious, yet difficult to differentiate. An iterated weighted distance from the noise sources, proved to be a better estimate for distance while modelling the attenuation of the noise. A relationship between the equivalent noise levels during the day and night could also be established. The effect of relative altitude and slope could be modelled using nonlinear multivariate analysis and the response surfaces were obtained for minimum, maximum and average values of the variables. Noise shadow zones could be identified with noise contouring which reflects reduction in the noise levels on hind side of the hills. The impact of topography and possible interference could thus be defined in such hilly terrain. The information can be used to define the noise mitigation strategies for adjacent habitats and mitigation of human response. The findings of the paper can also be used by prospective plants in hilly areas.

Community Health Risk Assessment of Total Suspended Particulates near a Cement Plant in Maros Regency, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Cement plants generate particulate matter (PM) across processes from raw material preparation to packaging. The presence of total suspended particulates (TSP) coming out of the stack causes a high accumulation of dust in residential areas. Human exposure to TSP could affect human health and wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to evaluate concentrations of TSP and to estimate the health risks of TSP exposure through the inhalation pathway in communities surrounding a private cement industry in Maros regency, Indonesia. METHODS: Total suspended particulates were collected using a high-volume air sampler (HVAS) at five locations. Samples were taken by grab sampling for 24 hours. The SCREEN3 program was used to view the maximum range and distribution of pollutants based on the geographical, stack profiles and meteorological factors in the study area. Hazard quotient (HQ) was used to estimate non-carcinogenic risks of TSP in surrounding communities. RESULTS: Total suspended particulate concentrations were measured with a maximum value of 133.24 µg/m3 and a minimum value of 18.48 µg/m3. This maximum value exceeds the minimum acceptable level from Canadian National Ambient Air Quality Objectives (C-NAAQOs). The non-carcinogenic risks from the inhalation pathway were low except for location 3 (HQ>1) across all locations. CONCLUSIONS: The cement plant may significantly contribute to total TSP concentrations in air and may potentially have adverse effects on human health. Communities near the cement plant are vulnerable to TSP exposure and measures are needed to reduce TSP in Maros regency, Indonesia. PARTICIPANT CONSENT: Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL: This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Hasanuddin University with protocol number 28920093022. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Escalating health risk of thallium and arsenic from farmland contamination fueled by cement-making activities: A hidden but significant source.

Soil-to-vegetable migration of toxic metal(loid)s is a pivotal pathway of human exposure to chemical intoxication. Thallium (Tl) and arsenic (As) are highly toxic metal(loid)s but their co-occurrence in soils and vegetables remain poorly understood. Herein, the present study focuses on potential health risk arising from co-occurrence of TlAs in various common vegetables cultivated in different farmlands around an industrial area featured by cement production activities. The results reveal obvious co-contamination of Tl (2.28 ± 1.39 mg/kg) and As (102.0 ± 66.7 mg/kg) in soils. Fine particles bearing sulfide and other minerals associated with Tl and As are detected in fly ash from cement plant, which can be migrated by wind over a long distance with hidden but inevitable pollution. Bioaccumulation Factor (BCF) and Enrichment Factor (EF) show that taro and corn preferentially accumulate Tl especially in underground parts. Hazard Quotient (HQ) indicates that consumption of these vegetables may result in chronic poisoning and/or even carcinogenic risk. The study highlights that the pathway and high risk of co-contamination of TlAs in the nearby farmlands posed by cement-making activities should be highly concerned.

[Residential cohort study to assess the impact of emissions released by a cement plant on the health status of the population residing in Pederobba (Veneto Region, Northern Italy)]. / Studio di coorte residenziale per valutare l'impatto delle emissioni di un cementificio sullo stato di salute della popolazione di Pederobba (Treviso).

OBJECTIVES: to assess the impact of a cement plant emissions on mortality, hospitalizations, and cancer incidence in the residents of the municipality of Pederobba (Veneto Region, Northern Italy). DESIGN: retrospective residential cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: the study was conducted in Pederobba and in 7 neighbouring municipalities (Cavaso Del Tomba, Cornuda, Crocetta del Montello, Monfumo, Segusino, Valdobbiadene, Vidor). The cohort included 12,116 residents in Pederobba (151,784 person-years) and 49,004 residents in the neighbouring municipalities (660,268 person-years) in the period 1996-2017. On the basis of the model estimate of the annual average concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the municipality of Pederobba was divided into an area with higher exposure of NO2 and another one at lower exposure of NO2. Two comparisons were made: the first between the residents in Pederobba and residents in the neighbouring municipalities; the second between people residing in Pederobba in the higher and in the lower exposure areas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: analysis of cause-specific mortality and hospitalization and cancer incidence, with particular attention to the diseases for which there is evidence of association with exposure to air-pollutants. For cancer incidence, available data were limited to the municipalities of Pederobba, Cavaso Del Tomba, Cornuda, Crocetta del Montello, and Monfumo for the period 1996-2015. RESULTS: the comparison among Pederobba and the 7 neighbouring municipalities showed that within Pederobba residents there was:ʉۢ a slight increase in the risk of death from all causes in women, due to circulatory diseases (HR 1.29; 95%CI 1.15-1.45), in particular ischaemic heart disease (HR 1.55; 1.27-1.89) and cerebrovascular diseases (HR 1.35; 1.06-1.72);ʉۢ a moderate increase in hospitalizations for circulatory diseases, such as heart failure (HR 1.17; 1.00-1.37) and cerebrovascular diseases (HR 1.41; 1.17 -1.70), especially in elderly women;ʉۢ a slight increase in hospitalizations for respiratory diseases, especially in older women (HR 1.19; 1.04-1.37);ʉۢ no difference were observed in cancer incidence, neither for all nor for single cancer sites, in both genders.The comparison between residents in the higher exposure area and those in the lower exposure area showed no difference in mortality, hospitalizations, and cancer incidence. CONCLUSIONS: higher mortality and hospitalization rates from circulatory and respiratory causes detected in Pederobba compared to the neighbouring municipalities were not confirmed by the comparison between residents in the higher and in the lower exposure area. Overall, data did not show a clear, well-characterized relationship between the exposure to pollutants emitted by the cement plant and the onset of chronic diseases. The excess of mortality and hospitalization for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, reported especially in older women, deserves further investigation, because of the complex cause-effect relations of these diseases.

Influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of workers in a cement plant in Guizhou Province / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) among workers in a cement plant. METHODS: A total of 196 workers in a cement plant were selected as study subjects using a judgment sampling method. A revised Musculoskeletal Injury Questionnaire was used to investigate the occurrence of WMSDs in workers in the past year. RESULTS: The detection rate of WMSDs in different parts of the body of workers in the cement plant was 18.4%-32.1%. The detection rates of WMSDs in all parts of the body from high to low was as follows: shoulder(32.1%), neck(30.6%), upper back(24.0%), ankle/foot(24.0%), lower back(23.5%), hip/thigh(22.4%), wrist/hand(21.4%), elbow(18.4%), and knee(18.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that keeping the neck in the same posture for a long time was a risk factor for neck WMSDs [odds ratio(OR)=2.29, P<0.05). Frequent turning around was a risk factor for WMSDs on the neck and lower back(waist)(OR were 3.06 and 3.32, P<0.05). Maintaining the same posture for a long time on the back was a risk factor for shoulder and upper back WMSDs(OR were 3.22 and 2.34, P<0.05). Hard work was a risk factor for shoulder and upper back WMSDs(OR were 2.60 and 2.58, P<0.05). Driving a vehicle was a risk factor for lower back(waist) and ankle/foot WMSDs(OR were 2.54 and 3.17, P<0.05). Carrying objects heavier than 20 kilograms and frequent overtime working were risk factors for ankle/foot WMSDs(OR were 3.03 and 2.54, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The most frequent parts of the body having WMSDs in the cement production workers are shoulders and necks. Occupational factors(turning around or keeping the same posture of neck and back) are risk factors of WMSDs on shoulder and neck.

Pulmonary Function Testing in Cement Transport Workers at Incheh Borun Border, Northeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate respiratory problems via pulmonary function testing in cement transport workers at Incheh Borun border in northeast of Iran in 2016. METHODS: The study was conducted on 358 male workers. All subjects were evaluated for respiratory symptoms via pulmonary function testing and completion of the American Thoracic Society questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age of workers was 34.8±12.87 yr (age range 16-79 yr). Mean duration of employment was 6.1±4.36 yr. Most workers (75.4%) were illiterate or had elementary education. In addition, 56 (15.6%) subjects were smokers. Only three individuals (0.3%) had obstructive pattern. There was a significant relationship between age of workers and frequency of respiratory problems (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to educate the workers about the health and safety regulations and use of personal protective equipment in workplace. In addition, periodic evaluation of respiratory function could help protect workers from developing occupational diseases.

Blast furnace flue dust co-processing in cement kiln - A pilot study.

An integrated steel plant generates a large amount of blast furnace flue dust - about 18-22 kg/t of hot metal - as a by-product of the production process. The major component of this flue dust is iron oxides and coke fines. The recovery and reuse of this iron and coke is very important with increasing price of conventional resources. Cement plants on the other hand are looking for alternative fuel and raw materials as a substitution to the traditional fuel and raw materials, thus co-processing of the flue dust is a solution for both the industries. The study gauges the potential of flue dust utilization in a cement plant in India, using an experimental trial of one month and also analyses the techno-economic feasibility of the co-processing route. Since flue dust contains iron which is a limiting constituent in the limestone deposit of this plant, feasibility of reducing the iron content in the flue dust was evaluated through the magnetic separation route. The objective was to utilize maximum quantum of flue dust with acceptable iron content and high energy content. It was observed that the magnetic separation does not effectively segregate the iron present in the flue dust and neither increases the energy content. The cost analysis of the usage of flue dust also revealed that flue dust can be used effectively by the cement industry if its cost ranges in an acceptable range of USD 35-39 (approximately).

PAHs and heavy metals in the surrounding soil of a cement plant Co-Processing hazardous waste.

The Chinese government is encouraging domestic cement producers to move from traditional coal power sources to the co-processing of waste as the primary energy source for the industry. In this study, 32 samples collected from the soil surrounding a cement plant in Beijing were analyzed for the presence of 16 U.S. EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 12 heavy metals. Ten samples were selected for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) analysis. The pollution distribution patterns, sources, and potential risks to human health and the environment were investigated and evaluated. The highest concentrations of PCDD/Fs occurred 1200 m downwind from the cement plant. The levels of ∑16 PAHs ranged from 130.6 to 1134.3 µg kg-1 in the sampled soils. Source identification analysis suggested that the cement plant was the most likely source of PAH contamination. The concentrations of most of the heavy metals detected in the sampled soils were close to background levels, except for the levels of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), which were, on average, two times and six times higher than background values, respectively. The co-incineration of sludge, coal, and hazardous waste in the cement plant is a major contributing cause for the high levels of Hg in the surrounding soil. Risk assessment models, both the incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) for PAHs and the potential ecological risk index (RI) for heavy metals, indicate potential risks to the population and the environment surrounding the cement plant.

Partial replacement of fossil fuels in a cement plant: Assessment of human health risks by metals, metalloids and PCDD/Fs.

In 2009, a cement plant located in Alcanar (South Catalonia, Spain) started co-processing a special kind of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) called ENERFUEL™. In April 2014 and 2017, 5 and 8 years after RDF co-processing, the concentrations of metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, V and Zn) and PCDD/Fs were measured in samples of soils, herbage and air collected in the vicinity of the facility. The comparison of the current concentrations with those obtained in a baseline study (2008), when fossil fuels were used solely, has shown that the environmental concentrations of metals, metalloids and PCDD/Fs were not significantly modified. The concentrations of metals, metalloids and PCDD/Fs in soil, vegetation and air of Alcanar are in the low part of the ranges found around other cement plants in Catalonia (in general, below 50th percentile). Non-carcinogenic risks due to exposure to metals, metalloids and PCDD/Fs were lower than the safety value (HQ<1). In turn, carcinogenic risks were below the 10-5 Spanish threshold. The present results corroborate that, from an environmental point of view, the use of wastes as alternative fuels (AF) in a cement plant, which is operating with suitable technical conditions, is a good option for waste management. It contributes towards overcoming challenges such as climate change and fossil fuel depletion, while utilizing principles of circular economy.

Carbon and nitrogen isotopes unravels sources of aerosol contamination at Caribbean rural and urban coastal sites.

The constant increase of anthropogenic emissions of aerosols, usually resulting from a complex mixture from various sources, leads to a deterioration of the ambient air quality. The stable isotope compositions (δ13C and δ15N) of total carbon (TC) and nitrogen (TN) in both PM10 and emissions from potential sources were investigated for first time in a rural and an urban Caribbean costal sites in Cuba to better constrain the origin of the contamination. Emissions from road traffic, power plant and shipping emissions were discriminated by coupling their C and N contents and corresponding isotope signatures. Other sources (soil, road dust and cement plant), in contrast, presented large overlapping ranges for both C and N isotope compositions. δ13CPM10 isotope compositions in the rural (average of -25.4 ±â€¯1.2‰) and urban (average of -24.8 ±â€¯1.2‰) sites were interpreted as a mixture of contributions from two main contributors: i) fossil fuel combustion and ii) cement plant and quarries. Results also showed that this last source is impacting more air quality at the urban site. A strong influence from local wood burning was also identified at the rural site. These conclusions were comforted by a statistical analysis using a conditional bivariate probability function. TN and δ15N values from the urban site demonstrated that nitrogen in PM10 was generated by secondary processes through the formation of (NH4)2SO4. The exchange in the (NH4)2SO4 molecule between gaseous NH3 and particle NH4+ under stoichiometric equilibrium may control the observed 15N enrichment. At low nitrogen concentrations in the aerosols, representing PM10 with both the highest primary N and lowest secondary N proportions, comparison with the δ15N of potential sources indicate that emissions from diesel car and power plant emissions may represent the major vectors of primary nitrogen.

Main components of PM10 in an area influenced by a cement plant in Catalonia, Spain: Seasonal and daily variations.

Particulate matter (PM) composition has a key role in a wide range of health outcomes, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and death, among others. Montcada i Reixac, a municipality located in the Barcelona metropolitan area (Catalonia, Spain), for its location and orography, is an interesting case- study to investigate air pollution. The area is also characterized by the presence of different industrial emission sources, including a cement factory and a large waste management plant, as well as an intense traffic. In this study, PM10 levels, trace elements, ions, and carbonaceous particles were determined for a long time period (2013-2016) in this highly polluted area. PM10 samples were collected during six consecutive days in two campaigns (cold and warm) per year. A number of elements (As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, K, La, Li, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Tb, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zr), ions (Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+), and carbonaceous content (total carbon, organic plus elemental carbon, and CO32-), were analysed. These data were used to identify the PM10 main components: mineral matter, sea spray, secondary inorganic aerosols, organic matter plus elemental carbon, trace elements or indeterminate fraction. Although a clear seasonality (cold vs. warm periods) was found, there were no differences between working days and weekends. Obviously, the cement plant influences the surrounding environment. However, no differences in trace elements related with the cement plant activity (Al, Ca, Ni and V) between weekdays and weekends were noted. However, some traffic-related elements (i.e., Co, Cr, Mn, and Sb) showed significantly higher concentrations in weekdays.

Effects of Co-Processing Sewage Sludge in the Cement Kiln on PAHs, Heavy Metals Emissions and the Surrounding Environment.

To understand the effects of co-processing sewage sludge in the cement kiln on non-criterion pollutants emissions and its surrounding environment, the flue gas from a cement kiln stack, ambient air and soil from the background/downwind sites were collected in the cement plant. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals of the samples were analyzed. The results show that PAHs in flue gas mainly exist in the gas phase and the low molecular weight PAHs are the predominant congener. The co-processing sewage sludge results in the increase in PAHs and heavy metals emissions, especially high molecular weight PAHs and low-volatile heavy metals such as Cd and Pb in the particle phase, while it does not change their compositions and distribution patterns significantly. The concentrations and their distributions of the PAHs and heavy metals between the emissions and ambient air have a positive correlation and the co-processing sewage sludge results in the increase of PAHs and heavy metals concentrations in the ambient air. The PAHs concentration level and their distribution in soil are proportional to those in the particle phase of flue gas, and the co-processing sewage sludge can accelerate the accumulation of the PAHs and heavy metals in the surrounding soil, especially high/middle molecular weight PAHs and low-volatile heavy metals.

Exposure assessment of particulate matter and blood chromium levels in people living near a cement plant.

This study evaluates the effect of air pollution caused by cement plants on nearby residential areas and performs an exposure assessment of particulate matter (PM) and total Cr, Cr6+, Pb, and Al. Further, the blood Cr levels of residents exposed to PM released by cement plants are also assessed. Nine buildings (eight residential and one elementary school building) close to cement plants were selected for this study, which were located in Pyeongtaek port, in west of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. A total of 51 suspended particulate samples were collected at a flow rate of 2.0 L/min. Total Cr was more widely detected in residents' houses and elementary schools. PM levels were higher at distances of 4.1 and 4.8 km than those at closer distances of 2.7 km. This was due to the influence of wind direction. The estimated mean blood level of Cr for the study participants was 3.80 µg/L, which is higher than levels estimated by other studies on Cr blood levels. Therefore, cement plants could cause an increase in total Cr and blood Cr levels in residential areas, and more continuous monitoring is necessary to better understand their impacts.

Dioxin-like pcb emissions from cement kilns during the use of alternative fuels.

The substitution of combustion fuels in cement plants is increasing throughout many countries, and its individual performance is constantly assessed against strict regulatory standards. For cement plants within Australia, normal operations remain to use petroleum coal as the dominate energy source at the precalciner, avoiding the opportunity to reduce carbon-based resources and pollutant emissions (such as carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, persistent organic pollutants) whilst providing the necessary energy needs through resource recovery. This paper presents stack emission monitoring of health-critical dl-PCB (dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl) congeners during the substitution of alternative fuels at ten Australian cement plants, and to distinguish statistical similarities between other key pollutants (such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD-F) and hydrogen halogens) and amongst the fuels used. Sampling of plant emissions was performed during normal operations (as baseline trials) and with the varied substitution rates of waste oil, solvents, chipped wood, refuge waste, carbon dust, shredded tyres and black sand (as experimental trials). The extraction of field and analytical data during these trials allowed for determining the total and individual unit mass of dl-PCB and PCDD-F isomers, standardised to 10% O2 and to World Health Organization (2005) toxicity equivalence (TEQ) values. The findings showed waste co-incineration during cement operations does reduce health-critical congeners of dioxins and dl-PCBs whilst providing the necessary energy and calcination needs. Experimental trials showed all dl-PCBs and PCB TEQ are below the internationally regulated Stockholm Convention article of 10pg TEQ/Nm3. In several cases, an increased rate of substituted fuel also identified a consistent reduction to baseline dl-PCBs. The distribution of toxic isomers (TCDD-F and PeCDD-F) were shown to be predominate during waste oil, wood chips, and solvent trials. Whereas the use of TDFs consistently showed a lower toxicity contribution. The distribution of dl-PCBs toxic congeners showed PCB-126 (3,3',4,4',5-Pentachlorobiphenyl) to be greatly present during the co-incineration of waste oil, wood chips, solvents and TDF trials. Principle component analysis identified a statistical predominance from the 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (Pentachlorodibenzofuran) and 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF (Hexachlorodibenzofuran) congeners, while dl-PCBs TEQs had similar correlation amongst combustion fuels with major contributions being from the PCB-126 and PCB-169 (3,3',4,4',5,5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl) congeners.