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.

Sugar dust poses significant risks in the sugar industry, threatening workers\' safety and health as well as the potential for explosions and fires. The combustibility of sugar dust arises from its small, lightweight particles that disperse easily and ignite readily. Effective management strategies are essential to ensuring a safe work environment and preventing accidents. This perspective article provides an overview of sugar dust management in the global sugar industry. Various methods are employed to collect and manage sugar dust, including dust collectors, air handling systems, and proper housekeeping procedures. Advancements like electrostatic precipitators, high-efficiency particulate air filters, and self-cleaning dust collection systems show promise for future management. Utilizing both artificial intelligence and nanotechnology can also contribute to minimizing the concentrations of sugar dust in facilities. Stringent regulations and guidelines exist to control dust explosions in the industry. Implementation of robust safety measures and training programs significantly curbs the economic and environmental toll of sugar dust explosions. The paper concludes with recommendations to address sugar dust challenges, including enhanced regulation, investment in technology and research, and improved collaboration among industry stakeholders. These measures will mitigate hazards, ensure worker well-being, and safeguard the sugar industry\'s operations.

Rat lungs and lung-associated lymph nodes from 14 inhalation studies with chemically different particulate materials were histopathologically re-evaluated, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) data and lung burden analyses were compared. All investigated substances caused similar lesions. For most substances, 1 mg/m3 of respirable particulate matter was established as the borderline for adverse morphological changes after the 90-day exposure period, confirmed by the increase in polymorphonuclear neutrophils in BALF. Possible reversibility was demonstrated when recovery groups are included in the study especially allowing the differentiation between regeneration or progressing of inflammatory changes during the recovery period. It was concluded, that the major driver of toxicity is not an intrinsic chemical property of the particle but a particle effect. Concerning classification for specific target organ toxicant (STOT) repeated exposure (RE), this paper highlights that merely comparing the lowest concentration, at which adverse effects were observed, with the Classification Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation (EC) no. 1272/2008 guidance values is inappropriate and might lead to a STOT classification under CLP for a large part of the substances discussed in this paper, on the basis of typically mild to moderate findings in rat lung and lung-associated lymph nodes on day 1 after exposure. An in-depth evaluation of the pathologic findings is required and an expert judgement has to be included in the decision on classification and labeling, evaluating the type and severity of effects and comparing these with the classification criteria.

Green production, which reduces hazardous industrial discharges per unit output, is promoted throughout China. The Environmental Kuznets Curve suggests a negative correlation between hazardous industrial discharge and economic growth due to green innovation. This study expanded the EKC framework by including heterogeneity in evaluating the relationship between hazardous industrial discharges and economic growth to reflect green transformation. Administrative ranking disparity is identified as one of the fundamental driving forces of green production transition in a developing country. Building on an enriched EKC framework, we used a spatial estimation model to exclude spatial effects and obtained accurate estimates of the classified regions. The modified research method was used to examine whether industrial pollution has been reduced in 267 cities and towns in China from 2007 to 2021. Environmental protection performance was examined to estimate whether there is a switch to green manufacturing. As industrial hazards are of different types, the author sought to determine whether there was a decrease in industrial sulphur dioxide emissions, wastewater, solid waste, or dust, even though more industrial hazards were recycled than before. The spatial estimates indicated that (a) the national level of pollution remains positively linked with the total output, and every percentage of output growth increases sulphur dioxide emissions by 444.573 tons; (b) a positive relationship between economic growth and wastewater is altered by environmental protection in cities, while the general decoupling between economic growth and other types of industrial pollution, such as solid waste and industrial dust, was not observed; (c) growth in the southeast was decoupled from sulphur emissions, and its sulphur dioxide production per unit of output increased to 0.021 tons. Sulphur dioxide emissions per unit of economic growth along the southeast coast were 379. 048 tons, which was well below the overall average of 444.573 tons. High-income towns along the southeast coast have achieved clean production breakthroughs, realising a 15% reduction in industrial sulphur dioxide emissions by 2021. Although there were signs of a shift toward clean manufacturing in high administrative ranking cities, most regions of China are transitioning to environmentally friendly manufacturing and suffer from the hardships of green production transformation.

To assess the potential health risk caused by heavy metals twenty-six blood samples were collected from plastic industry workers based on ages and smoking status in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Heavy metals were analyzed with an atomic absorption spectrometer. The mean concentrations of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) found in blood samples of the exposed workers were 32.78 ± 9.47, 1.08 ± 0.47, 1.42 ± 1.01, and 9.08 ± 1.95 μgL-1, respectively. The average heavy metal concentrations in blood samples of smoking workers show a narrow range of fluctuation than that of non-smoking workers. A review of different age groups of industry workers shows the workers between the ages of 26 and 40 are more likely to contaminated with Pb (35.90 ± 8.06 μgL-1) and Ni (1.61 ± 1.31 μgL-1). The higher level of Cd (1.26 ± 0.46 μgL-1) and Zn (9.91 ± 2.80 μgL-1) was found in >40 years old workers. The mean concentration in indoor dust samples of different industrial subsections reported as 40.27 ± 10.33, 3.24 ± 0.83, 18.08 ± 3.61, and 103.64 ± 8.16 mg kg-1 for Pb, Cd, Ni, and Zn, respectively. Exposed workers have relatively less critical health implications concluded from the average daily intake (ADI), hazard quotient (HQs), and hazard index (HI) values. The HI values of Pb, Cd, Ni, and Zn were reported as 2.0 × 10-2, 4.64 × 10-4, 1.62 × 10-3, and 5.49 × 10-4, respectively, which have imparted minimal risks (as HI < 1) to the health of the workers. The cancer risks of Pb, Cd, and Ni were reported as 1.46 × 10-10, 1.77 × 10-9, and 1.31 × 10-9, respectively lower than the threshold values. Therefore, the result divulged a potentially lower cancer risk compared to EPA limit value of 1 × 10-6 to 1 × 10-4 for exposed industrial workers.