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Size-resolved characterization of particles >10 nm emitted to air during metal recycling

Lovén, Karin LU ; Isaxon, Christina LU ; Ahlberg, Erik LU ; Bermeo, Marie LU ; Messing, Maria E. LU ; Kåredal, Monica LU orcid ; Hedmer, Maria LU orcid and Rissler, Jenny LU (2023) In Environment International 174.
Abstract

Background: In the strive towards a circular economy, metal waste recycling is a growing industry. During the recycling process, particulate matter containing toxic and allergenic metals will be emitted to the air causing unintentional exposure to humans and environment. Objective: In this study detailed characterization of particle emissions and workplace exposures were performed, covering the full size range from 10 nm to 10 µm, during recycling of three different material flows: Waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), metal scrap, and cables. Methods: Both direct-reading instruments (minute resolution), and time-integrated filter measurements for gravimetric and chemical analysis were used. Additionally, optical sensors... (More)

Background: In the strive towards a circular economy, metal waste recycling is a growing industry. During the recycling process, particulate matter containing toxic and allergenic metals will be emitted to the air causing unintentional exposure to humans and environment. Objective: In this study detailed characterization of particle emissions and workplace exposures were performed, covering the full size range from 10 nm to 10 µm, during recycling of three different material flows: Waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), metal scrap, and cables. Methods: Both direct-reading instruments (minute resolution), and time-integrated filter measurements for gravimetric and chemical analysis were used. Additionally, optical sensors were applied and evaluated for long-term online monitoring of air quality in industrial settings. Results: The highest concentrations, in all particle sizes, and with respect both to particle mass and number, were measured in the WEEE flow, followed by the metal scrap flow. The number fraction of nanoparticles was high for all material flows (0.66–0.86). The most abundant metals were Fe, Al, Zn, Pb and Cu. Other elements of toxicological interest were Mn, Ba and Co. Significance: The large fraction of nanoparticles, and the fact that their chemical composition deviate from that of the coarse particles, raises questions that needs to be further addressed including toxicological implications, both for humans and for the environment.

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author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Aerosol, Nanoparticle, Occupational exposure assessment, Sensor, Waste treatment, WEEE
in
Environment International
volume
174
article number
107874
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:36934572
  • scopus:85150285982
ISSN
0160-4120
DOI
10.1016/j.envint.2023.107874
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d706dc3c-5ae7-4be7-934a-cc29ec9ba0e1
date added to LUP
2023-04-24 13:33:30
date last changed
2024-06-15 02:08:42
@article{d706dc3c-5ae7-4be7-934a-cc29ec9ba0e1,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: In the strive towards a circular economy, metal waste recycling is a growing industry. During the recycling process, particulate matter containing toxic and allergenic metals will be emitted to the air causing unintentional exposure to humans and environment. Objective: In this study detailed characterization of particle emissions and workplace exposures were performed, covering the full size range from 10 nm to 10 µm, during recycling of three different material flows: Waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), metal scrap, and cables. Methods: Both direct-reading instruments (minute resolution), and time-integrated filter measurements for gravimetric and chemical analysis were used. Additionally, optical sensors were applied and evaluated for long-term online monitoring of air quality in industrial settings. Results: The highest concentrations, in all particle sizes, and with respect both to particle mass and number, were measured in the WEEE flow, followed by the metal scrap flow. The number fraction of nanoparticles was high for all material flows (0.66–0.86). The most abundant metals were Fe, Al, Zn, Pb and Cu. Other elements of toxicological interest were Mn, Ba and Co. Significance: The large fraction of nanoparticles, and the fact that their chemical composition deviate from that of the coarse particles, raises questions that needs to be further addressed including toxicological implications, both for humans and for the environment.</p>}},
  author       = {{Lovén, Karin and Isaxon, Christina and Ahlberg, Erik and Bermeo, Marie and Messing, Maria E. and Kåredal, Monica and Hedmer, Maria and Rissler, Jenny}},
  issn         = {{0160-4120}},
  keywords     = {{Aerosol; Nanoparticle; Occupational exposure assessment; Sensor; Waste treatment; WEEE}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Environment International}},
  title        = {{Size-resolved characterization of particles >10 nm emitted to air during metal recycling}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.107874}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.envint.2023.107874}},
  volume       = {{174}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}