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Exposure vs toxicity levels of airborne quartz, metal and carbon particles in cast iron foundries

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 24, pages 42–50 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Aerosol dust samples and quartz raw materials from different working stations in foundry plants were characterized in order to assess the health risk in this working environment. Samples were analysed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy coupled with image analysis and microanalysis, and by cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. In addition, the concentration and the solubility degree of Fe and other metals of potential health effect (Mn, Zn and Pb) in the bulk samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Overall, the results indicate substantial changes in quartz crystal structure and texture when passing from the raw material to the airborne dust, which include lattice defects, non-bridging oxygen hole centres and contamination of quartz grains by metal and/or graphite particles. All these aspects point towards the relevance of surface properties on reactivity. Exposure doses have been estimated based on surface area, and compared with threshold levels resulting from toxicology. The possible synergistic effects of concomitant exposure to inhalable magnetite, quartz and/or graphite particles in the same working environment have been properly remarked.

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Acknowledgements

We thank G Vaggelli (Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, University of Torino, Italy) for SEM cathodoluminescence analyses, and S Becagli, R Traversi and R Udisti (Dipartimento di Chimica, University of Firenze) for ICP-AES determinations. Grammar and style check of the manuscript by B Doherty is greatly appreciated. The research was funded by the Istituto Nazionale per l’Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro (INAIL), and by Regione Umbria (POR UMBRIA FSE 2007-2013 Research Fund).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, University of Perugia, Via Duranti 93, Perugia, Italy

    Beatrice Moroni & David Cappelletti

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Siena, Via Laterina 8, Siena, Italy

    Cecilia Viti

  3. Dipartimento di Chimica, SMAArt Research Center, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, Perugia, Italy

    David Cappelletti

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  1. Beatrice Moroni
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Correspondence to Beatrice Moroni.

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Moroni, B., Viti, C. & Cappelletti, D. Exposure vs toxicity levels of airborne quartz, metal and carbon particles in cast iron foundries. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 24, 42–50 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.3

Keywords

  • magnetite
  • quartz
  • carbon soot
  • electron microscopy
  • exposure doses
  • multiple exposure

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