Abstract:
The presence of various contaminants in airborne dusts from metal mining sites poses obvious risks to human health and the environment. Yet, few studies have thoroughly investigated the properties of airborne particles in terms of their morphology, size distribution and chemical composition, that are associated with health effects around mining activities. This review presents the most recent knowledge on the sources, physicochemical characteristics, and health and environmental risks associated with airborne dusts from various mining and smelting operations. The literature reviewed found only one research on atmospheric dust associated with hydrometallurgical plants compared to a larger number of pyrometallurgical processes/smelters studies. In addition, there are relatively few works comparing the distribution of metals between the fine and coarse size fractions around mining sites. Our analysis suggests that (i) exposure pathways of metal(loid)s to the human body are defined by linking concentration data in human biosamples and contaminated samples such as soils, drinking water and food, and (ii) chitosan and its derivatives may serve as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for soil remediation, with removal rates for metal(loid)s around 70-95 % at pH 6-8, and as dust suppressants for unpaved roads around mining sites. The specific limit values for PM and metal(loid)s at mining sites are not well documented. Despite the health risks associated with fine particles around mining areas, regulations have tended to focus on coarse particles. While some air quality agencies have issued regulations for occupational health and safety, there is no global alignment or common regulatory framework for enforcement. Future research priorities should focus on investigating PM and secondary inorganic aerosols associated with hydrometallurgical processes and dust monitoring, using online metal(loid)s analysers to identify the driving parameters in the deposition and resuspension process.
摘要:
来自金属采矿场的空气中的各种污染物的存在对人类健康和环境构成了明显的风险。然而,很少有研究彻底研究了空气中颗粒的形态特性,粒度分布和化学成分,与采矿活动对健康的影响有关。这篇综述介绍了有关来源的最新知识,物理化学特性,以及与各种采矿和冶炼作业产生的空气粉尘相关的健康和环境风险。文献综述发现,与大量的火法冶金工艺/冶炼厂研究相比,只有一项与湿法冶金厂相关的大气粉尘研究。此外,有相对较少的工作比较金属分布之间的细和粗尺寸部分周围的矿区。我们的分析表明(i)金属(类)对人体的暴露途径是通过将人体生物样品和土壤等受污染样品中的浓度数据联系起来来定义的,喝水和食物,和(ii)壳聚糖及其衍生物可以作为一种环境友好且具有成本效益的土壤修复方法,在pH6-8时,金属(loid)的去除率约为70-95%,并作为采矿地点周围未铺砌道路的抑尘剂。采矿现场的PM和金属(类)的具体极限值没有得到很好的记录。尽管矿区周围的细颗粒存在健康风险,法规往往集中在粗颗粒上。虽然一些空气质量机构已经发布了职业健康和安全法规,没有全球协调或共同的执法监管框架。未来的研究重点应集中在调查与湿法冶金过程和粉尘监测相关的PM和二次无机气溶胶。使用在线金属(loid)分析仪来识别沉积和再悬浮过程中的驱动参数。