Particulates Nation's Cleanest Cities 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 µm (PM 10 ) Fine particles – µm (PM 2.5 ) Ultra fine particles – ( 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? PM 10 PM 2.5 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 exposure Type and toxicity Concentration Size of particulates Activity level and breathing rate Age and overall health

Individualized Effects Allergies Asthmatics

Which particles do you think travel farther? PM 10 PM 2.5

How far do you think PM 10 particles can travel? 25 miles100 feet 500 miles

How far do you think PM 2.5 particles can travel? 100 feet 25 miles500 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 ) 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/m 3

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

Summary of Metal Toxicities dietary essentials sensitizers carbonyls metal fume fever Burton lines mental effects carcinogens bad odors oddities