Particulates Nation's Cleanest Cities

Definitions

Particulate – a particle of solid or liquid matter

Particulate Matter (PM) – A suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in the air

Physical Forms

Dust Fume Smoke Smog Vapor

Mist Fog Aerosol Fiber

Classification of PM

Coarse particulates – diameter 2.5 -10 µm (PM10)

Fine particles – 0.1 - 2.5 µm (PM2.5)

Ultra fine particles – (.001 - .1 µm)

Measurement: µm (micrometers) A unit of length equal to one thousandth (10-3)

of a millimeter or one millionth (10-6) of a meter.

Primary Particulates

Those emitted directly to the atmosphere

Secondary Particulates

Those formed by reactions involving other pollutants

Where Do Particles Come From?

PM10 PM2.5

What they are

- Smoke, dirt, dust from factories, farming, and roads- Mold, spores, and pollen

- Toxic organic compounds

- Heavy metals

How they’re made

- Crushing and grinding rocks and soil

Then blown by wind

- Driving automobiles- Burning plants - Smelting and processing metals

Impact of Particle Size

Fine particles vs. coarse (larger) particles

Which are more damaging?

Impacts of Particulate Matter

aggravated asthma increases in respiratory

symptoms like coughing and difficult or painful breathing

chronic bronchitis decreased lung function

premature death

What Determines Potential Health Effects From Particulate Exposure?

Length of exposureType and toxicityConcentrationSize of particulatesActivity level and breathing rateAge and overall health

Individualized Effects

AllergiesAsthmatics

Which particles do you think travel farther?

PM10PM2.5

How far do you think PM10 particles can travel?

25 miles100 feet 500 miles

How far do you think PM2.5 particles can travel?

100 feet 25 miles 500 miles

Pneumoconiosis

Reaction of lung tissue to presence of accumulated dust

Symptoms: shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, difficulty in expectorating

Two common forms of pneumoconiosis are asbestosis and silicosis

Silicosis

Probably the oldest occupational disease

Causative agent is crystalline silica (respirable)

Some forms of crystalline silica include quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite

Symptoms – dyspnea, unproductive cough Exception: Acute

silicosis Acceptable exposure

Asbestos

Group of silicates derived from serpentine (crysotile) and amphibole

Fibrous forms include: Chrysotile, amosite,

crocidolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, tremolite

Toxicity theories Morphology Metal content Chemistry

Asbestos – Who is at risk?

Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.

Exposure common among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other trades people.

If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed.

Asbestosis

Definition: Fibrous scarring of the lungs caused by inhalation of fine airborne asbestos fibers

Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of: Lung cancer Asbestosis – non-cancerous, chronic lung

ailment Mesothelioma – cancer of the lung lining and

stomach lining

Acceptable Exposure - Asbestos

0.1 f/cc

Some Diseases Related to Asbestos/Silica

Talcosis Diatomaceous earth Coal workers

pneumoconiosis Shaver’s disease Byssinosis

Metals

Representative Metals

DIETARY ESSENTIALS (Ca, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, K, Se, Na, Zn)

BASIC TOXICITY VARIES highly toxic: Co, Cu, Cr, P, Se carcinogenic: Cr, Co moderately toxic: Mn, Zn low toxicity: Ca, Fe, Mg, Mo, K, Na

==> Pb, Hg, Be, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, V, As, Zn

Lead (CFR 1910.1025)

Various forms of

industrial interest Oxides Carbonates Sulfates Sulfide Chromate Silicates

Fate in body Ingestion, skin, inhalation

Lead

Toxic Effects Gastrointestinal effects (colic) Palsy Encephalopathy

Diagnosis Work history Medical history “Lead line” Weakness in hands/wrist Blood or urine analysis

Exposure Limit (OSHA): 50 ug/m3

Mercury

Industries with Hg poisonings Mining, detonator

manufacture, hatter’s trade (mad hatters), thermometers/ barometers, solder, dentist (amalgams), labs

Mercury

Acute toxicity Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms Lesions

Chronic toxicity Inflammation of mouth Muscular tremors Psychic irritability

Uses Used in alloys with Cu,

MG, Al, Ni, Fe Used in electronic

industry Acute toxicity

Symptoms of chemical pneumonia

Chronic toxicity Chronic lung disease Also liver, kidneys

Beryllium

Cadmium

Uses Used in alloys Electroplating of metals Batteries Pigment (yellow)

Acute toxicity 3-6 hrs- URT irritation, cough,

chest pain, chills 8-24 hrs -Dyspnea, cough,

weakness 4-7 days - death

Chronic toxicity Cadmium line, pulmonary

damage, anosmia, kidney damage, cancer potential

Chromium

Uses Electroplating (auto and

electrical equipment) Alloying w/ Fe & Ni (stainless

steels) “Hexavalent” Acute toxicity

Irritation of respiratory system, sneezing, runny nose, sensitization

Chronic toxicity Chrome ulceration Dermatitis Ulceration of nasal septum Increased cancer risk

Manganese

Uses Used in iron and steel

industry Used some in chemical

and battery industries Two forms of poisoning

Pulmonary Nervous system

1st phase: anorexia, vision, behavior changes, unsteady

2nd phase: voice, facial, movement

3rd phase: muscle rigidity, progressive

Nickel

Uses Stainless steel industry,

electroplating, surgical and dental equipment, coinage

ACUTE TOXICITY due to “carbonyl” can be fatal

CHRONIC dermatitis, sensitizer chemical pneumonia lung cancer

Vanadium

Uses Steel, crude oil

Pentoxide Acute/chronic

toxicities are similar Symptoms

sore throat, lacrimation, cough, pneumonia, green colored tongue

Arsenic

Uses Insecticides, wood

preservative, glass manufacturing

Acute toxicity irritation, swallowing

difficulties, cyanosis and collapse

Chronic toxicity G.I. complaints, loss of

strength, ulcers, loss of hair, cancer

Zinc

Uses Galvanizing (tool,

automotive, transportation industries)

Zinc chloride Zinc chromate Zinc oxide

most prolific cause of “metal fume fever”

similar to flu blue gum line “Burton line” usually short-lived(Photos courtesy of J. Lewis)

Zinc oxide fume

Zinc oxide fume

Summary of Metal Toxicities

dietary essentials sensitizers carbonyls metal fume fever Burton lines

mental effects carcinogens bad odors oddities